Is SS really worth it on exhaust?

[BlackbirdOfPrey]

I am contemplating 2 exhaust setups

Setup 1. 3" Mandrel bent exhaust (aluminized), high flow cat, aluminized 3" dp (local speed shop made exhaust, plus I get the dual, stock looking tip to keep my car a sleeper) $550

Setup 2. RNR special 3" mandrel bent turbo back for $499 (test pipe) adding SS costs 100 extra

I would prefer to keep my car street legal, but I live in an area where there is no emissions testing so I could probably get away with it.

Is stainless steel really worth it? I know that it holds up better against the elements and takes longer to corrode ( or is it not a noticable difference), but is there any other difference to justify the 100 bucks?

 

[leakyfaucet]

Let me ask you this, is your stock exhaust falling apart? On my cars, after 10+ years, seem to look just fine, and don't leak. Your car didn't come with stainless from the factory. Do you see yourself having that car in 10+ years?

I would say it's not worth it unless you take your car to shows.

Where are you getting the 3" RNR turboback for $499? I'd love to know.

 

[Twizzle]

i have a 5yr old ss 2.5" downpipe and i have a 14yr old factory downpipe.... both look like crap, and both are perfectly functional, no holes or damaging rust. same question here, where can you get a turboback for 500$ with testpipe?

 

[BlackbirdOfPrey]

http://www.rnrracing.com/cgi-bin/cc...4.171.119.33&pg=cat&ref=awdtb&catstr=HOME:DSM

My main concern is things like road salt and rain, we get plenty of snow during winter here, so I am not sure if aluminized exhaust would hold up. That and some aftermarket parts are not built with the same quality as some OEM parts, so I'm not sure if an aftermarket one would last as long as the OEM (case may vary though).

CORRECTION: I do not know for a fact if it is a testpipe, it could just be a cat eliminating DP. but still its a complete RNR system for 499

 

[leakyfaucet]

http://www.rnrracing.com/cgi-bin/cc...4.171.119.33&pg=cat&ref=awdtb&catstr=HOME:DSM
My main concern is things like road salt and rain, we get plenty of snow during winter here, so I am not sure if aluminized exhaust would hold up.

Well, we have terrible winters as well, and all my stock exhausts have held up fine. I'd also like to add that my brother has a 2001 mustang GT (he bought it new) with full stainless exhaust. He replaced the mufflers with flowmaster 40 series (Aluminized) within a month of purchase. After 3+ years, the stock stainless exhaust is corroding slightly, and the flowmasters look excellent. So just because something is stainless, doesn't mean it's perfect.

 

[BlackbirdOfPrey]

So is it safe to say that SS probably isnt worth the extra 100 bucks?

 

[RuBiCaNT5X]

After 1 year, my RnR racing aluminuzed DP is rotting.. HUGE flakes of rust are falling off and lord knows when it's gonna get a huge hole in it... I am going SS DP from now on...

 

[BlackbirdOfPrey]

Great, back to square one.....

 

[psychlow]

If you live in an area with high humidity (next to the ocean), and harsh winters where salt is used on the road, it is probably worth the investment to go stainless.

Here, I wouldn't ever buy it. I live in an extremely dry climate with bad winters, but salt isn't used on the roads.

 

[BlackbirdOfPrey]

Hmm, I don't live near the ocean (), humidity is average, winters aren't that harsh, but they do use salt on the roads....... hmmmmm......

 

[Nerfherder]

It sounds like you want the SS and want us to justify the expense for you. Well, here you go: buy the SS system. It's bling, it lasts forever, you can polish it if it gets dirty, it looks cooler when you're crawling around under your car, chicks dig it, and you can tell everyone that you have a SS exhaust system.

I agree that SS is mostly needed for car shows and extreme longevity. Save your money.

 

[Eclipse96Ryder]

that RNR sale going on right now is sweet...

to bad i ordered my exhaust 6/12 and it gets shipped out tomorrow...

im sure it will be worth it tho

 

[Twizzle]

go with ss, but i assure you, a few years down the road it will NOT look the same. my ss downpipe was driven its entire life in nj, and they salt the roads and its very crappy conditions. it pitted down the entire downpipe, but it didnt rust. however i compared to the stock dp, which i dont think is aluminized and hasnt rotted out yet. so go with ss or whatever the stock dp is made out of.

 

[Tallen]

This is so simple. If you live up NORTH, yes SS is worth it. The roadsalt and temperatures kill mild steel.
If you live in the SOUTH, its un-necessary.
My steel RNR has been on 1.5 years...it looks beautiful.