Exhaust welding

[VyperFox]

Not sure if this is the right place to make this post. But, just a simple questio, what amp of a stick welder can be used to weld and exhaust system?

Went to have it inspected before I tore it all down, and it didn't pass due to exhaust leaks

 

[My1GLaser]

If you weld with 3/32" rods then 60-65 amps should be plenty for 16 gauge pipe.

 

[VyperFox]

Thanks for the info. Was looking at a stick welder, but amps over 100 were like 200$. Was debating to do it my self or, pay this muffler shop 250 to just fix the down pipe, to pass inspection.

 

[9secSLC]

Thanks for the info. Was looking at a stick welder, but amps over 100 were like 200$. Was debating to do it my self or, pay this muffler shop 250 to just fix the down pipe, to pass inspection.

I would just go to Harbor Freight and get a cheap $99 MIG welder to do it. I've used them in the past and they worked just fine for exhaust piping.

 

[joescool2008]

I would just go to Harbor Freight and get a cheap $99 MIG welder to do it. I've used them in the past and they worked just fine for exhaust piping.

What he said. +1 wire should be easier to maneuver and you dont have to deal with the in and out factor just side to side. Should be easier for a novice.

 

[VyperFox]

I might just do that then, but this may sound like a dumb question, but, doesn't mig's need gas or will a flux cored wire be fine?. There's a harbor freight in my area. Thanks for the tip and advice.

 

[ChrisTheBuilder]

Flux core is just fine. Even with hard wire you can weld your exhaust without gas. It just won't be pretty or very strong. Harbor freight welder is the way to go for a cheap fix.

I can't believe they would want a ridiculous amount. Exhaust shops here would charge 50$ to replace the whole down pipe with a new stick.

 

[My1GLaser]

I have the one from HF. I got it for like $90 5 years ago. There are 20% off coupons all over the place for HF. They put the welders on sale often also.

My main complaint is that flux core mig spatters a good bit. You can still get a good bead and it welds fine, but its messy as hell. I stick weld at work every day and it is so much cleaner. They do sell a weld paste that you can apply near the area you are welding to keep the spatter from sticking.

I like the Lincoln wire from Lowe's better than the chicago electric wire that comes with the welder.

 

[VyperFox]

The first shop I went to wanted 540$ to fix my exhaust, on top of keeping my cat and making it a straight pipe, had the tell them, "he was out his damn mind".

I don't mind spending a Lil bit extra, or working with something hard to use, as long as it gives me a good quality repair, and is more beneficial in the long run.


If mig can get me a strong enough weld, then I'll go that route, or if stick can do it better then mig I'll go that route too, but other limiting factor I have for a welder is, the house is only wired with. 15-20 amp breaker and 115-120 v

 

[My1GLaser]

That will be fine for a small buzz box like you're wanting.

 

[VyperFox]

thanks for all the advice from all. I will be going through my old receipts to find out exactly what size is my high flow manga flow cat, what would be the ideal diameter for this dsm, 1g NT 2.0, i had thedsmgraveyard bore out the block so now its a 2.2 non stroked.

Before i tore out the old exhaust, because all the welds cracked off , i think it was stock at 1.5 - 2.0 I.D, then i got a direct bolt on, pacesetter 2.5. as for the cat, ill be looking for my old receipt to check on the diameter of it.

would it be best to go back to stock diameter, or go with and ideal diameter. when i engines out, depending on how much its pissing me off, ill be converting it to turbo, and yes, i have read all over its best and more economical to just buy a turbo 6bolt and drop it swap it.

but even knowing how much of a pita and its not worth it, i think ill still do it, for the sheer fun, and hell of it.

ill be shooting for at first for around 200-300whp, then work up, any advice on components. currently ill be considering on a 2.4stroker kits some one suggested earlier, simply being........ i would like to be able to have to engine go to 10k rpm. and of course i wont be launching with that crazy rpm, i would like to drive for a while, without having to worry about something break too soon.

but, then again, a 10k rpm 2.0 sounds right up my ally too, assuming if its possible.

thanks for all the help in advance.