Hi everyone my exhaust just wouldn’t be in the best of condition and I was wondering did anyone ever go down the route of getting it made out of stainless steel pros and cons
General Exhaust (stainless/ generic
- Thread starter Big gerry
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General Exhaust (stainless/ generic
I believe Keltec Performance has been mentioned a few times as being very good although they appear to be out of stock at the moment. Might be worth a phonecall if you want to go down that route. I think they offer fitting as well: Panda Exhaust
How long are you going to keep the car? has to be the big question. I tend to keep my cars for as long as possible - basically until rust or lack of spares make ownership too difficult. In these circumstances it may be worth it although you need to remember that stuff like mounting rubbers and probably pipe clamps etc will still wear and require replacement.
Another thing is that stainless systems often sound more "resonant" (think "tinny") than normal steel systems - That is to say the ones I've heard. I once got involved in fitting one to a Reliant Scimitar and we had no end of problems because the pipes were not well bent to shape and we couldn't "nudge" them into shape with a gas torch. I find I can buy a good quality coated system (ie. not bare steel) from our local factors at a very good price and, because I am not just buying the cheapest available, the various parts are usually an excellent fit. So, for me, a good quality steel system with a surface coating to stave off corrosion is the way to go.
Another thing is that stainless systems often sound more "resonant" (think "tinny") than normal steel systems - That is to say the ones I've heard. I once got involved in fitting one to a Reliant Scimitar and we had no end of problems because the pipes were not well bent to shape and we couldn't "nudge" them into shape with a gas torch. I find I can buy a good quality coated system (ie. not bare steel) from our local factors at a very good price and, because I am not just buying the cheapest available, the various parts are usually an excellent fit. So, for me, a good quality steel system with a surface coating to stave off corrosion is the way to go.
Hi Iam for keeping the car until I see the nettles I will look into a good quality exhaust thank you for your help
I love you're turn of phrase, made me smile, thanks. I'm not necessarily saying not to go with the stainless product, just that there are things to consider? Maybe starting by doing a price comparison if it were me? Whatever you decide, I hope it goes well.
Edit. Can I just say that, by a "treated" steel system I don't mean just painted. I'm talking about an aluminized finish or something similar. It often looks like a painted on silver finish but paint will just burn away after a very short while. Better quality aluminized systems often have labelling saying what it is.
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If you can find one for a reasonable price (shop4parts maybe?), an OEM system should last 10yrs+.
The risk with any stainless system is cracking and breakage, due to the inherent brittleness of the material.
Checking the integrity of the hangers, rubbers and clamps (especially the one at the front securing the exhaust to the bellhousing) should be an annual maintenance job.
The risk with any stainless system is cracking and breakage, due to the inherent brittleness of the material.
Checking the integrity of the hangers, rubbers and clamps (especially the one at the front securing the exhaust to the bellhousing) should be an annual maintenance job.
I have very little experience with SS systems but have heard of the problem with them cracking up as they age, and. of course, it's then not so easy if you want to attempt a welded repair.
Pretty much all my experience is with Pandas and I agree you should make sure that front support is in robust condition. If you ignore it and it breaks the pipe from the "manicat" - which they can do - that's definitely best avoided. I check all mountings before MOT every year and at any other time I've got her jacked up.
I don't need one (at the moment) but it always worries me that I can never seem to find anyone who actually sells replacement exhausts for either my MJ 4x4 or my TwinAir Cross. Is it only Fiat with their crazy prices that we can get these exhausts from?
I had a stainless steel back box and pipe made up for Manda, in February, at Classic & Custom Exhausts in Hastings.
I’d struggled for ages to find any one who held a suitable replacement in stock (or someone who could order one in).
Very pleased with the result and the lifetime guarantee it came with. The exhaust now sits flush under the bumper, rather than hanging stupidly low. She sounds a wee bit ‘meatier’ due to the wider rear pipe (but not excessively) and seems happier on the A roads than before. I’m certain she is a bit quicker on pull away and acceleration but that could just be psychological.
I’d struggled for ages to find any one who held a suitable replacement in stock (or someone who could order one in).
Very pleased with the result and the lifetime guarantee it came with. The exhaust now sits flush under the bumper, rather than hanging stupidly low. She sounds a wee bit ‘meatier’ due to the wider rear pipe (but not excessively) and seems happier on the A roads than before. I’m certain she is a bit quicker on pull away and acceleration but that could just be psychological.
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Yep, I share that concern. I had to recreate the front hanger on my 4x4 (2013) 18months ago after an MOT advisory and the rest of the set up is getting increasingly crusty. I would take the view that since the OEM parts have done pretty well thus far then I'm not really sure a stainless version is necessary but having a source of regular carbon steel parts would be reassuring. As the volume of 4x4 cars was quite low I'm not sure that it has been viable for the usual exhaust suppliers to tool up for it?
That does look very neat indeed. It's much smaller looking than the standard offering which probably explains the slightly more "fruity" exhaust note - may well be a straight through design rather than baffled too. Also, when a system (or parts of) are made up from component parts to fit a particular vehicle it often ends up being a neater job. I especially like the way it's so neatly tucked away out of sight. My "Felicity" (see avatar picture) had just the one silencer at the rear of the car - just like your first picture - but I think some of the later MK1's had one in the middle too? Does yours only have the one unit?
Thank you. I’m very pleased with how they fitted it so flush. Makes her back end look so much neater too.
It is a straight through design and Manda only has one silencer, the same as Felicity.
The fruity note isn’t obtrusive when driving and I can still hear the “whoosh” from the auto box when pulling away and slowing down. Reminds me of a steam train.
The rest of the exhaust was replaced during her rustoration (which is detailed on a separate thread) so should be good for a few years yet. When the time comes I’ll probably have a full stainless exhaust made, but for now I’m just enjoying whizzing about in her whilst replenishing the Panda fund! The garage who MOt’d her and failed her 3 years ago on 2 pages of rust related issues were well impressed with how she presents now and I was very pleased to get a ‘no advisory MOT this year also.
