stainless steel and aluminum exhaust

[Jameseypoo]

i just wondered what kind of difference there would be between the two since one is obviously more expensive than the other. would the stainless steel last longer? i'm guessing that its not for the looks because they both have the stainless steel tips on the end. Anybody know?

2.5" Dual Exit Magnaflow - Aluminum - $310 + S/H

2.5" Dual Exit Magnaflow - Stainless - $475 + S/H

[nburk09]

I dont have my exhaust yet but everyone says that aluminum is what is on the stock cougar right now and will rust in the same amount of time...but stainless steel wont ever rust.

[Thickie]

Stainless steel has a longer life than aluminized. You pretty much get what ya pay for. If you live in an area thats gonna have salt on the roads or bad winters and you're going to be driving your car, your better off getting stainless steel

[Jameseypoo]

soo, say i live in central indiana. we have a fair amount of snow/salt on the roads. would an aluminum exhaust last 5-8 years? Thats how much longer i hope to have my car anyways...

[silverfrost99]

No you will not get 5 years out of aluminized. This is after two winters in western MD elevation 2300 feet, we get a fair amount of snow.

http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/attachments/hole2s%2Ejpg
http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/attachments/hole4s%2Ejpg

[scottina99]

try coating the aluminized with an underbody coating......

[Jameseypoo]

Is it easy and inexpensive? Also, would the heat from the muffler do anything to the underbody coating?

[EricF]

Undercoating, will burn/melt.....
What you want to use is actually a hightemp paint... it is made for get it high temps.

[Brandon]

I don't know exactly where you live in Central Indiana. But I live in Columbs, which is pretty central in IN.

I had the aluminum on from last May till about Feb. And you could already see a little bit of rust wanting to form. Not much at all just one small spot, but I doubt it would have lasted over 3-4 years. I really didn't drive that much in the winter either.

So if you have the money to get the stainless steel get it. Also come into the Hoosier chapter, and drop us a line we are always happy to have new members.