V-Band Clamp Assembly Comparison (1 Viewer)

[RUSH55]

Howdy!
I’m soon going to convert a pair of Sanderson shorty block-hugger headers from 3-bolt flanges to stainless v-band flanges(2-1/2”). Searched around for a couple days and found 3 common assemblies to choose from at somewhat fair prices. I prefer to go with what’s best for the money when I can.
The three I found were -

Vibrant Performance (~$75)
Stainless Bros (~$75)
Cheap Chinese on eBay (~$25 for 2)

Without a ton more wordiness, I’ll post the pics and let you be the judge.

 

[RUSH55]

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[deliverance]

In my experience, the machined flanges are going to seal. I bolt them together while welding to prevent any warping. The only issue I’ve had with Chinese v-bands, were the smaller bolt/nut. After several years of heat cycles, I had to pull a trans and the bolt snapped. Stainless Bros and Vibrant are going to be better quality stainless.

 

[RUSH55]

I’m not at all impressed with Vibrant. The flanges have least amount of overall material and their use of a carriage bolt on the clamp is cheesy.
The Stainless Bros clamp is the clear winner here, having the most material, best looking design characteristics and having a clamp with the most quality bolt.

 

[mudgudgeon]

View attachment 3689809

I would not use this style again. I'd stick with flat faces.

I found they distort with welding heat, and the raised lip ring and groove on the inner edge have too tight a tolerance to fit with any amount of distortion.

the raised lip / groove appealed to me as probably being more gas tight than two flat surfaces, but they were a pain in the ballbag trying to bolt them together after welding.

After realising they were problematic, i cut a shallow alignment notch on the outer edge of each pair before tacking them in place. Even being careful to keep heat low during welding and bolting sections together before final welding, they still warped.
Stainless steel expands a lot with heat.

 

[RUSH55]

I would not use this style again. I'd stick with flat faces.

I found they distort with welding heat, and the raised lip ring and groove on the inner edge have too tight a tolerance to fit with any amount of distortion.

the raised lip / groove appealed to me as probably being more gas tight than two flat surfaces, but they were a pain in the ballbag trying to bolt them together after welding.

After realising they were problematic, i cut a shallow alignment notch on the outer edge of each pair before tacking them in place. Even being careful to keep heat low during welding and bolting sections together before final welding, they still warped.
Stainless steel expands a lot with heat.

Did you band the assembly together when welding?

 

[mudgudgeon]

Did you band the assembly together when welding?

Yes

 

[Augustiron]

Are you guys TIG welding or MIG welding them on?

 

[RUSH55]

Are you guys TIG welding or MIG welding them on?

I TIG’ed mine