Hi Everyone,

I am in the middle of a cat bypass install, and I have a question regarding the exhaust clamps:

Do I "need" the OEM clamps at $50/ea from the P dealer, OR;
Can I just go buy some $11 aftermarket sleeved 2 bolt clamps from Autozone?


With both of mine, the nuts & bolts are rusted beyond further use. I have snapped one bolt completely off, and the two driver's side nuts are fully stripped (yes I used penetrating oil multiple times)

I am to the point where I will need to grab my cut off wheel to get these nuts/bolts off.

Most of the clamps I have found are 2.5".
With the extra .06" OD, will there be a leak, or are these designed to hold anything "around" 2.5" pipes?

There's about a $70 difference between OEM and aftermarket clamps, I'd rather not go buy $100+ for OEM clamps unless I absolutely need them.

Thanks guys!

Also, I have pics and video of the easiest way to remove that PITA upper bolt on the passenger side pipes, I will upload soon!

 

300+ views & nobody else has had this issue? Tough crowd!

Anyway, I found a solution to this, and for future thread searchers, I hope to save y'all a few bucks.

I thought I could just torque a generic auto parts store - 2.5" sleeve to have a tight seal, without success. It will however suffice until the proper sleeves get shipped & installed.
Even though it's just .06" difference, a 2.5" sleeve simply will not seal the exhaust enough.

I did a bit of research...
- Some Toureg's have the same 65mm x 95mm sleeve/clamps.
- Pelican Parts had these for $15/each! Same exact size Porsche clamps for $50/each? No thanks.
- Part #: 1K0-253-141-J-M183

I'll submit pics & report back as to how they fit when they get shipped & installed.

 

I am about to tackle this job as well. How did the touareg sleeve clamps work out?

 

OEM perfect fit, a little bit of a gasket sealant on both of the pipes before sliding on and I was good to go in 2 minutes.

 

Great, thanks! I ordered the circuit werks pipes and will grab the clamps and gaskets as well to do this over the weekend.