What are the PROs and CONs of an aluminum exhaust?

[TwoFoutyEsEx]

Can anybody think of what good can come out of an aluminum exhaustHow about bad?

At a local store they have bulk aluminum exhaust piping cut into sections at all different angles and diameters. They fit together like puzzle pieces.If i constructed an exhaust out of these and supported the fitments with some mig welding would it work out?Would It sound good or no?

[adrianfromthecastle]

exhaust piping goes through a lot of abuse from heat and vibrating and moving...

I'd say the biggest con would be it potentially getting all bent out of shape from just daily driving...

[mRodiek]

Its gonna rust right through.

[AZhitman]

Not really such a thing. That's NOT exhaust piping, it's intercooler piping, or piping from something else.

Several reasons:

Aluminum piping needs to be thicker to be as strong as SS or mild steel. Therefore, no weight savings.

Aluminum is brittle. It will crack, and that property gets worse with heating / cooling cycles. Bad choice.

Aluminum melts at 1500 degrees, but gets soft WAY sooner. Any Boy Scout can tell you, an aluminum can will burn in a campfire. Bad idea.

Aluminum corrodes. Faster when you add combustion gases to moisture, which create acids. SS is a better choice.

What you MAY be seeing is aluminized steel, which is what most new car exhaust systems are made of.

Not aluminum.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Aluminized or SS is the norm. If you live in a moist climate with alot of snow, rain, etc... I'd definitely spend the extra $$ on stainless.

[Fibre guy]

+1 for no aluminum. Aluminized for cheap/painted exhaust. High grade SS for pretty polished colors.

[TwoFoutyEsEx]

If aluminum is so sh1ty then why do they sell it as 'exhaust piping'?It might be for small repairs?

[mRodiek]

Most reputable places shouldnt build you an aluminum exhaust...because its crap!

[AZ89two4Tsx]

If domestic cars are such garbage, then why do they sell them?

[AZhitman]

If aluminum is so sh1ty then why do they sell it as 'exhaust piping'?It might be for small repairs?

How is it that you're convinced that it's "exhaust piping"? Is it labeled as such?

Perhaps the seller is an idiot.

Perhaps it says, "Aluminized Exhaust Piping".

Perhaps they MEAN "Aluminized, but the seller is an idiot and doesn't know how to spell.

Regardless, none of this changes the laws of physics, and the metallurgic properties of aluminum.

I think the question you meant to ask is, "Why am I convinced there's a shop selling aluminum tubing for exhaust systems, and if they are, why are they doing so?"

[Papi Chulo]

Pros and cons of toilet paper roll exhaust?

[AZhitman]

Pros - Plentiful and cheap.

Cons - Don't drive through a puddle.

[mRodiek]

If domestic cars are such garbage, then why do they sell them?

[1990-240sxsr20det]

Its just gonna rust, it'll probably rust fast or get warped in a lot of spots too. Spend the extra money on some sort of steel exhaust system

[NismoZRS]

If domestic cars are such garbage, then why do they sell them?

lul wat

[GTR PrYdE]

A aluminum exhaust will not rust... corrode yes but not rust.

It will be weaker, but as long as built with proper clearance, should be fine.

It's a cheap exhaust overall, and may lat a decent while, but you should just go with a ebay stainless exhaust (I did, fit great, but is a little low) or if you want a true quality exhaust, get a BRM catback. Superior quality and reliability compared to ebay..

EDIT:

If the store stocks aluminum exhaust... it's ALUMINIZED MILD STEEL.

For some reason I thought you meant real aluminum exhaust like IC piping.

Anyway, aluminized exhaust will last for years before rusting beyond repair(5-8yrs)

[Soravia]

It ain't the Aluminumnized steel rusting. The weldings rust sooner than anything. I would recommend painting the exhaust with High-temp exhaust paint after getting it back from the exhaust shop.

[r34 gtr]

Aluminum melts at 1500 degrees, but gets soft WAY sooner. Any Boy Scout can tell you, an aluminum can will burn in a campfire. Bad idea.

Its actually 1220.66 degrees. Get it right CEO, damn!

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Sorry not ALL domestic cars are garbage. I guess it was just an exaggeration. It's more of a 50/50 thing.