IHADAV8.com - Turbo Buick Tech, and Nonsense

Tech Area => General Buick Tech => Topic started by: gordyzx9r on May 07 2018, 02:23:06 PM

Title: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: gordyzx9r on May 07 2018, 02:23:06 PM
I went down a rabbit hole with t-bolt clamps...

Is any brand really better than any other?

Most of the sites say to measure inside diameter of the pipe to determine size, but when I read reviews people say that got them all screwed up and got the wrong sizes.

What's a good range of different sizes to have on hand?
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: earlbrown on May 07 2018, 03:02:44 PM
The problem with T-bolt clamps is their range of motion is nowhere near that of a worm clamp.   In other words, you have to get REALLY specific with the sizes.  You have to make sure the bolt doesn't bottom out before full clamping force is applied (and on the other side, being able to start the bolt in the first place).

To make it worse they usually size them based on the OD of the solid pipe plus the guesstimated thickness of the coupler.  For example a 3" clamp is actually around 3-1/4" in real life ID.

When I started doing my MAF pipes and custom up-pipes it was a nightmare to find sizes that actually work in real life.  ESP since a turbo bell is bigger than 3" much like an LT1 sensor.

Moral of the story, it takes multiple orders to get the size.   Even more if you hate a bunch of exposed threads when you tighten them down
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: nocooler on May 07 2018, 05:16:34 PM
https://www.racepartsolutions.com/ (https://www.racepartsolutions.com/) Is good to deal with on that stuff. They used to have a turbo Buick hose/clamp kit.
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: TexasT on May 07 2018, 06:19:01 PM
I just ordered a bunch of them in similar sizes so I didn't have to pay shipping twice. Also have extras for that sun afternoon project.
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: gordyzx9r on May 07 2018, 11:33:12 PM
The problem with T-bolt clamps is their range of motion is nowhere near that of a worm clamp.   In other words, you have to get REALLY specific with the sizes.  You have to make sure the bolt doesn't bottom out before full clamping force is applied (and on the other side, being able to start the bolt in the first place).

To make it worse they usually size them based on the OD of the solid pipe plus the guesstimated thickness of the coupler.  For example a 3" clamp is actually around 3-1/4" in real life ID.

When I started doing my MAF pipes and custom up-pipes it was a nightmare to find sizes that actually work in real life.  ESP since a turbo bell is bigger than 3" much like an LT1 sensor.

Moral of the story, it takes multiple orders to get the size.   Even more if you hate a bunch of exposed threads when you tighten them down

Don't the worm clamps have issues with contraction though when things heat up/cool down?
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: earlbrown on May 08 2018, 01:40:15 AM
Worm clamps suck because it's VERY easy to overtighten them just a little too much and ruin them.

They do have a huge range of motion though.  A 3" worm clamp might have 3 inches of slots.  A T-bolt might have an inch.
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: daveismissing on May 08 2018, 01:53:42 PM
Gordy may be on to something. Postulating and drawing imaginary diagrams :
While the bands are about the same material and length they loosen off the same when hot but the bolt on the
T-Band might lengthen reintroducing an offsetting tension?

Hey Mod: a dunce icon but no light bulb icon?
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: reality on May 08 2018, 02:06:58 PM
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Rotor-Clip-CTB-35ST-FK-Self-Compensating-35-mm-Constant-Tension-Band-Clamp-With-Dorrlflake-Finish-44-Pack-10-Pieces/PRD3QNWWJPL0CTS?cmpid=sem_pla_google_en_none_PRD3QNWWJPL0CTS_10006201253255341165_None

https://www.globalindustrial.ca/p/plumbing/hoses-and-hose-fittings/hose-clamps/constant-torque-clamp-1-1-16-min-2-max?infoParam.camp aignId=T9F&gclid=CjwKCAjwlcXXBRBhEiwApfHGTTCSJ_u5eJNyOQzKvRVILlfD_o0N6KZR0o-HkbnML8bA_69FHv8UThoCqj0QAvD_BwE
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: reality on May 08 2018, 02:20:13 PM
If you want to get fancy
https://www.murraycorp.com/clamp/constant-tension/constant-tension-turbo-seal-clamps-tss/

Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: earlbrown on May 08 2018, 02:22:11 PM
Gordy may be on to something. Postulating and drawing imaginary diagrams :
While the bands are about the same material and length they loosen off the same when hot but the bolt on the
T-Band might lengthen reintroducing an offsetting tension?

Hey Mod: a dunce icon but no light bulb icon?


this is the first I've heard of the backong off problem.    I really can't imagine there's much a change in clamping forse due to underhood heat...    but if there is, they'd get tighter.   Aluminum expands at twice the rate of steel.   If you have an aluminium MAF pipe/TB/intercooler outlet and a SS clamp on top of it, the inner peice will grow more than the clamp will.
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: gordyzx9r on May 08 2018, 10:11:46 PM
These people seem to think the worm is better than the t-bolt.

https://www.amsperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Worm_Gear_Clamp.pdf (https://www.amsperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Worm_Gear_Clamp.pdf)

Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: motorhead on May 09 2018, 07:55:01 AM
eBay specials on my stuff.
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: good2win22 on May 09 2018, 08:52:16 AM
Amazon specials for my clamps
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: Top Speed on May 09 2018, 10:20:00 AM
I am at the point of, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  I have all regular hose clamps that seem to be working pretty good at 25 psi!
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: gordyzx9r on May 09 2018, 11:41:16 AM
I have a variety of different styles that came with the pipes, FMIC, etc.  and i just wanted to standardize them.

We blew off the up pipe on the dyno.  Luckily the hood was open so no war wounds.  When we tightend up the t-bolt clamp it snapped. 
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: motorhead on May 11 2018, 08:16:33 AM
Build boost braces to anchor the pipes.
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: gordyzx9r on May 11 2018, 11:14:04 AM
Error
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: Grumpy on May 11 2018, 04:46:44 PM
All our junk has RJC's.  :cool; I just don't like the look of a "T Bolt".
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: nocooler on May 11 2018, 05:16:48 PM
Cool thing about worm clamps; you can connect them together to make a bigger clamp - like zip ties. This trick has saved my ass a few times at the track.
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: gordyzx9r on May 13 2018, 11:08:43 AM
Amazon specials for my clamps
What I meant to say...was this is what I went with.
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: gordyzx9r on May 13 2018, 11:09:56 AM
All our junk has RJC's.  :cool; I just don't like the look of a "T Bolt".
RJC racing?  I was just on his site...all I see are T-bolt clamps.
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: Grumpy on May 13 2018, 06:38:44 PM
dmmm... don't have any pics of them.. Ill post some when I get home in a few weeks.
Title: Re: T-Bolt Clamps
Post by: ULYCYC on May 14 2018, 07:33:32 AM
Been using constant torque worm clamps since I owned turbo cars. They also been using them on HD trucks and buses since they been equipped with turbos/superchargers.  They hold for 60lbs of boost and that's good for me :icon_eyes: I also never damaged a pipe or hose with them.  https://www.amazon.com/Breeze-Constant-Torque-Stainless-Worm-Drive-Diameter/dp/B009SD0B6S/ref=pd_sim_328_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B009SD0B6S&pd_rd_r=B7RWS98WKPRE5J6KYJHR&pd_rd_w=QND8O&pd_rd_wg=eWxBb&psc=1&refRID=B7RWS98WKPRE5J6KYJHR (https://www.amazon.com/Breeze-Constant-Torque-Stainless-Worm-Drive-Diameter/dp/B009SD0B6S/ref=pd_sim_328_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B009SD0B6S&pd_rd_r=B7RWS98WKPRE5J6KYJHR&pd_rd_w=QND8O&pd_rd_wg=eWxBb&psc=1&refRID=B7RWS98WKPRE5J6KYJHR)
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