skidude

iTrader: (3)

Which is recommended by the masses in here to hold the parts of my exhaust together: V-bands or flanges and gaskets?

My exhaust needs some work and I want to replace the cheap clamps I have on there now while I'm at it. I'm kind of leaning toward the V-bands but they are a lot more expensive so if anybody can give me a good reason to go with the flanges I'll gladly keep some of my money.

m2cupcar

iTrader: (5)

V-bands would be my choice, but I'm too cheap. The 3-bolt 3" collector flanges and gaskets come up on eBay for dirt cheap if you're patient. For example I picked up two copper gaskets and four flanges for $24 delivered to do my magnaflow muffler install and didn't use but half of it. Ended up putting the other copper gasket at the cat/downpipe.

The advantage of vbands is adjustability, simple install/deinstall, and good seal. That said, I've never had any issues with my flanges.

Qckslvr

iTrader: (6)

are we talking about down pipe to the turbo? Or down pipe to cat, to the rest of the system? After watching a few cars at Laguna Seca having to re-tighten there flanges after a run I would recomend V-band for the turbo to down pipe. but for the rest of the system I would use slip fit with a preformed band clamp. We use these in the trucking industry all the time without fail. I have used them on my Mustang, TR4, 240Z, etc. Then you don't have to weld on flanges, buy expensive V-clamps, or worry about gaskets.

m2cupcar

iTrader: (5)

What kind of tool do you need to produce a slip fit on your pipes? I tried the impact gun spreader on the 16ga steel and it couldn't do it at 90cfm. Otherwise you're buying and welding slip fits.

skidude

iTrader: (3)

I'm talking about the downpipe to cat connection, and the cat to axle-back connection. I built my exhaust in three parts.

JayL

iTrader: (12)

V-bands is what I would recommend.

mrtonyg

iTrader: (1)

Once you go V-band you never go back.