Exhaust question

[70cobrascj]

Hello,
I’m looking to start buying the components to build my exhaust system with headers.
I basically just need to know if you can weld SS mufflers to aluminized pipe?
And if I decide to go all SS can I weld it with Mig welder without any special gases or guns?
Thanks

 

[midlife]

Welding stainless uses a different gas mixture than MIG gas for steel. Welding 2 different metals is likely not recommended...but what do I know?

 

[basstrix]

Do a search on dissimilar metal welding to get specifics on steel to sst. For MIG SST, I think you need tri-mix (He, Ar, CO2) but there are probably alternatives...especially with helium becoming harder to come by.

 

[70cobrascj]

Thanks
I’ll do some web searching on welding SS with a mig. I was looking at Flow master FX mufflers and it seemed they only come in SS. I have watched a bunch of shows with guys installing exhaust systems and most are using just a mig and what looks like SS tubing.

 

[Hemikiller]

I wouldn't weld mufflers in place. My preference is band clamps so they can easily be removed if necessary.

https://www.summitracing.com/search...rtOrder=Ascending&keyword=exhaust band clamps

 

[70cobrascj]

That’s true and I have thought about clamping the pipes to the muffler.
I could definitely use SS mufflers and aluminized pipe.
Thanks

 

[70cobrascj]

I wouldn't weld mufflers in place. My preference is band clamps so they can easily be removed if necessary.

https://www.summitracing.com/search...rtOrder=Ascending&keyword=exhaust band clamps

And I like those clamps that’s what we used on my kid’s challenger.

 

[clevelandcoupe]

+1 on the band clamps... I just took my exhaust after 3+ years and it all came apart very easy. Make sure you put never sieze on the fittings before assembling and installing the band clamps.
Thanks, Jay

 

[Cleveland Crush]

++ on the band clamps, they are the way to go for your mufflers

 

[lurbanow]

Do a search on dissimilar metal welding to get specifics on steel to sst. For MIG SST, I think you need tri-mix (He, Ar, CO2) but there are probably alternatives...especially with helium becoming harder to come by.

I just welded up my new mufflers, Flowmaster fx, which are all ss. All I use is a gassless mig.

 

[basstrix]

Hello,
I’m looking to start buying the components to build my exhaust system with headers.
I basically just need to know if you can weld SS mufflers to aluminized pipe?
And if I decide to go all SS can I weld it with Mig welder without any special gases or guns?
Thanks

I came across this article on flux core for welding stainless. I didn't read the entire article...maybe he mentions steel to sst?

https://welditmyself.com/stainless-steel-welding-wire-flux-core/