How Solid Are Aftermarket Welds ?

hl0m4n · 06-11-2010, 12:20 AM

when you cut and have an exhaust pipe re-welded by a shop, how durable is the weld? will the weld be durable for all 4 seasons and longevity?

lets say if you take the oem exhaust and cut out the resonator and 2nd cat and replace and have a pipe welded.

just having second thoughts having welds done at a shop aren't solid.

help much appreciated, thanks.

ar design · 06-11-2010, 12:25 AM

Depends entirely on who does the weld

vase330 · 06-11-2010, 12:27 AM

Well I have AR DPs and the installer (local Tuner Shop) thought they were very high quality indeed. So far no issues.

a32guy · 06-11-2010, 01:01 AM

Yes I saw a set of AR's in person, very beautiful stuff. Nice work guys.

A proper weld with proper filler will be just as strong as a solid piece of material.

huyner328 · 06-11-2010, 01:13 AM

You want to look for TIG welds, some shops could be capable but you will probably find MIG which are good as well. Quality of weld, certain characteristics like consistent beading, no random intrusions like dust, grit, etc etc.

rbaldwin28 · 06-11-2010, 04:55 AM

It should look clean too, like a row of nickles.

06-11-2010, 12:20 AM	#1
hl0m4n Major General 2314 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NY iTrader: (58)	How Solid Are Aftermarket Welds ? when you cut and have an exhaust pipe re-welded by a shop, how durable is the weld? will the weld be durable for all 4 seasons and longevity? lets say if you take the oem exhaust and cut out the resonator and 2nd cat and replace and have a pipe welded. just having second thoughts having welds done at a shop aren't solid. help much appreciated, thanks. __________________ Cars: 07 335i ► 08 328i ► 11 328xi ► 13 M3 ► 17 M4 ► 14 M6 Last edited by hl0m4n; 06-11-2010 at 01:03 AM..
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06-11-2010, 12:25 AM	#2
ar design 302 Rep 4,408 Posts Drives: 04 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (9)	Depends entirely on who does the weld
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06-11-2010, 12:27 AM	#3
vase330 Colonel 103 Rep 2,760 Posts Drives: 19 E63S; 15.5 RangeRover ATB Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arlington, Va iTrader: (1)	Well I have AR DPs and the installer (local Tuner Shop) thought they were very high quality indeed. So far no issues. __________________ E92 335 \| Space Gray \| Saddle Brown Dakota \| Dark Burl Trim \| ZPP \| ZSP \| AT \| Idrive \| 6FL \| FBO \| Dinan CAI \| Quaife LSD \| STG3 PROCede.
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06-11-2010, 01:01 AM	#4
a32guy First Lieutenant 31 Rep 374 Posts Drives: AW 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (2)	Yes I saw a set of AR's in person, very beautiful stuff. Nice work guys. A proper weld with proper filler will be just as strong as a solid piece of material. __________________
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06-11-2010, 01:13 AM	#5
huyner328 Former N54 Fanatic 84 Rep 1,927 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NoVA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2014 Range Rover Sp ... [10.00] 2012 Fiat Abarth [10.00]	You want to look for TIG welds, some shops could be capable but you will probably find MIG which are good as well. Quality of weld, certain characteristics like consistent beading, no random intrusions like dust, grit, etc etc. __________________ FREE MIXES! https://soundcloud.com/djbradpiff
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06-11-2010, 04:55 AM	#6
rbaldwin28 Lieutenant 15 Rep 408 Posts Drives: E92 335i Sport Prem. White Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carlsbad CA and San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335I [0.00]	It should look clean too, like a row of nickles.
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