SW Retro Cat-Back Sealing Issues - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

14ZL1M6 · 07-30-2015, 11:13 AM

Hey guys,

Is there anyone out there that has installed the SW Retro Cat-back on their ZL1 and have experienced sealing issues where all the pipes join together? I have cranked down the clamps as much as I could with a long breaker bar for leverage and I can't seem to get them to seal. I used the clamps that came from SW. I have 4 areas where they are leaking and its driving me nuts. I'm about to order the really wide band clamps and use a whole heck of a lot of ultra copper on them. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

ValZL1 · 07-31-2015, 12:41 PM

Add some Flex Sections to the exhaust near the parts that line up with the cat outlets. Relieves the stress of mating two fixed exhaust pipes together and helps with sealing. Vibrant Performance makes TurboFlex connectors that will d the trick. I've used them many times before.

BTW, got any sound clips of your exhaust with (or without) headers? Would love to hear it!

Mike-ZL1 · 08-02-2015, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14ZL1M6

Hey guys,

Is there anyone out there that has installed the SW Retro Cat-back on their ZL1 and have experienced sealing issues where all the pipes join together? I have cranked down the clamps as much as I could with a long breaker bar for leverage and I can't seem to get them to seal. I used the clamps that came from SW. I have 4 areas where they are leaking and its driving me nuts. I'm about to order the really wide band clamps and use a whole heck of a lot of ultra copper on them. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

I have that system and love it I have had no problems try going for a ride get It nice and hot and tighten bolts again where are the clamps on the connection they should be at the end of pipe Good luck

Stainless Works · 08-04-2015, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14ZL1M6

Hey guys,

Is there anyone out there that has installed the SW Retro Cat-back on their ZL1 and have experienced sealing issues where all the pipes join together? I have cranked down the clamps as much as I could with a long breaker bar for leverage and I can't seem to get them to seal. I used the clamps that came from SW. I have 4 areas where they are leaking and its driving me nuts. I'm about to order the really wide band clamps and use a whole heck of a lot of ultra copper on them. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Sorry to hear its having a hard time sealing up, Is the system brand new? Try using some of the Silicone provided with the exhaust at purchase. Put some around the male side of the two tubes. This should seal any little areas that may be leaking.

14ZL1M6 · 08-04-2015, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stainless Works

Sorry to hear its having a hard time sealing up, Is the system brand new? Try using some of the Silicone provided with the exhaust at purchase. Put some around the male side of the two tubes. This should seal any little areas that may be leaking.

Thanks Chris for taking the time to speak with me this morning. I am going to try all of your recommendations this evening and I will let you know.

Stainless Works · 08-04-2015, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14ZL1M6

Thanks Chris for taking the time to speak with me this morning. I am going to try all of your recommendations this evening and I will let you know.

No Problem, Thanks for calling in and if you need anything else let me know Thanks

ValZL1 · 08-04-2015, 01:04 PM

Since Stainless Works chimed in..

Do you have any videos of a ZL1 with just the retro chambered catback, no headers? I have been very curious to hear that setup. Also, any concerns with the hot, 3" pipes getting close to fuel lines or anything under the car? Someone mentioned this before about the larger catback pipe sizes.

Stainless Works · 08-04-2015, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValZL1

Since Stainless Works chimed in..

Do you have any videos of a ZL1 with just the retro chambered catback, no headers? I have been very curious to hear that setup. Also, any concerns with the hot, 3" pipes getting close to fuel lines or anything under the car? Someone mentioned this before about the larger catback pipe sizes.

We have had no issues with the larger 3" exhaust tampering with the fuel lines. When the R&D was done we made sure there was ample clearance.

See Video, It does have clips of the Exhaust with and with out Headers.

ValZL1 · 08-04-2015, 01:22 PM

What time in the video is without headers? I cant tell since there are no prompts for each setup.

Stainless Works · 08-04-2015, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValZL1

What time in the video is without headers? I cant tell since there are no prompts for each setup.

The Yellow car never had Headers, So the Revs are Just the Retro. With the red car we did not get much video of it as the customer only did exhaust for about a total of maybe 10 minutes where we shot one drive by which is at 1:41. he wanted louder so we added headers and cutouts haha.

ValZL1 · 08-05-2015, 11:01 AM

Thx!

14ZL1M6 · 08-05-2015, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValZL1

Add some Flex Sections to the exhaust near the parts that line up with the cat outlets. Relieves the stress of mating two fixed exhaust pipes together and helps with sealing. Vibrant Performance makes TurboFlex connectors that will d the trick. I've used them many times before.

BTW, got any sound clips of your exhaust with (or without) headers? Would love to hear it!

Hopefully this link works:

https://www.facebook.com/justin.lohr...36057832692032

ValZL1 · 08-06-2015, 05:33 PM

Link not working

14ZL1M6 · 08-14-2015, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValZL1

Link not working

Alright, I broke down and created a youtube account!

https://youtu.be/3rwn_AQjsi8

07-30-2015, 11:13 AM	#1
14ZL1M6 Drives: 2015 ZL1 Coupe A6 & 2002 ZO6 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 246	SW Retro Cat-Back Sealing Issues Hey guys, Is there anyone out there that has installed the SW Retro Cat-back on their ZL1 and have experienced sealing issues where all the pipes join together? I have cranked down the clamps as much as I could with a long breaker bar for leverage and I can't seem to get them to seal. I used the clamps that came from SW. I have 4 areas where they are leaking and its driving me nuts. I'm about to order the really wide band clamps and use a whole heck of a lot of ultra copper on them. Any other suggestions? Thanks __________________ 2015 ZL1 A6 Coupe Crystal Red ATI Balancer w/9.55 (22.5%) lower pulley, FIC1000 Injectors, Stainless Works 2" headers, Stainless Works Retro Cat-Back, V-Max Ported TB, Roto-Fab w/Big Gulp, Elite 2nd Gen Catch Can, Jannetty Tuned. 581 rwhp

07-31-2015, 12:41 PM	#2
ValZL1 Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Posts: 112	Add some Flex Sections to the exhaust near the parts that line up with the cat outlets. Relieves the stress of mating two fixed exhaust pipes together and helps with sealing. Vibrant Performance makes TurboFlex connectors that will d the trick. I've used them many times before. BTW, got any sound clips of your exhaust with (or without) headers? Would love to hear it!

08-04-2015, 01:04 PM	#7
ValZL1 Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Posts: 112	Since Stainless Works chimed in.. Do you have any videos of a ZL1 with just the retro chambered catback, no headers? I have been very curious to hear that setup. Also, any concerns with the hot, 3" pipes getting close to fuel lines or anything under the car? Someone mentioned this before about the larger catback pipe sizes.

08-04-2015, 01:22 PM	#9
ValZL1 Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Posts: 112	What time in the video is without headers? I cant tell since there are no prompts for each setup.

08-05-2015, 11:01 AM	#11
ValZL1 Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Posts: 112	Thx!

08-06-2015, 05:33 PM	#13
ValZL1 Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Posts: 112	Link not working