Different brands of V-Bands?

[ForcedFirebird]

Looks like a good MIG weld from here.

[Jand3rson]

Thanks, but I can't take credit for them. My brother in law Andrew (NitroRustlerDriver) did them all, he's quite good.

[nando]

I have a couple of eBay v-bands. They are v-bands. Not really much more to it than that, they are holding up fine. I think you would be perfectly happy with them, and I can tell how much of a perfectionist you are!

this isn't true

the cheaper ones certainly have cheaper quality clamps. They're just made of lesser materials. also, the nicer ones will have a "ring" to seal the two peices together. the cheaper ones will just be flat, and are more likely to leak.

the cheaper ones work fine, though. I couldn't see spending $150 on clamps, mine are from silliconeintakes. Beware they are lower quality and don't overitighten them. also you need to add something to seal the two peices before you clamp them down, or they will leak. I used a little bit of high temp RTV. make sure you get all stainless..

[nando]

I think one thing people might be doing wrong is that they're welding the flange flush to the end of the pipes. What you're supposed to do is leave about 1/2" or so protruding past the flange on one pipe, and weld the other flange past the end of the other pipe the same amount, so it creates a male/female connection, and the flanges seal that joint.

that's a great idea. I didn't get to weld them myself, maybe next time..

[ForcedFirebird]

RTV on exhaust? Copper spray maybe, but I've always just clamped the cheap ones and haven't had leaks, even on turbo cars that I welded a v-band to the turbine. Warpage during welding is generally where leaks come from.

[nando]

Just a smear. it doesn't leak. I didn't do the welding so I really had no control over it. ;)

[Jand3rson]

the cheaper ones work fine, though. I couldn't see spending $150 on clamps, mine are from silliconeintakes. Beware they are lower quality and don't overitighten them. also you need to add something to seal the two peices before you clamp them down, or they will leak. I used a little bit of high temp RTV. make sure you get all stainless..

The clamps on these ones (Dynatech) are stainless, and the flanges are mild steel.