WAS: Alive but whining NOW: Mixed year car exhaust

[roccit_53 at scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca (C Boyko)]

I've had a few SS exhausts, since the TDs and TDIs come with them. My 87
held up for about 8 years of daily duty (and salt), and the 99 for a bit
less, it had welds at the cat that let go. Anyway, that's not your concern.
I have three cars with TT stuff on them, and one had some fitment issues
but overall the pipes bolted up fine, and I haven't had any issues. Two are
SS, one is a mishmash of mostly aluminized. I have a fourth TT setup
sitting on the garage floor waiting to go in at some point, so I'll have
three with TT SS and Borla. (the aluminized will be replaced, but just due
to its size, it may well end up in a cabby at some point). If you're
thinking of TT, talk to Peter, he'll give you advise on what your options
are. My Bug's front to back SS exhaust was a lot cheaper than just the cat
from the dealer, so that one was a no brainer. Borla mufflers aren't super
quiet (not deafening either), but the tone is SO nice! :)
cathy

On 11:29 pm 09/11/07 "Mark F." <mk1mark@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 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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