So... I bought my vehicle used, and it came with a Buschur TBE, presumably installed by the previous owner. Today I was trying to make a yellow arrow and took a turn rather spirited (though... I must admit... nothing crazy) and all of a sudden... my car gets loud. Like... external O2 dump loud. And then I hear it... the exhaust dragging.

I get under there and the exhaust is fine, but the muffler detached at the clamp (what are these clamps called?). I check Buschur's site and see that the exhaust is supposed to be installed with a band clamp.

1. Why is this?
2. Has anyone else had their Buschur muffler disconnect?
3. The car sounds BAD *** with no muffler (btw).

So I'm thinking of having a flange welded onto the muffler and also having a straight pipe with just a tip welded onto it. Then I can swap them as I please?

tl;dr... why is my exhaust clamped on?

 

that would be either a v-band clamp or a slip fit clamp

 

They use the band clamps(presumably) to make manufacturing them easier. They know each pipe needs "x" bends in it at certain angles. Simple. And to eliminate the need to ensure that each flange is also perfectly welded angle wise - they use vbands or these band clamps.

I have never had a band clamp fail once installed.

I have also never had a band clamp work a second time and not leak after being installed once.

 

+1 Just buy another band clamp. The car's previous owner probably didn't have it tight enough. They hold quite well.

 

band clamps are used to minimize cost, flanges are expensive

 

Band clamps give you more adjustability for getting the angle and position of the muffler and tip just right, plus the overall set-up is lighter. I've had both slip fit and flanges and much prefer the band clamp approach. It's also much quicker to remove a band clamp than it is to mess around with a 3-bolt flange with a ratchet, extensions, etc.

The key is to tighten a new band clamp WITH AN IMPACT WRENCH and take care of the ends of the pipes so everything fits together easily.

You can find those SS band clamps at NAPA, truck supply places, etc. They are usually about $8.

 

You can get them in everysize at your local NAPA!

 

Wail on the band clamp with an impact gun. It has to super tight.