I have ordered a set of Pacesetter Ceramic Coated long tubes for my 5.3 and I was wondering what you guys did to connect the y-pipe to the collector on the header? I have seen a link for the clamps, but I was just wondering what is teh best painless way to connect them together and not worry about an exhaust leak.

Also I was on youtube and seen a clip of a Chevy RCSB with Pacestter long tubes and true dual Bassani mufflers. What is everyodies opinion about them? How do they flow or and what not? I'll post a link to the clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKshh...eature=related

 

Torctite stepped 3" band clamps and wrap the joint with aluminum foil first. That's as good as you can get with a clamp. Of course, if the pipes dont fit together well it's going to leak. I'd go ahead and get the Flowmaster ball and socket's welded in.

 

band clamps will work just fine.

 

no leaks from my band clamps. I like the Walker Mega clamps, but the Acceseal clamps allow a little more flexability like on the passenger side collector on the pacesetters and the LPPs like I have. The placement of the O2 bung doesn't allow the use of a stepped band clamp. You run into this on inlets/outlets of the mufflers as well. The accuseal clamps are not stepped, but when you torque them down, they will "mold" to the slip and seal rather well. I used high temp, sensor safe, copper based rtv. it makes removal slick as well.

 

I am using dynatech V-clamps.

 

I seen the Dynatech V-clamps. I thought about using those at the headers and then some band clamps on all other connections in the y-pipe. But since i have to go to the muffler shop anyways I should probably have the yipe welded all together to ensure no leaks.

 

+1 on the Walker Mega clamps, mine don't leak either. If you have your ypipe welded you will probably never get it back off without cutting it. I just cut a notch in my band clamps to clear the 02 sensor.

 

V-Bands!!!!!!!!! That is what i run, no leaks, no gaskets!!!

 

This stuff works well, I used it on the slip joints for my StainlessWorks headers and y-pipe with the supplied band clamps. Good to hear that it aids in removal too, as I have to remove the y-pipe eventually when I swap my trans, and again when I do my LQ9 swap

 

I used Walker band clamps for my collectors, Y-pipe, and to attach my intermediate pipe; I can't complain, after changing out one due to a poor slip fit on my ORY that caused a leak, I haven't had a problem.

Just be sure retorque them after a few heat cycles and you'll be Golden. There is a higher possibility of leaks if your slip fit isn't tight, but it's definitely the cheapest option.