I bought this when I had my true dual exhaust built in August, 2010.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stain...mZ290357213639

It seemed like a great deal, and was even recomended by others on this site when I was shopping for parts. However, it is the ONLY part of my entire new exhaust system that is heavily corroded and solid rust colored. All my aluminized pipes are hardly even showing surface rust yet. My x-pipe looks like its been at the bottom of the sea in the freakin Titanic!

Has anyone else had any similar issues with this x-pipe? I know many have at least talked about buying it on this site because it is listed so cheap.

Has anyone who actually bought the name brand "magnaflow" stainless x-pipe had any issues like this with thier x-pipe?

I do know that stainless steel will rust eventually, but it shouldn't rust before aluminized pipes...should it? Its only been installed for 5 months. I probably have only driven 4,000 miles at most.

 

They claim it is "T-304 RAW Stainless Steel"....... hmmm... basically bare basic steel I would guess.

T-304 is a polished chrome looking stainless.

 

My Magnaflow X-pipe is rust colored, but it's not rusted. It's just discolored, like unpolished stainless turns after a while. No pics, but I might get some eventually.

 

well you can tell if it's quality stainless or not by taking a magnet and seeing if it attracts to the steel or not.

 

I see nothing on the internet regarding RAW T304 stainless steel. Sounds like they are fibbing. I bet it's actually 409 which will develop a surface coating of rust. 304 stainless will not rust at all, polished or unpolished.

 

RAW Stainless ? So well done 304 is shinny and rustproof ? Just from the picture, it isn't that. Someone should figure this out,- or know the exact process, somewhere out there.

Is T304 always that, -thru and thru? Or can it be coated, from "Raw" to finish? I know there's other grades, thicknesses. I believe the norm is 16 gauge.

But yea, just from the pic, it looks like OEM/Fords grade of stainless they use. I know that will rust lol.

That particular Ebay store has a pretty good rep. You wouldn't think they would be into false advertising. They themselves would have to be misinformed and list the product with that info IMO. If that's even the case. (?)

 

I found "Raw" from a pipe supplier and some limited info here and there, over seas, BMW, etc, etc... Like you said. T304 is either polished or unpolished.

As far as rust, from what I've read, the part that matters, -

"The difference between t304 and t409 stainless steel lies in their chromium content. T304 has more chromium component than t409 at 18 to 20 percent. It also has a nickel content of 8 to 10 percent. The t409 only has chromium content of 10.50 to 11.75 percent. Its nickel content is only 0.50 percent. The t304 has so much chromium and nickel content and very little ferrous material that magnets will not stick to it."

Data source - http://www.stainless-online.com/manu...-stainless.htm

 

I found that too. Didn't find raw t304 though.

I've worked with t304 plenty, tig welding for water cooling and vacuum pressure tanks used in highly caustic environments (downstream extrusion plants making pvc pipe and the like running 24/7) and have never seen t304 rust, but I have seen a surface rust film develop from contamination from cast iron head pumps. It easily wipes away and is not corrosion of the t304.

 

Yea, looks like "Raw" is just material used or cut from, polished or not. If it's T304, it's 304 thru & thru. The only different types of T304 I've seen is food grade. Something about magnesium content, iduno. Who needs food grade for exhaust? I mean, I heard of ,"so clean you could eat of it", but common.... For exhaust applications, MBRP lists it this way:

"3 Finishes: MBRP Performance offers most systems in 3 different finishes to match your pocketbook. Each system is built to exact same specifications, so rest assured the only costs being cut are on raw materials. Choose from aluminized steel, T409 Stainless, or T304 Stainless."

Okay, I wasted enough time on this

 

If your worried about it get a wire brush and scrub it then get some high temp spray paint and put a new coating of paint on there

 

good research BTW!
Bingo we have a winner.
we do repair parts for a creamery, from time to time at work, they specify 304ss material to be used...and yes the quick way to help verify that type of SS is place a magnet on it...if it will not stick its 304 . MAYBE very light hint of magnetizim, certainly not enough to hold the magnet itself on, gravity over powers it.

the 409ss, or 400 series...is a bit easier to work with....but it does have magnetizim qualties to it. If the magnet sticks slightly, like just enough to hold the magnet on...but not to the extent of regular steel either, about half strength.

as for rusting...yes SS will rust or oxidize, depending what it is exposed to, harsh chemicals, etc. but like others stated only slight surface rust. More so maybe with tubing. it boils down to the quality of the raw product, good quality product will not oxidize/rust very fast.

To the OP...if this is rusting that fast....to the point of flaking and pitting....it, in all likelihood, IS NOT Stainless Steel of any kind. Especially if it is worse than the Aluminized pipe right next to it (Here's your sign)

Some pictures of this would be kinda interesting to see

 

thanks for the head's up on the magnet test. I will try that when I can. sorry for not keeping up with this thread I started. My 18 month old came down the flu. he's been throwing up since 5 am this morining. doesn't leave much time to play on the truck...

I'll report back after I do the magnet test, and I'll try to snap a picture for you. Thanks for the feedback thus far.

 

my x pipe is fine after 7 months of use and i bought the same one

been through mud, snow, water, sand, dirt, gravel, asphalt and is still pretty clean, no rust spots but i dont live where you do, so who knows

 

Well I got a refrigerator magnet and placed it to the bottom of the x-pipe...and it stuck to it, big time!

I'd say that the x-pipe is probably not stainless steel based on what you all have mentioned. I think I was ripped off! Buyers beware of this ebay x-pipe...

 

You are buying discount parts online and you are shocked it rusted? Next time pay full price and know that you won't have problems down the line when you do it right.