First question: is there any way I can get a fully welded cat-back exhaust to fit into my car, allowing all trunk/windows to close and having arm room in the front? (I'm hoping that I can fit the bends into the trunk, and have the straighter part of the exhuast go through the seat.)

Second question: If there is no way to fit it into the car, should I hack saw it in half (any suggestions on the best place?), and is there a way to utilize clamps to hold the exhuast together without leaking? Or would it need to be rewelded to have no leaks? Basically, if this doesn't fit, I will sharpie lines on the piping where I will cut so that I will have a reference to clamp it back straight. I would be getting a custom mandrel bent 2.5" exhaust with 5th gen muffler for dirt cheap if I can pull this off, but that also means I want to limit the amount of shop charges that I could avoid. Ideally, I would be able to fit this in my car and install myself in the summer, or cut and clamp the exhaust, and install myself too.

Any input? I've never heard many things about using clamps, but a friend mentioned it to me today, so I wanted some other suggestions. Thanks.

 

Does anyone see a problem with cutting the piping in half, and using a clamp to reconnect it? I just looked on 350ztech.com after googling, and borla uses clamps for their exhaust on 350z's, so it can't be that bad. I just don't want any leaks, and I will use exhaust gasket sealant probably if I go this route.

 

you cant get a fully welded cat back on or off the car in one piece, so no matter what you must cut it. best thing to do is cut it in 3 and get short sections of pipe thats larger and clamp it back together. once you get the fit 100% have it welded back.

 

I wonder how the hell this guy I might buy it from got it off his car then....damn. Gotta ask. They sell clamps online that are called: 2.5" Coupler Clamp for butt joint
Using one (or two) of these, is there any way to get around welding? Can these become air/gas tight, perhaps using a gasket/exhaust sealant?
I'm baffled how he got it off his car then...

JSutter, where do you suggest I cut then? If I go a two piece method, or three piece (cut once or twice). Is it feasible to only cut the catback in two and install it?

 

well at the least you will need to cut it like the stock parts. even then the b pipe will be rather large. i used some parts from the local auto store to fix my b pipe to muffler. for like $5 it does the same thing as that auction.

sure its not as pretty but its the same thing. get some red rtv and use it in conjunction with the clamps for what should be a long lasting seal. hell stillens b pipe uses pretty much the same idea to make it 2 piece. http://www.greghome.com/Greg's%20Garage/1999%20Nissan%20Maxima%20SE/StillenB-Pipe.htm

 

Thanks a lot Jon, that helped a ton. I'm not really worried about the length anymore - as I will have him cut where the stock b pipe ends. That should be straight enough to fit through the rear seat. Thanks for the pic and cheaper suggest, that's a much better solution, thanks a lot.

 

I'd suggest a stainless exhaust band clamp. They don't pinch any of the tubing, so you can easily get the pieces back apart again if you wish. It's what they use on hot rods and stuff.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...011678/c-10101

these things work really well, are relatively inexpensive, won't rust, and come in a bunch of sizes

 

Take your back seat out and cut it in two pieces, atleast the bottom cushion, to avoid messing up seats. Cut it right after the first bend before it goes over the axle, straight piece easy access.