Hey folks

I've recently installed a Magnaflow catback exhaust on my 2006 Monte SS. Problem is, all the parts connect with clamps. I've never used clamps before and there seems to be a lot of leaking.

How much air coming out is considered a leak? It seems like, with these clamps, a tiny bit of ambient air might be unavoidable. I heard somewhere that you have to tighten them REALLY REALLY tight to get a good seal.

(To be clear, the clamps are rings of metal with a tightening bolt, and the pipes are held together by sliding the one with the slotted wider end over the other)

Also, is there any sort of sealant I can put on that can stand the high temps of the exhaust?

Does anyone have experience with the install and exhaust leaks of the Magnaflow catback?

Thanks for the help. I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to stop these leaks without just tightening them even more.

 

The main cause of leaks is improper tightening. All exhaust bolts should be torqued to spec. Not using a torque wrench can lead to unequal tension and/or overtightening. Then once the metal becomes hot it tends to warp. If you have leaks at the band clamps you can run a bead of permatex high temp copper gasket maker on each side of where the pipes meet then tighten the clamp to spec. Applying some anti-seize to the threads will make removal easier in the future if you ever need to make adjustments or decide to change your system.

 

According to Magnaflow - the clamps should be torqued to about 60 ft/lbs.