Andy,
It's all in the grade of stainless. Most likely, your stock exhaust (and
mine too) is 304 stainless. Most of the aftermarket exhaust you'll see is
409, which is better as far as rusting goes. I don't proclaim to be a
stainless expert by any means, this is just my understanding. I think it
has to do with the nickel content in the steel that makes it harder, softer,
and more or less succeptible to rust. I can guarantee an aluminized pipe
will last waaaaay less time than your originals, and will rust through
faster.
I live in Ohio, so I feel your pain, and there's no way I'd spend any money
on an aluminized system over a stainless system. Powder coating could be an
option, but that would probably put the price over stainless anyway.
If you are really hurting for a better explanation of stainless steel
differences, try this:
http://www.sppusa.com/reference/white_paper/wp_ss.html
Jim Yeagley
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Levy <andylevy@yahoo.com>
To: <dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 12:09 AM
Subject: DML: Should my muffler be rusty?
> I was under my '99 this weekend and found that my entire muffler (well,
> what's visible) and most of the piping are very, very rusty - almost no
> metal visible. I thought my factory exhaust was stainless steel? I
didn't
> know stainless steel rusted!
>
> When I go for a cat-back, is it worth spending the extra cash on a
> stainless one, or will aluminized steel be OK, living in the snow belt of
> NY?
>
> --
> -andy
>
> http://home.twcny.rr.com/andylevy/ --- andylevy@yahoo.com
> -------------------------------------------------------------
> modesty, n.:
> Being comfortable that others will discover your greatness
> -------------------------------------------------------------
>
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