Difference between Aluminum & Carbon exhaust

[Greg F.]

Which route should I go? I want to keep the car original and buy the right parts going forward. Carbon Steel is the best for this purpose, correct? Is the main difference between Carbon and Aluminum the "rust factor" or are there other advantages for alumiinum?

Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: Difference between Aluminum & Carbon exhaust

Greg------

Corrosion resistance is the purpose of aluminized exhaust systems. Keep in mind that a plain carbon steel system will rust fairly quickly. When it rusts extensively, it won't look the way it did when it left the factory.

[Greg F.]

Re: Difference between Aluminum & Carbon exhaust

Thanks Joe. Are most corvette owners using aluminum these days? I'm not driving the car in inclement weather but that's not to say I won't get caught (especially in the summer in central Florida).

What do you see primarily? My car is a driver but I don't want put correct parts on it as I hope to have it judged some day.

Thank you again.

[Joe L.]

Re: Difference between Aluminum & Carbon exhaust

Greg------

I think that aluminized is the most popular overall. It's the best "compromise" between originality and longevity.

By the way, you don't need to drive the car in inclement weather for a plain carbon steel exhaust system to rust. They'll rust quite nicely even if the car never sees rain.

For me, it's stainless steel. Period. I hate rust.

[Jeff S.]

Re: Difference between Aluminum & Carbon exhaust

Greg,

It is aluminIZED steel, not "aluminum". A thin coating of aluminum-silicon alloy (typically applied by hot-dipping) provides a measure of corrosion control & appearance while retaining the favorable thermal properties of the carbon steel pipes.

[George C.]

Re: Difference between Aluminum & Carbon exhaust

Greg,
I put the aluminized steel exhaust on my 65 convertable about two years ago. I drive it mostly in nice weeather, but have been caught in the rain a few times. I will probably never have the car judged, but as you said I am trying to keep it as close to original as I can. The pipes still look brand new, so that tells you what my vote is.
Good luck with your project,
George

[Chuck S.]

Re: Difference between Aluminum & Carbon exhaust

In fact, you won't have to drive the car at all, in any kind of weather. A carbon steel exhaust system will rust solely from the installer's handprints. If you live in a humid climate, your exhaust system will have started returning to the earth before you let the lift down.

[Warren F.]

Re: Difference between Aluminum & Carbon exhaust

Greg,

Nobody has mentioned it yet. The original carbon steel exhaust piping actually was double walled. I don't think the aluminized exhaust piping that is made is a double wall design. I thought it was possibly thicker walled, but not double walled.

[Greg F.]

Thanks everyone. Going w/Aluminized! *NM*

[Mike M.]

2 points

I lost 2 points for aluminized at a national. Not sure if that was a correct deduct or not. It's not many points anyway to worry about.

[Rob A.]

Re: Difference between Aluminum & Carbon exhaust

Gregg...

The parts on my car that were originally bare steel have been kept that way, certain nuts, and various other parts. Plated parts are not as shiny as the reproduction pieces available. My exhaust is plain carbon steel and fits the overall theme of my car. If your plan movng forward is to have the underneath of your car look shiny and new, you might consider the aluminized system. Like the exhaust manifolds, the exhaust system would have some surface rust almost immediatly even as it sat on the dealer's lot. Guess you do whatever you feel fits in with the type of restoration you plan and what fits your eye when you look under your car.