Pro’s and cons of stainless exhaust
Pro’s and cons of stainless exhaust Originally, I planned on going stainless with my exhaust upgrade. The performance shop I have been dealing with lately has persuaded me to re-evaluate this, though. Are there any considerations I am missing? My car is a fair weather driver only.
Stainless vs. mild steel:
Stainless is more expensive.
Stainless looks nicer.
Stainless headers add more heat to the engine bay, compared to ceramic coated mild steel.
Stainless resists rust better; will last longer.
Stainless steel is more temperature-sensitive to embrittlement; less flexible.
If I am missing anything, please feel free to comment. Thanks.
Stainless vs. mild steel:
Stainless is more expensive.
Stainless looks nicer.
Stainless headers add more heat to the engine bay, compared to ceramic coated mild steel.
Stainless resists rust better; will last longer.
Stainless steel is more temperature-sensitive to embrittlement; less flexible.
If I am missing anything, please feel free to comment. Thanks.
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Originally Posted by bsf
Stainless headers add more heat to the engine bay, compared to ceramic coated mild steel.
I'm just curious, but what did the performance shop say to make you re-evaluate your choice of going with stainless steel? Was it b/c stainless is more expensive? If so, that should be the only reason why you should choose mild steel over stainless IMO. I wouldn't get the mild steel unless you are on a very tight budget and just want LTs now. Going stainless is a wise investment especially if you plan on keeping your car for a long time.
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Go to another shop then.
Mild steel is pretty crappy and will likely rust fairly quick. Low milage cars are often far worse, as there are few things worse for a car than just sitting doing nothing. Water will be inside the exhaust as much as outside.
Some claim bad things about stainlees steel but I've only ever seen it from people who don't have a stainlees steel setup and are trying to justify it.
If you don't think you'll keep the car long then get mild steel. 12 months to 3 years is a sensible time to expect it to last.
If the car is for keeps get stainlees and don't worry about replacing it.
Mild steel is pretty crappy and will likely rust fairly quick. Low milage cars are often far worse, as there are few things worse for a car than just sitting doing nothing. Water will be inside the exhaust as much as outside.
Some claim bad things about stainlees steel but I've only ever seen it from people who don't have a stainlees steel setup and are trying to justify it.
If you don't think you'll keep the car long then get mild steel. 12 months to 3 years is a sensible time to expect it to last.
If the car is for keeps get stainlees and don't worry about replacing it.
Cost and availability are the only downsides. Stainless exhaust is just like putting Fikse wheels or something on your car, it's a crowd-pleaser. 
I'm about to have stainless headers into a mild steel y-pipe into a stainless catback.
I'm about to have stainless headers into a mild steel y-pipe into a stainless catback.
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TECH Apprentice
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Originally Posted by 00pewterWS6TA
i dont think there are any cons on stainless products.
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From: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*
Originally Posted by Z2K_MrJ
The ONly CONS i see here Are the People you are Dealing with. for them to tell you its not worth it is just well RETARTED..
" RETARTED " .............[ RETARDED ] 
Last edited by NHRAMAN; Jun 29, 2006 at 12:11 PM.
I thank you all for the responses. I will have to do more research on the engine bay heating effect of ss headers. The shop is giving me advice that conflicts with suggestions from elsewhere.
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Sounds to me as if this shop is only looking at sales and markup on what they sell. It's possible they don't have access to any suppliers giving decent markup on stainless kits as a reseller whereas there are tons of suppliers who wholesale coated and non-coated systems with a better markup.
Buy a stainless kit yourself and get someone to install it for you. I have American Racing headers, cats, and y-pipe. Previous to that was coated Jet Hots which looked like complete crap after two years never being driven in rain or snow. What a waste of money.
Get stainless.
Buy a stainless kit yourself and get someone to install it for you. I have American Racing headers, cats, and y-pipe. Previous to that was coated Jet Hots which looked like complete crap after two years never being driven in rain or snow. What a waste of money.
Get stainless.
Sounds to me as if this shop is only looking at sales and markup on what they sell. It's possible they don't have access to any suppliers giving decent markup on stainless kits as a reseller whereas there are tons of suppliers who wholesale coated and non-coated systems with a better markup.
Buy a stainless kit yourself and get someone to install it for you. I have American Racing headers, cats, and y-pipe. Previous to that was coated Jet Hots which looked like complete crap after two years never being driven in rain or snow. What a waste of money.
Get stainless.
Buy a stainless kit yourself and get someone to install it for you. I have American Racing headers, cats, and y-pipe. Previous to that was coated Jet Hots which looked like complete crap after two years never being driven in rain or snow. What a waste of money.
Get stainless.
Buy anyway, stainless all the way, does Kooks use anything but stainless? Tells you something right there
