Removing V band clamp at exhaust/manifold?

[PTP]

I took the bolt out and I've been tapping on it with a screwdriver and hammer but can't get it to loosen up. Is there a trick to get it off?

[DZnutz]

yes, if your tapping in the right spot you simply need more force

[PTP]

Thanks! I guess I was just being too soft. Gave it a few hard whacks and it is starting to come loose.

[darbgnik]

Lol,the trick is to get someone who doesn't own the car the do the whacking. They won't be as averse to extra force.

[Antonio@CalvoMotorsports]

use a 2' long pry bar, give it a good whack on the outer lip. Pops right off.

[Steve M]

Those things get wedged on there pretty good...I had a good 30 minute swearing contest with one on mine, but I eventually prevailed.

[PTP]

Those things get wedged on there pretty good...I had a good 30 minute swearing contest with one on mine, but I eventually prevailed.

So far my biggest struggle has been getting all the pipes fully seated on the new exhaust. I found it too difficult to connect up the manifold if I assembled it all at once. It was hard to line up the manifold connection and wrestle the V band. I finally got a way where I am connecting the cat/bend portion by itself which lets me more freely fight the V band, then I spray the outlet connection with some silicone lube. After that I slide on the muffler, extension and tip as one piece which lets me jam it into the rubber mount near the exhaust tip at the same time.

I'm terribly slow at car work I've never done before. I only have one side hooked up for today, but already it sounds so much better than stock. Has a nice snarl to it. I am installing the Stubby special I got from Parts Rack.

[Steve M]

So far my biggest struggle has been getting all the pipes fully seated on the new exhaust. I found it too difficult to connect up the manifold if I assembled it all at once. It was hard to line up the manifold connection and wrestle the V band. I finally got a way where I am connecting the cat/bend portion by itself which lets me more freely fight the V band, then I spray the outlet connection with some silicone lube. After that I slide on the muffler, extension and tip as one piece which lets me jam it into the rubber mount near the exhaust tip at the same time.

I'm terribly slow at car work I've never done before. I only have one side hooked up for today, but already it sounds so much better than stock. Has a nice snarl to it. I am installing the Stubby special I got from Parts Rack.

Yeah...getting everything aligned and seated can be a pain. I installed some high flows a couple months ago, and one of the pipes at the v-band connection wasn't big enough. so I had to crank on it with an exhaust pipe expander to get it to slide on. Once it is all back together, you'll forget all about the pain.

[7TH_SIGN]

With exhaust installs, it is best to connect all the pipes but do not tighten the clamps until everything is on. At least this is what I've always done with no issues.

[PTP]

With exhaust installs, it is best to connect all the pipes but do not tighten the clamps until everything is on. At least this is what I've always done with no issues.

You have more skills than I do! I was trying to prop it up on wooden blocks and use my toe to maneuver while I wrestled the V band. I just couldn't pull it off. Kept slipping and sliding every other way than where I wanted it.

I completely agree with keeping everything loose until it is all seated. That final adjustment is inevitable.

[7TH_SIGN]

You have more skills than I do! I was trying to prop it up on wooden blocks and use my toe to maneuver while I wrestled the V band. I just couldn't pull it off. Kept slipping and sliding every other way than where I wanted it.

I completely agree with keeping everything loose until it is all seated. That final adjustment is inevitable.

Actually I did what you did. Used a block of wood to assist in keeping the exhaust pipes/resonators at the correct angle. My two boys are to young to help and I used up all my "hey wife come give me a hand" vouchers. I literally get none.

[USCDOC]

Actually I did what you did. Used a block of wood to assist in keeping the exhaust pipes/resonators at the correct angle. My two boys are to young to help and I used up all my "hey wife come give me a hand" vouchers. I literally get none.

haha. Any estimate on time? I wanna put my hi-flows on tonight:dude3:

[BJG32]

haha. Any estimate on time? I wanna put my hi-flows on tonight:dude3:

First time around about 2-3 hours per side. You can easily do hiflows by yourself.

[1Koolasp 16ACR]

I Just Installed The High Flow Cats, From John B, Kept The Stock Muffler And It Sounds Great!!, Install Took Me 5 Hrs On My Back, Not To Bad, V Band Popped Right Off On Both Sides, Lucky On That One , The Sills Were a Pain In The Ass , Lining Up The Tip, But Went Well, Sounds Awesome With The Arrow PCM, Louder Decel Pop , Love It !! Gained A Couple Of Ponys , But The Sills Are Now Cool,And A Little Louder.:dancingman:

[SRT BILL]

Are you guys reusing the V band clamp? I thought I read somewhere not to reuse.

[BJG32]

Are you guys reusing the V band clamp? I thought I read somewhere not to reuse.

Yes....reused with no issues.

[Steve M]

Are you guys reusing the V band clamp? I thought I read somewhere not to reuse.

Reused mine as well...no issues.

[SRT BILL]

Thanks for the reply guys.