I'm upgrading a street/track car exhaust system. I'm thinking of going from SS band clamps to SS V clamps.

They are not cheap, seem relatively heavy, but look to clamp/locate/seal well.

I wonder fr the different brands are interchangeable.

Anybody like or dislike, and any up or downsides I should take into account.

I understand they were invented/patented by Zeppo Marx of the Marx Brothers in the 30's?

Can you explain why you want to change? Have you had issues with the band clamps? I've never used them but was considering it on my Dart. I have three different brands of muffler to try. I'd like to be able to swap out mufflers easily to find the sound I'm looking for. Regular clamps would crush the pipe and make it difficult.

To use V clamps the pipes must have an adapter or lip to clamp to. For clamps while testing different mufflers I stick with the wide band clamps.

They are great I like them much better than wide band clamps, they are just less forgiving. I used some cheap stainless headers on my v8 Jeep. I cut off the collector flange welded on v bands and made a stainless system with them. put a couple more so I can remove the exhaust in pieces. No gaskets, no leaks. I did strip the threads on one clamp but I bought the cheapest ones I could find. The 2-1/2” had a larger, better bolt/nut than the 3”. I am not sure if they are all compatible. Takes no time to remove the exhaust.

I bought some cheap ones from Amazon to make part of my exhaust system more easily removed for trans service. Best thing i have done hands down, if my headers weren't coated I would chop the ends off and put these on also.

I’ve used several different brands over the years. Like anything you get what you pay for. With that being said Vibrant ones are cheap and seem to hold up well.

Don’t weld in one revolution. Some brands will warp easier.

Most I’ve seen all are a little different where they seal. The steps are different, or the “v” is sometimes a little thicker.

I recently built a turbo system for my '69 Super Bee, and used several brands of clamps and flanges together successfully.

Some of the brands of flanges will have self-locating grooves on them, with a male and female side. Those might not be compatible between brands if the grooves have different dimensions. Also a flange with a male groove will obviously not work with a flat flange.

I used the flanges and clamps from this place and have been happy with the quality for the price. The clamps are quick-release, which makes assembly and disassembly a bit easier.

https://monkeyfabgarage.com/collect...pipe-connectors/products/v-band-assembly

There are numerous manufacturers of V-Band clamps, & they come in many different configurations - A, B, C, dimensions, etc. The main manufacturers of these are Breeze, R-G Ray, Clampco, etc.

There are V-Bands that clamp two flared ends of pipe together - you do not necessarily need to weld machined ends on your two opposing pipes.

Three main reasons in my case.

1. The muffler will be very close to fuel tank/rear diffuser, and I must maintain proper positioning, and felt the v clamps will do that well

2. The needed clamps will be in the vicinity on the intakes for the trunk mounted cooling air intakes, and I'd like to reduce reliably any chance of exhaust fumes getting sucked in by using a well sealing clamp system.

3. When at the track, I'd like an easy changeover solution to take the muffler out of the exhaust path, and v clamps seem better for a reasonably quick solution by just having a v clamp straight pipe replacement.

Thanks for all the replies, sounds like they are workable for me.

So my perception of "heavy" might not be very accurate in this case.
I included on the scale a short piece of typical 2.5" tubing with the band clamp because that is the tubing needed in the band clamp slip joint, and the fact the V clamp reduces the amount of 2.5" tubing needed by approx 1".

ie, the V Clamp weighs less, disregarding the needed SS welder filler needed to install.

1lb .2oz vs 1lb 1.9 oz

I'm working on my tailpipes/muffler install. I'm piecing/welding mandrel bends together with v clamp connections where needed. I'm working by myself, on jack stands. The V clamps are a major pain to mock up with only two hands. It really takes two hands to assemble the clamp in place, and then some how you have keep the pipe in the correct position, since the clamp requires a perfect alignment to clamp, its tough.

as i have never used band clamps of any type, what has been your experience with using both the "butt" style [two pipes of the same size] and the "overlap" style [where the one pipe is inserted into the mating pipe] ?
sorry for semi-hijacking this post.

I have used the band clamps a number of times and they work great. It is best to have the ends of the pipes butted together and to retighten the clamp after a few days. After that forget about it. As for the two size clamps just have an inch or so overlap in the pipes and you are good to go. You should retighten those also. They make it very easy to install electric cutouts etc. Be sure you get the widest ones because the cheap short ones don't grab enough pipe.

I have used band clamps for years of the overlap style, first on my semi trucks, and then on my cars. They work very well.
My choice here on v clamps was I was looking for a more precise repeatable solid connection, since my exhaust is near the fuel cell.
My problems in the previous comment I expect to only be an issue while fabbing, and after being welded, I will be able disassemble and re install a lot easier.
We'll see.

thanks stumpy ! i was thinking about using hi-temp anti-seize at the joints as well, so it would be easy to disconnect if needed. especially at the od into id joints.

I used V bands in my turbo setup on the Fury. Positive location, can loosen up for wiggle room and not come apart, compact in their size vs other flanges and fastener is tangential to joint which can be really beneficial in packaging depending on your layout.