Should I weld this together?

MR-02 · 05-15-2020, 04:09 PM

So attached is a photo of the point where the GM catalytic pipes are clamped to my aftermarket cat back exhaust.

I understand normal water condensation in exhaust....but it appears to be leaking at the clamp. Same issue last year, I had it cleaned up and re-tightened but now same problem again. ....Why is this happening? Will this rot through?

Exhaust is stainless, but it is also magnetic, so there must be some iron content that will rust...right?

I can hear the exhaust leaking sound until the pipes warm/expand to seal it. So I want to ask the shop to just weld the whole area together.

Is this a good idea or bad idea?

KingLT1 · 05-15-2020, 04:35 PM

Swap the clamps with preformed band clamps and use Permatex ultra copper on the slip connection prior to installing the band clamps.

MR-02 · 05-15-2020, 05:42 PM

Hey thanks KingLT1, .....Last year, I asked about band clamps, they said the pipe starts curving too soon, and the band clamp is too wide, is that bs?
...But what are you thought on the welding idea?

s346k · 05-15-2020, 06:14 PM

you’ll have to remove almost the entire exhaust system to weld that connection. yes a weld is better but it’s gonna be a real pita.

JCunningham · 05-17-2020, 12:27 AM

these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

95 imp · 05-17-2020, 08:19 AM

I would rather have the condensation leak out a "weep hole" than puddle in the pipe until it is hot enough to be vaporized again.

MR-02 · 05-17-2020, 10:29 AM

Thanks JCunningham, ....I'll look into that

BDPhoto519 · 05-17-2020, 06:47 PM

Are those pipes 2.75", I was under the impression they were 3"

I definitely need to order some of these as mine have always had a small leak.

KingLT1 · 05-17-2020, 08:46 PM

Pipes are 2.75" and the clamps Jcunningham posted are what I was referring to.

JCunningham · 05-17-2020, 10:21 PM

yep factory is 2.75"

BDPhoto519 · 05-18-2020, 03:25 PM

Thanks guys, been dealing with the same exhaust leak for awhile now and its really getting old.

MR-02 · 05-19-2020, 08:39 PM

Hi BDphoto519, Have you tried those band clamps being suggested? Was the early curve in the pipe a problem for where the bolt needs to tighten on the band clamp?

BDPhoto519 · 05-19-2020, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR-02

Hi BDphoto519, Have you tried those band clamps being suggested? Was the early curve in the pipe a problem for where the bolt needs to tighten on the band clamp?

I just ordered them when they suggested them above... Shipping is painfully slow right now, especially across the border to us snowy Canadians!

I think they are going to be tight, but I will trim the clamps a little if I need too and wrap the connections underneath. The little 1" clamps that came with my header kit doesn't even come close to covering the 1.5" relief cuts in the flared pipe end. Ugh

I will post up when I try them out!

MR-02 · 05-21-2020, 06:31 PM

Thanks hope it works! Ill do the same

05-15-2020, 04:09 PM	#1
MR-02 Drives: 2016 2SS M6 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ONT Posts: 185	Should I weld this together? So attached is a photo of the point where the GM catalytic pipes are clamped to my aftermarket cat back exhaust. I understand normal water condensation in exhaust....but it appears to be leaking at the clamp. Same issue last year, I had it cleaned up and re-tightened but now same problem again. ....Why is this happening? Will this rot through? Exhaust is stainless, but it is also magnetic, so there must be some iron content that will rust...right? I can hear the exhaust leaking sound until the pipes warm/expand to seal it. So I want to ask the shop to just weld the whole area together. Is this a good idea or bad idea? Attached Images __________________ 2016 SS M6

05-15-2020, 04:35 PM	#2
KingLT1 Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 46804 Posts: 6,799	Swap the clamps with preformed band clamps and use Permatex ultra copper on the slip connection prior to installing the band clamps. __________________ 2016 NFG 1SS A8 Options-2SS Leather/NPP Perf. mods-Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel/103mm TB/Rotofab Big Gulp/Cat Deletes/Corsa NPP Per. times- 10.5 @ 137 w/ 1.8 60ft Full weight on 20's 1200DA

05-15-2020, 05:42 PM	#3
MR-02 Drives: 2016 2SS M6 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ONT Posts: 185	Hey thanks KingLT1, .....Last year, I asked about band clamps, they said the pipe starts curving too soon, and the band clamp is too wide, is that bs? ...But what are you thought on the welding idea? __________________ 2016 SS M6

05-15-2020, 06:14 PM	#4
s346k Drives: like an old lady Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: indiana Posts: 2,396	you’ll have to remove almost the entire exhaust system to weld that connection. yes a weld is better but it’s gonna be a real pita. __________________ 2016+ camaro: everyone’s first car

05-17-2020, 12:27 AM	#5
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1 __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

05-17-2020, 08:19 AM	#6
95 imp Dumb Ass Deluxe Drives: A Tricked Out Mountain Bike Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,959	I would rather have the condensation leak out a "weep hole" than puddle in the pipe until it is hot enough to be vaporized again. __________________

05-17-2020, 10:29 AM	#7
MR-02 Drives: 2016 2SS M6 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ONT Posts: 185	Thanks JCunningham, ....I'll look into that __________________ 2016 SS M6

05-17-2020, 06:47 PM	#8
BDPhoto519 Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada Posts: 90	Are those pipes 2.75", I was under the impression they were 3" I definitely need to order some of these as mine have always had a small leak. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Redline Edition

05-17-2020, 08:46 PM	#9
KingLT1 Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 46804 Posts: 6,799	Pipes are 2.75" and the clamps Jcunningham posted are what I was referring to. __________________ 2016 NFG 1SS A8 Options-2SS Leather/NPP Perf. mods-Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel/103mm TB/Rotofab Big Gulp/Cat Deletes/Corsa NPP Per. times- 10.5 @ 137 w/ 1.8 60ft Full weight on 20's 1200DA

05-17-2020, 10:21 PM	#10
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	yep factory is 2.75" __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

05-18-2020, 03:25 PM	#11
BDPhoto519 Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada Posts: 90	Thanks guys, been dealing with the same exhaust leak for awhile now and its really getting old. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Redline Edition

05-19-2020, 08:39 PM	#12
MR-02 Drives: 2016 2SS M6 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ONT Posts: 185	Hi BDphoto519, Have you tried those band clamps being suggested? Was the early curve in the pipe a problem for where the bolt needs to tighten on the band clamp? __________________ 2016 SS M6

05-21-2020, 06:31 PM	#14
MR-02 Drives: 2016 2SS M6 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ONT Posts: 185	Thanks hope it works! Ill do the same __________________ 2016 SS M6

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