07ctd

is there a sound difference between aluminized and stainless exhaust being that they are a different metal? and which one is going to last longer?

oscaroc

I think the stainless will last longer. How long? I don't know. Enough to offset the cost? possibly.

I wouldn't think they would sound much different.

Raspy

It depends on a number of factors.

Aluminized is cheaper and a very good choice. But if you do some welding on it you will begin to get corrosion at the weld area. If not it will last for a long time.

Stainless comes in many grades and 304 is the minimum grade for reasonable corrosion resistance. 409 stainless rusts and pits, but not as bad as regular mild steel. A stainless down pipe from the manifold can take more heat than an aluminized one that might burn off the aluminum. Even the stock Dodge downpipe is stainless and the rest of the system is aluminized. So you should at least use stainless for that pipe.

304 stainless would be my first choice because I like stainless in general and I do modify systems sometimes. It's cheaper than 316 stainless and has good corrosion resistance in exhaust systems. If you weld on a stainless system with 309 or 316 stainless rod you'll have very little corrosion to worry about. Maybe some crevis corrosion, but not much.


John

snoyes

Down there in Texas I don't imagine you have much rusting problems? I ran my aluminized on my Ford for 2 years in Alaska, and while it was wet, it didn't rust. Road salt is a killer, and now I have moved to Illinois, I am starting to see it rust. Interesting enough when installing my exhaust I accidently cut a piece too short, and had to use a buddies 4 inch piece that was stainless he had lying around on my exhaust. Looking at the exhaust today, that piece has stayed rust free, so I know the stainless will hold up better. Just my .02

07ctd

thanks for your 2 penny's. i might just get the stainless for the long haul.