Ok, I have the pacesetter quick trip coated long tube headers, race style for my 95 firebird. The clamps they gave me suck, so I am getting band clamps. But, I measured the clamps they provided, and they are 3 1/4" ID. I looked in jegs, and they only sell 3" and 3 1/2" and they say they are ID/OD. So, which one do I get, the 3" ID/OD, or the 3 1/2" ID/OD? Anyone been here, done that? What did you do? I dont really want to guess and end up that they were the wrong ones, ya know?
Thanks
Cody

 

There are two different kinds of band clamps. You have slip fit type, and butt fit type.

If you are running the Pacesetter Y pipe, you need the 3 inch slip fit type. Normally the ones listed in summit/jegs are the butt type. I ordered mine from summit, but had to call and get them because I couldnt find them online

The butt type are just a flat band, while the slip fit type have a slight change in OD so that it clamps tightly on both pipes.

 

oh, so it seals around both pipes, not just the outer pipe? Yeah, they are the slip fit. So, what I am asking, is does the clamp itself rest on half of the outer pipe, and half on the inner pipe?

 

Bump...I need to know this too, I have the same headers, same dilema

 

One time at band clamp...

Listen to atljar. I had the regular flat clamps and they leaked.

 

cmr0z28, are you talking about the stupid crap ones pacesetter includes, or the butt type band clamps? I wish I went to band clamp to watch her put that flute there...

 

butt type....got 'em from NAPA for $10 each.

The regular U-clamps from Pacesetter distorted the pipes when I tightened them.

 

^that was why I didn't want to use them dumb cheap ones from pacesetter. But, I never knew they had "stepped" ones. I may have to go to the exhuast shop today to see what they have too!

 

U clamps are far superior to the band clamps. The band clamps will get brittle over time and break. I have had this problem happen to me first hand. I use the U clamps where I cannot get my welder into place and weld.

 

Why does it say this thread got moved? It was already in the LT1 forum to begin with?!?!

 

Yes thats correct. Half will be on the Y pipe and tight, and half will be on the header and tight.

 

well, I ordered the 3inch ID and 3 inch OD clamps from jegs, they assured me it should work...

 

They will - that is exactly the set-up that I am running. And to the person who said that u-clamps are superior, I disagree because it is a PITA how they kink the $*** out of the exhaust pipes. Band clamps make exhaust work far easier. I guess it is just a matter of preference but I have been very happy with my band clamps.

 

well, I have used band clamps on the daily driver, the "corvettica" Corsica + corvette. (I have dual quad exhaust tips in the center and also the four corvette taillights..) and the exhuast distorted, and plus they rust to sh*t and you can't take them off. RETARDED. So, hopefully these stainless steel stepped band clamps do the trick for me... my fingers are crossed.

 

i have the same set-up, and i bought band clamps from NAPA. They get the job done for just over 10 bucks a pop. they're about 4 in wide, and fit over the 3 1/4" OD of the header and y-pipe. they cover on half of the y and half header. work great leak free.