Aluminized or stainless exhaust ?

[Aarons Air]

I have ceramic coated headers. And stainless tips. I need everything in between. With our cars & the relatively little driving they see, is stainless better/ necessary, or mostly used for looks ?

 

[bm02tj]

If you heat your exhaust so it is dry every time you start the car you do not need stainless

 

[moes]

the aluminized steel has a protective coating that, if scratched off, may rust. I've used aluminized exhaust systems on my cars for years and they still look the same as the day they were installed. That being said I would go with the aluminized exhaust for the cost savings. Stainless is very expensive. The tubing in exhaust systems made from aluminized steel is typically thicker, which tends to offset any strength or weight advantage the denser stainless steel might have.

 

[moes]

here is a piece of aluminized exhaust that I cut out to install headers to my car this year, this exhaust system is over 12 years old and the car gets driven alot every year. Check out how thicK this pipe is and it is heavy to

 

[Aarons Air]

here is a piece of aluminized exhaust that I cut out to install headers to my car this year, this exhaust system is over 12 years old and the car gets driven alot every year. Check out how thicK this pipe is and it is heavy to

View attachment 634575 View attachment 634576

Thanks. So stainless is mostly for the coolness factor ?

 

[moes]

Thanks. So stainless is mostly for the coolness factor ?

more or less, stainless will last longer then aluminized, but for the cost factor, is it real worth the price. My aluminized exhaust system will out last me and the car probably!

 

[Fran Blacker]

Replaced my original H-pipe on my 66 Satellite 2 years ago. Probably should have done it much sooner. In the early 80's took it into work for a small repair. Guy made a dime sized before it wouldn't get larger, then closed it up.

 

[Officer Higgins]

I bought magnaflow stainless welded mufflers to replace the turbo style hemi mufflers that i put on 18 years ago, to my surprise the old mufflers were in pretty good shape. These old cars don't see much bad weather anymore alluminized pipes are very good.

 

[Officer Higgins]

I have ceramic coated headers. And stainless tips. I need everything in between. With our cars & the relatively little driving they see, is stainless better/ necessary, or mostly used for looks ?[/QUO what car do you have?

 

[Aarons Air]

It's a 68 coronet. With a 64 383. Schumacher tri y shortie headers

 

[5.7 hemi]

I run stainless from the headers back, cause I got s smoking deal on a Magnaflow complete system. My buddy uses higher temp ceramic paint on his system, looks good. Personal choice that you and your wallet need to make.

 

[Car Nut]

I bought a complete 304 stainless steel system from TTi manifold back for $1000 shipped. Stainless steel has a deeper sound (more muscle car sound) to it than your aluminized system does. If your car sits for a long period of time you want stainless. But if you plan on running your car everyday, even in winter, go with aluminized. Nobody carries 304 stainless but TTI. You can buy 409 stainless Magnaflow, but it will rust.

Go stainless steel and forget about it!

 

[Fran Blacker]

304 is the best 409 is magnetic if I remember correctly and is "cheap".

 

[1965ply]

How does anyone clean the aluminized, I have 3in with X pipe had a small oil leak now its baked on, that's where I think the Stainless is easier for up keep

 

[5.7 hemi]

Try Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish.

 

[dvw]

16 year old aluminized. Had to recoat

the headers. The pipes stayed better.
Doug

 

[Mike67]

Cheap chineseium stainless will rust, in this case you get what you pay for.
If you want you exhaust to look good you can still use aluminized....make sure who ever welds it is a welder and not a blotter....all the difference in the world.
Most joe blow shop will try to weld in place instead of taking the pipes down and doing a nice weld.

 

[BSB67]

I don't think country of origin is the difference.

409 is most commonly used in exhaust systems, it is a ferritic stainless, is magnetic and will rust. The choice between 300 verses 400 series stainless is cost/benefit. Northern states that use salt, 300 will hold appearance longer and better. I believe that most of the OEMs are using 409, and some are using aluminized 409.

That said, I'm amazed how well aluminized carbon steel holds up. If you are on a budget, probably aluminized carbon steel.

 

[BSB67]

I don't think country of origin is the difference.

409 is most commonly used in exhaust systems, it is a ferritic stainless, is magnetic and will rust. The choice between 300 verses 400 series stainless is cost/benefit. Northern states that use salt, 300 will hold appearance longer and better. I believe that most of the OEMs are using 409, and some are using aluminized 409.

That said, I'm amazed how well aluminized carbon steel holds up. If you are on a budget, probably aluminized carbon steel.

Hey, DeltaV please share with what, and why you disagree.