Stailess Steel Exhaust - Worth the extra???

[Tucker]

I suspect my exhaust will need replacing at some point in the next 6 months.

I usually plum for the best deal locally with a bit of ringing around. In the past the quality of the replacement is usually pretty poor and they tend not to last very long either.

I will be keeping the car for 3 years minimum and so priced up a stainless steel one. At £280 for the full system, I reckon it will be at least £100 to £140 more than a cheap replica.

The stainless comes with a lifetime guarantee and according to the fitter, slightly improved MPG and BHP (not that I care about the BHP).

Has anyone had one, who can shed any light on the claims?

What do people reckon in general.......Is it worth the extra outlay??

[anewman]

Extra BHP claims are based on better flow from the engine - I imagine you'll see little, if any, noticeable difference though, it's just marketing spiel to attract the 17 year olds with 1 litre Corsa's and Saxo's IMO, along with the pics of scantily clad busty women holding twin exhausts.

Make sure you check the grade of stainless steel being used. See here for an example of a "stainless" exhaust rusting http://briskoda.net/off-topic-chit-chat/stainless-steel-exhaust-rusting-unhappy-bunny/117103/

I would go for it personally :)

[Wig]

I had one done for the same reasons. You won't see any noticeable diff to BHP or MPG. and I'm sure the fitter who did mine FUBAR'd the Oxygen sensor, he certainly did not route the cable properly.

If I had one done again I would try to get an emissions test done the day before and the day after fitting. Or use a diagnostic software/cable from Ebay which will tell you your lambda reading.

[steveo3002]

theyre usualy pretty decent, some have a catch in warrenty that it needs checking every year or something

most will be a fair bit louder than a original exh ...id point you towards jetex for a decent quality and not really loud system (but it will sound sporty )

[DKLS]

I did it, but dropped the Cat as well, and gained a decent boost in BHP, however come MOT time, I have two choices, go to my mechanic :rolleyes: , or switch back to the old exhaust and go to another test centre.

[molerat]

I did it, but dropped the Cat as well, and gained a decent boost in BHP, however come MOT time, I have two choices, go to my mechanic :rolleyes: , or switch back to the old exhaust and go to another test centre.Or alternatively get a cat back system and a cat bypass pipe so you can just pop the cat back on for MOT ;)

[Tucker]

Ahh

He did mention when quoting about it being cat back??

I assumed it meant it was replacing the exhaust from the cat to the tail pipe??

Or have I mis-understood what he was saying there?

[Conor]

Correct. I've got a stainless system on mine. Lifetime guarantee. Was a Powerflow one custom built for the car and cost me £250.

[Wig]

cat back is as you assumed, from the cat back, doesn't include any bypass pipe, that would be extra.

[tomstickland]

I had a Longlife system once, was fine and cost effective.
There will be a small improvement in power due either to slightly larger diameter tube, but more importantly better bends. If you look at a cheapy std exhaust you'll find that it narrows at various points wherease the custom made ones don't.
I noticed an improvment in the starting speed of the engine with a custom exhaust. Lower back pressure.

[thescouselander]

I had a stainless steel exhaust on my previous car - it was standard fit at the factory. When I got rid of the car it was 9 years old and still had its original exhaust so they definitely last and are worth it if you keep the car for a long time.

If you're only going to keep the car for another 3 years I'm not sure its worth the extra cost though.