05-27-2013, 07:00 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2012 SS Join Date: Apr 2013
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Welding aluminum/stainless to mild steel
The x pipe from HeartThrob Exhaust (http://www.mufflermonster.com/index....roduct_ID=2490) is "aluminized". Any clarification on whether or not it's actually aluminum? I know from previous experience on my 98 WS6 (aluminum oil pan) that welding aluminum to aluminum is hard to do...so I'd imagine aluminum to mild steel may be as well.
If I don't go with HeartThrob's x pipe, the other one is stainless steel. Any complications that you guys know of firsthand? Thanks for any help you're able to provide |
05-27-2013, 07:06 PM | #2 |
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The heartthrob x pipe is aluminized mild steel not aluminum. Both aluminized and stainless will weld to mild steel with the proper weld rod.
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05-27-2013, 07:08 PM | #3 |
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Just about every muffler shop in the country does it all the time.
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05-27-2013, 07:11 PM | #4 |
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Good to know. While I'd prefer a better metal, at least the base metals match up. I'm not concerned about possible insulation loss around the welds, or the rust-preventative qualities of aluminum. I'll be painting the exhaust from the point of the new x-pipe down with hi-temp flat black coating. That's what my WS6 had on it's custom 3" exhaust for 8 years and looked brand new when I sold it.
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05-27-2013, 07:23 PM | #5 |
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Pretty certain the stock exhaust is a 400 series stainless. In my opinion I'd get the stainless x pipe.
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05-27-2013, 07:28 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
Edit: I know Magnaflow makes a good product, but the term "stamped" is what has me worried. |
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05-27-2013, 07:59 PM | #7 |
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The Magnaflow X pipe is cheaper than the heartthrob and is advertised as SS. Doesn't say what grade though. There are a few X pipes on Ebay that look exactly like the MF true X pipe for less than $40. One is 409SS and is around $35. That's the one i'd get if I had to do it over. I have the MF true X. If you have the L99, you'll have to weld in some tubing as well and if a muffler shop does it, it will most likely be aluminized.
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05-27-2013, 08:24 PM | #8 |
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midas near me doesnt do anything in stainless, all their stuff is aluminized steel. for a good weld the aluminized coating should be grinded off.
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05-27-2013, 10:21 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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05-28-2013, 08:33 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
Exactly
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05-28-2013, 08:44 AM | #11 |
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The aluminizing process is where steel is hot dip into an aluminum/silicon bath. The silicon promotes better adhesion. Here is a link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminized_steel
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