flanges

[86lance]

so im going to be putting my exhaust back together soon. I dont want a cat. Since i live in illinois though i need to have one for emissions testing. So i want to flange the cat and downpipe so i can remove it after emissions and put in a test pipe for more power. I have access to a mig welder and a plasma cutter so can i just make some flanges out of some 3/16th or 1/4 inch flat steel? And just weld the flat flanges onto my downpipe/cat?

[Anonymous_User]

Order two sets of collectors from Summit. They are cheap. Short piece of pipe with a three bolt flange just like on the end of a V8 header. Weld one to your downpipe, one to your exhaust pipe, and two to your cat.

Of course, then you will need two more for the "test pipe".

Why not just flare the pipe on the downpipe and exhaust pipe so it slides over the cat (or vice versa). Install a couple clamps (just tight enough not to fall off). When testing is over, remove cat and replace with test pipe. Would be cheaper.

[86lance]

because im not sure when i have to go to testing and it would be a pita to try and get the pieces apart without flanges

[MiniMoparKing]

+1 on the PITA part. Go with flanges!

[Aries_Turbo]

use stainless band clamps from NAPA.... butt the pipes together, slide the clamp and tighten. EASY AS PIE! i have a few of these under my car in various places.

Brian

[87glhs232]

Mike-
Use the 1/4 if your going to make the flanges. And if your not going to have a gasket, use 3 bolts minimum.

[BadAssPerformance]

use stainless band clamps from NAPA.... butt the pipes together, slide the clamp and tighten. EASY AS PIE! i have a few of these under my car in various places.

+1 to the SS band clamps

Check out my test pipe tech (http://www.badassperformance.com/mtech/testpipe.html)

[87glhs232]

Wow...those ARE cool. I'll keep those in mind....

[86lance]

yeah i went with the band clamps and have most of the exhaust built in my garage right nowand shud be ready for install sometime later today. Whats nice is i can easily install a cutout later on if i want to. Simplifies the fact i dont always want to run my catylytic converter,lol

[BadAssPerformance]

Cool.

btw, were you still interested in the dynomax muffler and high flow cat I have?

[86lance]

nah sorry, i decided the best thing for this car was going to be something cheap,simple and homemade. The body is too rusty to warrant putting a nice system on it. Sorry for not getting back to you though.

[BadAssPerformance]

no problem... this system isnt that nice tho, lol

[86lance]

meh still better than what im doing right now. @.5 thermal wrapped downpipe to 3 inch piping. CENTER EXIT!!! .well not flow wise.lol