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Author Topic: T-Bolt Clamps  (Read 10575 times)

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Offline gordyzx9r

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T-Bolt Clamps
« 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?
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Offline earlbrown

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #1 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
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Offline nocooler

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #2 on: May 07 2018, 05:16:34 PM »
https://www.racepartsolutions.com/ Is good to deal with on that stuff. They used to have a turbo Buick hose/clamp kit.
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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #3 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.
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Offline gordyzx9r

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #4 on: May 07 2018, 11:33:12 PM »
Quote from: 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

Don't the worm clamps have issues with contraction though when things heat up/cool down?
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Offline earlbrown

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #5 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.
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Offline daveismissing

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #6 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?

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Offline reality

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #7 on: May 08 2018, 02:06:58 PM »
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Offline reality

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #8 on: May 08 2018, 02:20:13 PM »
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Offline earlbrown

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #9 on: May 08 2018, 02:22:11 PM »
Quote from: 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?

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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.
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Offline gordyzx9r

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #10 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

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Offline motorhead

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #11 on: May 09 2018, 07:55:01 AM »
eBay specials on my stuff.
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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #12 on: May 09 2018, 08:52:16 AM »
Amazon specials for my clamps
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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #13 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!
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Offline gordyzx9r

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Re: T-Bolt Clamps
« Reply #14 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. 
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