How to select the correct manufacturer and material for a performance exhaust.

After you have decided to upgrade your exhaust to a four or five inch system to allow your truck or SUV to breathe a little better, you now get to figure out which manufacturer and what material you want to use.  This is actually a simpler process than it might seem at first.

Performance exhaust systems usually come in three different materials.  The cheapest material is an aluminized steel.  Cost is low, but corrosion resistance is less than the stainless steels and the appearance is OEM with these.  However, they can solve certain issues.  If your budget is tight, or you think the exhaust is going to get beat up going over rocks or other obstacles, this could be the one for you.  Also, I have only found five inch exhausts in Aluminized so far.

The middle grade of exhaust material is 409 stainless steel.  This alloy provides excellent corrosion protection, usually with a lifetime warranty, good, but not stellar appearance, and it is still soft enough to work, (more on that later).  This is where most people shop. One of the few drawbacks to 409 is a tendency to spot over time.  This is supposed to be from zinc working its way to the surface over time, and there are various ways to clean this off as needed. 

 The highest priced systems are generally made up of 304 Stainless Steel.  Occasionally, these come fully polished, though not to a mirror finish, but the appearance is closest to show quality out of the box.  Most manufacturers usually throw in the tip with these kits as well.  Tips are almost completely cosmetic in nature, but they sure can change how things look.  T-304 retains its luster the best throughout its life, but this alloy is very hard and can resist conforming to the clamps that join the pipe sections together.

 We will look at selecting a brand a little later.  Most of that decision comes down to muffler design and some other features that can be very important.