Muffler delete pipe question

[Shooter04]

I recently ordered this delete pipe and two 3.5" clamps for my stock exhaust....

99-03 Ford 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel Stock Muffler Delete Pipe

Got it a few hours ago and went to get it installed (no sawzall at home) and the first place i went to said it wouldn't fit unless it was welded in place. I didn't want to do this 'cause come inspection time i want to be able to swap the muffler back in, then back to straight pipe afterword's.

Anyways i went to another muffler shop down the road and same thing....they would either have to weld it in place or they would need about another foot of 3.5" exhaust pipe to make it fit with clamps.

Then to a third place a bit further away and same thing.....they would have to weld it in place.

Question is, isn't the pipe supposed to just clamp in place ready to go once the muffler is cut out? I held the pipe up to the muffler and it seems it's the right shape to just go in place no problems. What the heck

[SJB]

It looks to me that the ends of the pipe neck down instead of flaring out like you would need. If they flared out, then the stock pipe would slide into the ends of this pipe, and you can use clamps to attach it. This is how my Walker BTM muffler fit with clamps. Surprisingly, my Walker muffler was cheaper than just this straight pipe (a little surprising). Looks like in order to get that to fit with clamps (so you can take it out) is get a small union on each side.

Another option for you IMO to avoid any hassle with taking pipe in/out is just send that pipe back and go with a Walker BTM muffler for $46 plus shipping from Rockauto.com. It is a straight thru muffler for better performance and sound. You can just use clamps or weld it in. Not quite as loud as a straight pipe. But this way just leave it in and forget about it.

[Shooter04]

Well that's the thing, upon looking at it farther the openings of the pipe actually flare out, not in. The picture kind of makes it look reversed like the inside diameter is larger than the opening diameter. I talked to my bud today and he has a sawzall i can use tomorrow. So I'll go over to his place after work and we'll see if we can get this thing on.

Thanks for the advice though

[SJB]

Does the end of the pipe have notches grooved into them to allow to be clamped, or is it solid all the way around? They offer clamps on that link you posted. So it doesn't make sense that it would not bolt on for you. Obviously you will find out once you are able to hack the old muffler out of there.

[Shooter04]

Minor update

Couldn't get it in today way too busy. I'm off work tomorrow so the plan is to get it in tomorrow morning (waking up at 8 before it gets hot). But in it's place i just finished installing my DIY intake....and it's NICE . Love that turbo woosh

[JHALL]

Did you get this thing installed. Were you able to install this using clamps only?

This is exactly what I'm needing, if so.

Thanks, Jon

[Shooter04]

Yes it was installed but they ended up having to weld the side closer to the engine. The pipe was apparently too short to be clamped....not sure why but i was done arguing and just wanted it in. So basically it's clamped on one end and welded on the other. Total cost was only $45 so I'm happy.