alternative to the downpipe clamp *update 25/07/10*
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi, does anyone use an alternative to the modded metro turbo exhaust downpipe clamp with any success? im getting fed up of taking ages fitting mine for it to then blow..

seen this on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORG-1x-2-Turbo-Exhau...=item20af66b202

would this work?

cheers.

Edited by MarkGTT on 25th Jul, 2010.

I've used a Vee band clamp but just a standard mild steel one, one from my local exhaust centre to get the size right (58mm as they are measured at the outside of the raised bit of the downpipe) and a spare from eBay.

They are common on Renault and Citroen apparently.

I wouldn't say they are any easier to fit with the engine in the car as they have to be stretched over the join (I used it because it takes up much less space, and I need all the space I can get for all the dual wideband plumbing) but it should certainly seal better.

What I would really like if anyone made it would be the same design as the later A+ engines with the hinged clamp with a single bolt.... but I can't find them in a large enough size.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

I've used one of these for a couple of years now. Unlike like Rod, I find them alot easier to fit than the standard clamp and I reckon it creates a better seal.

cheers chaps, worth a try then!

i welded mine up a couple of years ago as i was fed up with grazed knuckles and blowing exhausts! took abit of trial and error tacking it on to get the angle right but saves alot of hastle now. only problem is to get it on and off you have to take the pot joint out to feed it up from underneath but for the few times it comes off still easier than the dam clamp!

right - i can never get this thing to seal properly.. i dont really want to weld it up, what are my alternatives?

i have reverted back to the metro clamp, can i sleeve the downpipe or stick something round the joint before the clamp?

cheers.

Its been mentioned on here before, but I find that tack welding the heads of the bolts to one side of the clamp and using the long brass nuts from the exhaust manifold studs (from Minispares) instead of the standard ones makes it much easier.

i seem to be able to tighten it up (larger side on the elbow) but it still blows.. its a crap design.

not sure why i have so much trouble with it.

Have you ground the clamp out to suit the 2" downpipe or do you have a 1 7/8's DP?

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

Glad its not just me that has trouble with the damn down pipe clamp.

The only way i have stopped it blowing it a smeer of exhasut paste on the inside of the clamp and on the mateing face of the elbow and downpipe, then tightlen the nut up as tight as i can , whilst wiggling the downpipe every time the clamp gets a bit tight so it seats correctly.

Iv welded the bolt to the clamp, but i think ill defo be buying some deep nuts though, good idea.

yep, just to be sure its ground out side up?

down i think :)

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

Grind it out where it fits around the downpipe. Weld the bolts in as mentioned, mine is easy to fit or maybe i have the knack now :)

modded side down Mark :)

It used to fit fine when it was on my old car if you're still using that one?

i used to have an old diff cover locktab over the bolts which worked pretty well to stop em spinning.

Like the locktab idea, but it still doesn,t stop the little buggers from slipping back when you go to put the nuts on !

Never had an issue with this item all I have done is to tack weld the bolts into one half of the clamp.

The smallest smear of exhaust gum on the flange, locate the down pipe and flange and use the trolly jack to keep them together. the rest isno harder that getting the nuts on the exhaust and inket manifold.

Own the day

cheers chaps looks like i am putting it on the wrong way up then.. ffs.

Nick - yeah still using the one i had from you and your locktab idea.

I have no trouble fitting it, it just blows - might help if i put it on the correct way! lol.

Oh crap forgot that the greater diamiter fits up! Had to check tha myself not just last week.

Looking down on it you should see this


here you can see the smaller radius of the left hand flange which has grinding marks on its face sorry for being slow with this

Edited by Mr Joshua on 26th Jul, 2010.

Own the day

know its an old topic to pull back up but i'm in the same boat, been looking at the v clamps and just want to make sure i'm getting the right thing before i buy it, this is what i've been looking at

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-5-Stainless-V-...6#ht_2528wt_989

can only find the 2.5 inch ones on ebay but hoping this will wind down enough to seal as i'm using a 2 inch down pipe

cheers

The most you will get out of that is quarter of an inch at best, just checked one of mine and a three inch one.

Own the day