I was just wondering why i didnt see more people using v-bands with how easy they are to work with over using a bolt and nut or a stud and nut. Are there any downside to vband? Any upsides to used a standard bolt setup?

Thanks
~Luke

 

v bands can leak, but I plan to use one to mount my exhaust to the turbo.

 

V-band initially easier to install - a LOT easier.
Conventional bolted flange will mate better if you remove it a lot.
V-band is a royal pain to remove if it's been on the car for a long time (several months) - you basically gotta replace the V-band clamp with a new cause the original is going to be corroded like hell.
The V-band was designed for "racing" where things are not left intact for days on end.
I've seen very THIN flared flanges on a lot of V-band pipes nowadays which might account for the leaking problems 82streetracer mentioned.  Damn, that's some NICE buds!


-Ted

 

What about stainless bands, do they still get all screwed up.

are the flange ones usually cheaper?

thats the only reason I was going with v band. it looks alot cleaner than the flange ones,IMO.

BTW, thats a flowering White Widow, at about 3-4 months.

 

I've had my V-Band for AGES(over a year and a half) and have had no problems with corrosion.

Before that, I had a 4 bolt flange that was the biggest pain in the ***. It would take me over 30 minutes to get all 4 bolts off...but with the V-Band, all you need is an 11mm deep socket/ratchet and a small prybar/ball peen hammer. Use the prybar to pry the clamp off of the flanges and then the hammer to tap the prybar into the hard to get places. Now it takes me maybe 2 minutes to get the V-Band off.

To check to see if your V-Band is leaking, put some wheel bearing grease on the inside of the V-Band Clamp before you attach the flanges/clamp together. As soon as you start the engine up, you'll hear if it has leaks or not. If it doesn't have leaks, you're good to go and the grease will burn off in a few hrs. If it does have leaks...it's not your V-Band.

 

All the v-bands I have seen and used are stainless and have never had any corrosion problems, the fasteners on the v-band don't get cooked like they do directly on the flanges, the reason most heavy trucks use them is for simplicity, and to get rid of having an exhaust gasket to blow out between the flanges, they are also pretty much self aligning.. I have never had my v-band clamp leak...Max

 

We must be getting the crappy ones!



-Ted

 

All the V-Bands I get and use are stainless flages AND stainless clamps. V-Bands are great, no damn gaskets to replace and removal of the DP is 1 nut away from dissconnected. There are 2 general sizes I have come accross, theres a thin stainless and VERY thick stainess flange kit also. I use the thick on my personal stuff.

~Mike............

~Mike.............

 

This is not always true, welding can cause the flanges to warp if your not careful and the two surfaces wont mate up correctly.

-Sean

 

where can one get v band clamps? thanks

 

Any more comments regarding V bands positive or negative. I am considering going this route. However, I would like a larger sample besides the 5 individuals who have shared their experiences.