3 bolt flange or v-band style?
 

I am looking ahead about a month or so and going to start buying my exhaust parts. Question is, what would be better. the classic 3 bolt flange style for my exhaust or the v-band style? Reason I am looking into this is because I do not want to have a permanent exhaust. If i need to get at something, I want to remove anything I can to not sacrifice usability with functionality. I was looking into the 3 flange, its sort of hard to come by those. I see them on ebay, but usually sold one at a time, and i will need 8 pairs i believe.
Where do you guys get your supply of flanges? I like the idea of v-band, but at around 20 bucks a pop, i can't reason with myself to spend that on flanges. unless you guys know where to get them cheaper. I was going to have an exhaust shop weld the flanges up when they bend my exhaust, but my buddy asked if he could do it since im helping with his bronco, well was... the frame is sitting on top of his dads f-150 and hes looking for 53 inch tires and i think rockwells for the axles... but any help on teh flanges would be appreciated.

I used ball and socket joints off the header collectors and 3 bolt flanges further down so I could take the pipes off to get to the trans

Summit sells the 3-bolt flanges under "collector rings." The gaskets you use for these are also very important. If the flange isn't perfectly straight, you will be better off using a soft metal gasket like copper or aluminum. Otherwise the carbon or composite gaskets should work, many of which are reusable.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/D...s/?Ns=Rank|Asc

http://www.summitracing.com/search/D...e/?Ns=Rank|Asc

I see V-bands on ebay for 10 bucks a piece. I'm considering them for my reworked exhaust that I hope to get done soon

i used both Vbands (off the headers) and 3 bolt flanges on the other piece of my exhaust. IMO the key to getting the 3 bolt flanges to seal good is doubling them up and welding 2 of them together to make 1 thick flange. that is what i did and I have zero leaks. As posted above i bought "collector rings" from summit.

Doubling them up is definitely the way to go, as they can warp very easily...I like the looks of the v-bands though, just don't have any personal experience with them yet...

hopefully someone with experience posts up. I just want to be able to remove the exhaust when I break this nv3500...

I have v-bands off the headers and never had a problem after a year and a half, never even had to tighten them up

Im pretty sure GMCtrk would recommend a slip-joint..:D

After using Band clamps. Welds, then 3 bolt flange I'd go with Ball and Socket hands down.
No gasket, Tight seal, and you don't have to worry about the bolt being too close to the pipe to get a damn socket on it. :bang: