A simple question... Is the cost of T409 worth it, or is aluminized exhaust OK? Then there's the T409 vs T304 question!! I'm looking for best value, not whiz-bang glitz. Your thoughts??

 

IMHO it has lots to do with the area of the country you live in. If you live in a coastal or northern region where there is lots of salt or corrosive material used during winter on the roads then get the best material available (not sure if 304 or 409 is the best grade of stainless). If cost isn't a factor then get the best grade available. You see where I'm going with this. Obviously either of the SS will outlast the aluminum, but if corrosion isn't a problem then you won't have a benefit of one over the other except a small amount of weight.

 

I voted for aluminized because i sprayed mine with 2-3 coats of high temp black too add some time onto it...for 300 bucks you cant go wrong...

 

T409 is what comes from the factory stock, so you are going backwards with aluminized. If you want to upgrade then it means T304. Do what's right for your rig.

 

That's helpful! Thanks for the heads-up on the factory materials. I was not aware of that.

I just found this info on the web:

Why 409 type Stainless Steel pipes and shells?

409 type Stainless Steel is specially designed for automotive exhaust
systems.
409 type Stainless Steel resists atmospheric and automotive exhaust gas
corrosion.
409 type Stainless Steel developes a light surface discoloring which will
retard progressive corrosion.
409 type Stainless Steel contains 10.5%...11.75% Chromium

Why 304(14G) type Stainless Steel tips, flanges, internals and brakets?

304 type Stainless Steel contains 18%...20% Chromium and 8%...10.5% Nickel.
304 type Stainless Steel has excellent heat, oxidation and corrosion
resistance.
304 type Stainless Steel Looks great and will shine for ever!

 

It all depends on where you live and how much you care about looks. I live in southern California where it rains very little, so aluminized will last me a long time. If I lived in Seattle, I would have got a 304 system.

 

I think that if you want to "show off" your exhaust, then the 304SS is best because it is high polished to a mirror finish (Silverline and MBRP) and if you get dirty or soot, you can wipe it off again. The Aluminized will turn gray immediately and the 409 will do OK for awhile and then eventually tarnish due to heat.

<TABLE height=192 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR class=main align=middle bgColor=#999999><TD class=main width=60 height=17>Steel Type </TD><TD class=main width=228 height=17>Description</TD><TD class=main width=80 height=17>Corrosion Resistance</TD><TD class=main width=70 height=17>Resists Heat Scaling</TD><TD class=main width=70 height=17>Finish</TD><TD class=main width=70 height=17></TD></TR><TR align=middle bgColor=#dddddd><TD class=main height=17>T304 Stainless</TD><TD class=main height=17>Austinitic grade stainless, 18% chromium & 8% nickel</TD><TD class=main height=17>Best</TD><TD class=main height=17>Best (1650°F)</TD><TD class=main height=17>Mirror-like polish</TD><TD class=main height=17></TD></TR><TR align=middle bgColor=#dddddd><TD class=main height=17>409 Stainless</TD><TD class=main height=17>Ferritic grade stainless, 10% chromium</TD><TD class=main height=17>Better</TD><TD class=main height=17>Better (1450°F)</TD><TD class=main height=17>Matte polish</TD><TD class=main height=17></TD></TR><TR align=middle bgColor=#dddddd><TD class=main height=17>Aluminized Stainless</TD><TD class=main height=17>High-guage sheet metal coated w/ and aluminum/silicon alloy coating</TD><TD class=main height=17>Good</TD><TD class=main height=17>Good (1250°F)</TD><TD class=main height=17>Light satin finish</TD><TD class=main height=17></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Good luck! If you can find the 304 at a price you like then that is the way to go. Otherwise 409SS I would recommend.

 

I live in Vancouver Canada and most around here purchase the 409 in our marine environment.

I grew up in Prince Rupert, BC which is a small town (15,000 people) along the south tip of the Alaska coast. It has to be one of the wrost places to live for exhaust systems because the town was extremely "salty aired" and my 91 chebby never ran more than 5 minutes because the town was so small that the exhaust never got hot enough therefore always having humidity in the pipe. Further to that I had a 25 foot boat so when I launched it on the boat launch my tail pipe was submerged in the sea to get the boat off. Roads were salted in the winter as well.

Long story short my 91 chebby was going through exhaust systems every year since new (common town problem at the time) until the 3rd muffler system was installed in 1994 (409). I sold the chebby in 2003 with 300,000km (9 years later) for my 6L and the 409 held up with some signs of rust at the joints and general discoloration. I also 4x4'd as it was used for hunting making it hard on the exhaust joints. Very satisfied to say the least with the 409.

My expereince and opinion is that the 409 is great but if you have the dough, want to feel good, want the bling or got a great deal go with the T304.

However if I was looking for more flow and want to maintain the stock quality but do not want to spend the money, simply replace the muffler or cat or both with straight 409 pipe. Lots of 6L's are doing this and are very satisfied.

My opinion but everybody will have one.
Good luck.

 

Thanks for your input on this. After considering several value drivers, I've selected an exhaust solution and a vendor.<o></o>

• The manufacturer is Silverline<o></o>
• The exhaust is a cat-back<o></o>
  • T409 SS pipes<o></o>
  • T304 SS muffler and mounting hardware<o></o>
  • T304 SS 20" long double-wall tip 4" in / 5" out<o></o>
• PM me if you want the vendor info<o></o>

I got a VERY good price on this system, but I'll not post it. I'm not sure if it's the price that everyone will get... You may get a better price! I will say that the price I paid is $125.00 lower than I could find anywhere else, for parts + shipping. I hope to see it at my door tomorrow or Saturday for a weekend installation.