Factory Welds on Exhaust Pipes..How Strong..?

Hey guys, i have a 95 ford tbird with dual exhaust, a month ago i took off my mufflers, and replaced them with straightpipes-which i bolted on for a secure hold. That alone took off like 18lbs from the backend. Each muffler weighed like 12lbs=24lbs. Both straights only weigh 3lbs each.

Anyway, back to the question, how strong is the factory weld thats holding up my exhaust pipes (the pipes are 2 from the engine/then join/then 2 seperate out the back) in the middle. I see a 3/8 inch thick rod welded on them, and want to know if that is sturdy enough to hold up the 2 straights (6lbs total) without having the straights on hangers like the mufflers where..

BTW, the 3/8 inch rod looks rusted, but arent welds super strong..?

Proper welds are stonger than the material welded. As for the rods, they will hold up your exhaust all day long, but if the tails are bouncing when you're driving, even a little (and they are), the pipe will fatigue and break eventually. You should use hangers at the rear.

Definately use hangers, if the exhaust is bolted to the body, it will fatigue and crack pretty quickly. The engine shakes too much.

You can pick some up at NAPA or probably any other parts store. But i would recomend doing it sooner than later, have you ever bent a coat hanger till it broke?

Thanks guys, yeah i'm gonna put some hangers on these pipes. Lol, i don't wanna imagine my exhaust bottoming out doing like 65...yikes... I just thought because the straights weigh much less, that they didn't need to be attached to hangers like the mufflers.