I have MBRP SS duals on my truck and the pipes are starting to rust. The muffler and tips still looks new. Is this a common problem? My friend has the same exhaust and his is rusted too. His muffler is also rusting.

Anyone have any input before I contact MBRP?

Thanks

Are they the 409 stainless?

Mine, no rust yet.

409ss will typically get an ugly coating of rust on it in a short time. This won't go far, but looks like crap.

Hit it with steel wool to bring back some of the look.

John

What stands the SS for - Stainless Steel? Is rust NOT some kind of stain? 409, 304 or whatever the number says - stainless should be stainless and not rusty IMHO.
Have the same problem with the Putco NEVERRUST rails on my truck, rusted after only a week in the rain....really cannot trust any company with any claims....same is true for a no questions asked tire warranty but they will not take the destroyed tires back...
what has the world come to? :confused::confused::confused:

Live and learn. 400 series stainless is "stainless" when compared to ordinary mild steel, but it has nowhere near the corrosion resistance of the 300 series.

Typically the 400 series stuff is slightly magnetic.

I would give Putco a call. Something does not seem right with those. I have their stainless mud flaps and they're doing great even after our salt-laden winters.

On the MBRP, you should have noticed that they also offer a more expensive 304 set and a call to the supplier probably asking about the differences would have probably saved you the aggravation.

Did you read the fine print on the "no questions asked policy?"

Caveat Emptor (buyer beware).

That's why its called stainless, not stain "proof."

GreenDuramax04,

There are a zillion different types od stainless in the market as a whole. 409 is the most commonly used for exhaust. It is a magnetic stainless and will get spots are surface rust on it, it's also the same material used on the stock system on a Duramax. The 304 is a non magnetic stainless and contains a high content of nickel and chromuin. These extra materials and the extra labor involved in manufacturing is the reason 304 is approx 25% more costly than 409. You tips and muffler are not getting any corrosion on them as they are built from 304 stainless. The original MBRP systems in 409 had a 304 muffler, that changed a while ago so I would imagine your friend got his system after you got yours.

We sell a world of 304 stainless everyday, but the 409 sells 3 to 4 times more because of the price point it has!

Mark @ DPPI

Mark,

Thanks for the info. Yes, my friends system is about 6 months newer than mine. I guess that explains his rusty muffler.

I just didn't think that Stainless Steel would rust in less than a year weather its 409, 304 or whatever. If I'd have know I would have looked a little closer at the aluminized. Would have probably looked about the same after a year. Live and learn I guess.

Its not like I am not happy with my exhaust, I love it. Its not a show truck so it doesn't really bother me too much. But when I saw the rust I said to myself "Hold on, I thought this was supposed to be stainless".

Now I know. If I really want "Stainless" pay for the 304.

The way I understand it is that the 304 stainless is more pure than the 409. The 409 has iron in the metal and the heating and cooling cycles causes the iron in the metal to be sweated out. When it gets exposed it will rust. Don’t worry though, it will not flake or create pin holes like what we are used to seeing here in Wisconsin. The tips are of the higher grade and therefore look nice, except for the rubber splattered all over them. Or is it just me?

Be glad you didn't buy the Banks Monster exhaust, if you don't like rust.
Mine after 3 winter is pitted, and flaking. I would expect it is have holes in it within another 5-6 years. But it sure sounds good!

The tips are of the higher grade and therefore look nice, except for the rubber splattered all over them. Or is it just me?

Same problem here.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/rockon.gif

Well, maybe its not a problem......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/hihi.gif

GreenDuramax04,

Ok, just wanted to make sure you were OK etc. The 409 like WIHuck said will last a long time even though it looks like it's rusting. It's the same as the factory material on most vehicles today and the part of the exhaust north of the cat is covered by the manufacturers 100,000 mile emmissions warranty, so you knwo they expect it to last at least that long most of the time.

Mark @ DPPI

Thanks Mark.

Just as long as its only surface rust I'll be fine. Hopefully I won't have holes in a couple years.

I bought the cheaper of the two... I didn't want to spend $700.00 + for the premium system and then not like it. (T-409 vs. T-304). I was afraid if the sound was too loud or there was a drone, I would be out even more dollar$. With 4 tagged vehicles on the road, my truck will not see the salted winter roads. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif With the recent rains we've been having, I see no rust with my T-409 system. Given some time, I'm sure it will "rust". No system made will be totally rust free. Sure, the T-304 system has a lifetime warranty, but will they honor that warranty, say 12 years from now... I don't think so!

I have a 1970 Chevelle that I bought "Lifetime" brake shoes for it through Napa. That was in 1989 (my highschool car, and yes, I still have it). After 4 sets, they stopped honoring the "lifetime" warranty. Not that there was a limit, they just don't honor it or sell them anymore. That car is supposed to have been crushed into a cube 20 years ago and recycled into one of our trucks. I love it when I walk into that Napa and question them when a "lifetime" warranty is offered. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif I say "lifetime meaning what, 10 years?"

If you're going to drive in the salt, get the more expensive system and hope they will honor your lifetime warranty when it does rust holes through it (it will eventially, no stainless is stain or corrosion proof). Otherwise be happy with what you paid for.

If you're going to drive in the salt, get the more expensive system and hope they will honor your lifetime warranty when it does rust holes through it (it will eventially, no stainless is stain or corrosion proof). Otherwise be happy with what you paid for.

Nah. My dad had a 304 system custom bent and put on his '83 Suburban, driven every day in the Pennsylvania climate, until it was sold at 14 years old. Sure, the system had turned straw brown on the hot end, but the rest of it looked great.

My wife's '93 Shadow had a factory 409 system and a year or so ago, I cut it off. The outside looked like hell, but I was amazed at how much good metal remained. I should have left well enough alone.

304's corrosion resistance is superb and I would not expect rust-through, ever. I would expect a quality 304 system to outlast the truck.