WAS: Alive but whining NOW: Mixed year car exhaust

[jmair at urbanout.com (Joe Mair)]

I installed a Borla stainless muffler about 8 years ago when I first
bought my Scirocco.  I probably put on some 40K over that time period.
When the original downpipe cracked and the stock centerpipe split, I
removed the entire exhaust.  I pulled that Borla off and used some mild
polish and got it to look like this:

http://tinyurl.com/2ly4u4

When I installed the new stainless downpipe and center pipe from TT, I
re-used the Borla.  It was all fantastic until the muffler flew off en
route to Cincy and almost hit Marc in his A4.  At least no Sciroccos
were put in danger.

However, thanks to Peter, I was able to replace it with a NEW Borla
muffler.  I think this one fits better anyway.  It's so nice, but almost
a little TOO quiet.

I love the TT.  Plus, talk to Peter and you'll get 10% off.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark F. [mailto:mk1mark@xxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 11:30 PM
To: Jacob Hawes
Cc: scirocco-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: WAS: Alive but whining NOW: Mixed year car exhaust

On 9/11/07, Mark F. <mk1mark@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Stainless systems are supposed to last much longer, but I'm not 100%
> convinced that's the case (at least with TT stuff).  The TT stainless
> exhaust that was on the wrecked 16v I bought has a bunch of corrosion
> on the welds, and there are not just one, but several cracks (at the
> welds as well).  It almost looks like they didn't use SS welding
> wire/rod.  They also use crappy 409 stainless, judging by the amount
> of corrosion on the piping itself.   The pipes will never rust through
> however (unlike aluminized steel), but the rusty and cracked welds
> have changed my opinion on TT's exhaust systems.
>
> If you're looking for quiet, spend the extra few bucks on a Borla.
> With a cat the exhaust is too quiet in my opinion, and even without
> one you won't draw any undue attention from johnny law...


Hey Jacob,  just thought I'd add that TT exhausts are a still great
deal, and every one that I've bought fit perfect (which isn't normal
for aftermarket kits according to a buddy who works at a muffler
shop).  The thing I don't know about my cracked exhaust is how old it
is - it might have more miles on it than most people would put on in a
lifetime, who knows, so take my experience as that, just mine.  I have
usually bought the aluminized systems, and have yet to have one
corrode through, so over time they might be the better deal over
buying the SS systems.  I used to think that SS systems would last a
lifetime, but any metal will fatigue over time (especially when
accelerated by heat and vibration/movement).  I guess it also depends
on your driving habits.  If you don't use the car much, then SS will
definitely be the way to go, but if you're going to be swapping the
exhaust from car to car as you use them up, maybe it won't be...  Over
ten years you might use two aluminized, or one stainless.    Anyone
else have some experiences to relate on the longevity of the various
exhaust kits out there, both stainless and aluminized?

Later,

Mark
75
82
82 Caddy - mTDI swap in progress
91 Jetta Coupe

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