Replaced my exhaust system

[woodie49]

I replaced my exhaust system this weekend with a new Aluminized system from Kepich Exhaust. The aluminized was a whole lot cheaper than the stainless, so I painted it with a high-heat aluminum colored paint to protect against rust from the outside and called it good.

The instalation went pretty easily (as well as can be expected on jack stands). The system fit perfectly and the flance came welded to the pipe so everything sealed nicely. One surprise was that I was expecting new clamps with a new system, but had to run out to my local parts store for them. And an extra one is needed as the tail pipe comes in two peices to make it easier to install.

It looks great and sounds great - which means nice and quiet. My old system alerted the neighbors to my weekly cruises.

One hitch early on was that the Kepich site handles all the Chrysler products together and, while there are fields for the make, model, etc., they are apparently easy to miss as I was originally shipped a system for a '49 Chryler, which is longer than a '49 Plymouth Woodie. But, they took care of it right away. The only difference was the tailpipe. They were excellent to deal with.

Really a worthwhile project for a Saturday morning.

[P-12 Tommy]

Mine was the same way before I replaced mine. It's nice to have a quiet car.

Tom

[aero3113]

Mine was the same way before I replaced mine. It's nice to have a quiet car.

Tom

Same here LoL, mine was so loud. It was also leaking exhaust gases into the car.

[randroid]

woodie49,

The reason stainless exhaust systems were developed was that exhausts rust from the inside-out and there ain't squat you can do about it. When the engine is started cold there's a lot of moisture in the system, as evidenced fy the fog coming from the tailpipe, and when you turn the engine off and it cools, more outside air is drawn into the pipe to replenish the moisture for the next time it's started.

This isn't a criticism and I'm sure I would do exactly as you did, not to mention that it is sure nice having a quiet car. Just passing a little info, that's all.

-Randy

[Frank Elder]

Is aluminized exhaust coated on the inside too?

Randy, everything degrades, steel rusts...aluminum&stainless steel corrode...everything returns to nature eventually, some just quicker than others:)

[Young Ed]

My 1994 dakota has 192K miles on it and the cab fenders box etc are quite rusty from all those MN winters. The exhaust system has had 2 new clamps and just before thanksgiving 2 new bolts to hold the pipe to the pass side manifold. The actual pipes and muffler are all the original stainless steel. So the stainless steel they put on those sure lasts.

[Brad Lustig]

woodie49,

The reason stainless exhaust systems were developed was that exhausts rust from the inside-out and there ain't squat you can do about it. When the engine is started cold there's a lot of moisture in the system, as evidenced fy the fog coming from the tailpipe, and when you turn the engine off and it cools, more outside air is drawn into the pipe to replenish the moisture for the next time it's started.

This isn't a criticism and I'm sure I would do exactly as you did, not to mention that it is sure nice having a quiet car. Just passing a little info, that's all.

-Randy

Most of the moisture in exhaust systems is from the combustion process (hydrocarbon + oxygen + fire = H2O plus a bunch of other stuff). The water is noticeable at startup because the exhaust system is still cold so the water vapor condenses and collects in the system. That's why it's best to get the engine and exhaust up to temp as often as possible when you drive to burn out any water in the system. Also, make sure when you install the muffler to have the weephole facing the ground.

[desoto1939]

The car manufacturers went to SS because of the EPA and also the govt stated that they had to last I think 8 years. The exhaust system is covered under the EPA rules nad the catalystic converter.

Since straingth steel would rust out before the warrantry they decided to go to the SS so they would not have to replace these items. If the EPA had nt pushed for the extended life on these items we would still be using steelpipes in our modern cars. Cost was a factor in building the cars.

Rich HArtung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[woodie49]

woodie49,

The reason stainless exhaust systems were developed was that exhausts rust from the inside-out and there ain't squat you can do about it. When the engine is started cold there's a lot of moisture in the system, as evidenced fy the fog coming from the tailpipe, and when you turn the engine off and it cools, more outside air is drawn into the pipe to replenish the moisture for the next time it's started.

This isn't a criticism and I'm sure I would do exactly as you did, not to mention that it is sure nice having a quiet car. Just passing a little info, that's all.

-Randy

Randy,

Yes, you are right, rust from the inside is an issue, but I figure the system will last for a fairly long time. The paint does protect against outside rust and should keep the system looking nice and clean. Everything is replaceable and in the next 5 years, I might decide to go headers and dual exhausts. It was a rewarding project in any case.