Hi, Robert!
Modern exhaust systems that are not stainless usually have an aluminized
coating to prevent rust. That's probably what you have on the Honda and
Subaru. I replaced the exhaust system in my Midget in 1988 with the mild
steel long pipe and muffler from Victoria British. It's still fine after
40,000 miles. I think the key to preventing quick rust-out in a mild steel
system is to avoid running the engine for short periods. Doing so will
allow condensation from the cold engine to remain and form acids with
exhaust products. Naturally, this will rust out the system in a short
time. Most of the miles I have put on my Midget have been on fairly long
cruises, and the three miles between my house and work seem to be long
enough to heat up the Midget engine, oil, and exhaust system to operating
temperature.
As a contrast, when I replaced the exhaust system in my Big Healey with a
mild steel system. it rusted out again within about two years. The
home-to-work distance is not enough to thoroughly heat up that 600 pound
engine with its seven quarts of oil. I then went with a stainless system
on that car, and it gives all evidence of lasting forever.
Steve Byers
Havelock, NC USA
'73 Midget GAN5UD126009G "OO NINE"
"It is better to remain silent, and be thought a fool
than to speak, and remove all doubt" -- Mark Twain
----------
> From: robert weeks <robert@woozy.com>
> To: spridgets@Autox.Team.Net
> Subject: Exhaust Systems - Advice needed
> Date: Monday, September 21, 1998 9:19 PM
>
> Howdy,
>
> What is the group consensus when it comes to exhaust systems? I need
> everything from the LCB header back, so, basically I need the long pipe
and
> a muffler. I'd like something that flowed well and that didn't rust out
> after 1 year of use. The long pipe I put on last summer (from Moss) is
> totally rusted and my Monza muffler is on it's way out. It would be nice
to
> find something that can survive all of the damned speed bumps in the
> parking lots around here also.
>
> I noticed that both our '89 Honda's and '84 Subaru's exhaust systems
don't
> have a single spot of rust on them. What's up with that? Are they
sporting
> stainless?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Robert Weeks
> Durham NC
> 1969 Midget
> 1968-70 Abitza
> http://www.woozy.com/midget/
>
>
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