stainless or mild

IMO the aluminised mild steel tubing they use these days is a far better option. Much easier and cheaper to get repaired when you bend/break it and it lasts for years.

From my (limited), experience the type of driving you do might suggest which way to go.

The example I quote is a 1979 Toyota my F.I.L purchased new and had a stainless system fitted almost. It was a daily, very short drive to work vehicle and two 400k round trips twice a year at holiday time. The vehicle was sold on to my wife who used it as a shopping trolley, all very short stop and start trips. We sent it to the car yard in the sky at 26years of age and riddled with rust. The exhaust system was the original stainless.

In comparison my Mazda B2600 did 64klm round trips to work and back, very long touring holidays and virtually nil stop start driving. We parted with the Mazda at 12 years of age, and 208,000 plus on the clock.

I'm quite sure the only reason the standard steel exhaust system on the Mazda lasted as it did was the absence of short trips which leave condensate in the exhaust system.


Ian

I have a 3"exhaust on my Croozer and when I when to order it I asked about Stainless and he said youve got too much money if you want one of them.
I got the aluminised steel and am quite happy with it for about $700 cheaper.


Incidentally when i took the original supposed stainless Toyota exhaust off it appears that only the mufflers are actually stainless anyway.

What is "Stainless Steel" There are many materials classed as stainless steel and all have diferent applications. Does anybody know what type of stainless steel is used in exhaust systems? A better name for stailess steel would be alloy steel as some stainless steels do rust but then by calling them alloy steels would only cause more confusion.