[alfa] Stainless exhaust

[C M Smith <cmsmith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The "lower quality" stainless steel used for the guts of good exhaust 
systems is actually steel with more resistance to fatigue cracking. You 
don't want really "good" stainless steel in any environment where flexing 
is common as it turns brittle much faster than mild steel, then cracks and 
is the very devil to weld.

Actually, aluminized steel is the best stuff to make exhausts from. These 
systems last about six years under normal Canadian winters (much longer in 
warmer less salted environments) and cost less than half the cost of 
stainless. Two systems on your car last 12 years, or more (usually the 
coldest bits rust through first which are the rear mufflers) and with 
present value analysis of true costs make stainless look pretty dumb. I've 
put exactly two exhaust systems on my 91 Alfa and no more than three on my 
86 SAAB 9000 Turbo. I'm way ahead of any stainless system on a cost basis.

Aluminized steel is lighter and if it cracks or spot rusts can be welded by 
incompetent buffoons at your local muffler shop and last another three 
years before  anew component might be needed.

Cheers

and BTW, stainless rusts alright, ocean going yachts have lost masts 
because their owners assumed stainless steel does not rust. The rigging may 
be galvanized wire but the turnbuckles will be stainless and they rust in 
the ocean environment. They just rust slowly.
Michael Smith
White 1991 164L
Original owner
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