Any Rust Problems?

[Trancer07]

Hey guys. I'm a fan of both Sonic and Spark. I had my heart really set on getting a spark though (smaller size, un-surpassed amenities and eye candy for the price), but it has some early onset rusting problems with the exhaust system. I wanted to see if the Sonic's exhaust system is holding up better.

 

[Natesriv]

My muffler had some surface rust...I just spray painted it black since I eventually plan on getting a better one with a chrome tip.
I must say Chevy should just put a chrome tip on there..the OEM muffler setup is cheap even for penny pinching standards....

 

[$ub$onic]

Both my oem and now my magnaflow are rusted alittle. I live in a place were we use ALOT of salt so this is normal for use. I wouldn't not worry about it at all, it's a bare metal it's going to get some light surface rust

 

[sx sonic]

+1. Some "superficial" rust is common on exhaust, or any bare metal for that matter.

If you can't stand it buy a stainless steel exhaust system........ Or start shopping for cars that cost 5 or more times as much as the sonic does.

 

[ChrisJ]

+1. Some "superficial" rust is common on exhaust, or any bare metal for that matter.

If you can't stand it buy a stainless steel exhaust system........ Or start shopping for cars that cost 5 or more times as much as the sonic does.

I thought the Sonic came from the factory with a stainless system? For that matter I thought ALL GM's since 95 or so did?

I know even with a stainless system the welds rust, but who cares?

 

[$ub$onic]

Not all stainless is rust free, the pipes will rust just like the welds. It should only be surface rust through

 

[Trancer07]

+1. Some "superficial" rust is common on exhaust, or any bare metal for that matter.

If you can't stand it buy a stainless steel exhaust system........ Or start shopping for cars that cost 5 or more times as much as the sonic does.

I hope you guys don't mind me talking about Sonic's "little brother".
Here's a picture of a guy's Spark exhaust after one winter:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/Greg_E/Spark/exhaustrust_zps870411c9.jpg

Does this look excessive?

 

[ChrisJ]

I hope you guys don't mind me talking about Sonic's "little brother".
Here's a picture of a guy's Spark exhaust after one winter:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/Greg_E/Spark/exhaustrust_zps870411c9.jpg

Does this look excessive?

In my opinion, no.
Is that the flange where the exhaust bolts to the manifold? That could last years and years.

 

[sx sonic]

That's worse than I thought, although it does look like It's been bathed in salt. After an IL winter and lots of salt mine looks significantly better than the flange in that pic. Heck my 6 year old GMC truck which has seen more salt than most cars has a much cleaner looking exhaust than that.


ChrisJ- gm may do some stainless pipe, I'm not up on that. I did just cjeck my cat back and do that's laying in the garage, it very magnetic. I know some stainless is mildly magnetic (300 series?), but a magnet won't stick to it like it does the stock sonic exhaust.

 

[ChrisJ]

That's worse than I thought, although it does look like It's been bathed in salt. After an IL winter and lots of salt mine looks significantly better than the flange in that pic. Heck my 6 year old GMC truck which has seen more salt than most cars has a much cleaner looking exhaust than that.


ChrisJ- gm may do some stainless pipe, I'm not up on that. I did just cjeck my cat back and do that's laying in the garage, it very magnetic. I know some stainless is mildly magnetic (300 series?), but a magnet won't stick to it like it does the stock sonic exhaust.

I believe some stainless is very magnetic but I'm not 100% sure either. :blankface:

 

[sx sonic]

I believe some stainless is very magnetic but I'm not 100% sure either. :blankface:

Lmao, well don't we sound smart:sadbanana:

I'll have to ask my machinist friend, he's really into metallurgy. I thought it was the lower the series the more iron content that was in it, I'm not certain either lol

 

[rondoman]

Mine has a lot of surface rust already. Wisconsin is notorious for heavy salt use though.

 

[ChrisJ]

Lmao, well don't we sound smart:sadbanana:

I'll have to ask my machinist friend, he's really into metallurgy. I thought it was the lower the series the more iron content that was in it, I'm not certain either lol

Good thing its about helping each other and not about sounding smart eh? :banana:

 

[qwed94]

Yes salt and wet roads in general will contribute to exhaust rusting. So will short trips. Realize condensation sets in "everyones" engine (especially sitting overnight). It takes several minutes for the condensation to completely flow through the exhaust system. That is why MOST exhaust systems fail in the rear area first, and most dont rust "out" from the cat forward. (I didnt say they dont rust at all-just not rust till there are holes). The heat from the engine dries out from cat-forward first.

Now that pic from the OP---That was on a SPARK? Right? That actually did look a bit rusty, but I think it will last a good while. I wouldnt fret it yet. (Sorry I didnt do a good search, but where is the muffler on a Spark? Right at the very rear?) Not that it matters, just wondering.

BTW--as soon as someone knows POSITIVELY about the ability of a magnet to stick to stainless let us know. I will say this. On my silverware it says "stainless steel" on the back. My fridge magnet just clinged right to it "tight". Just sayin.

 

[SuperFudd]

There is stainless steel and there is stainless steel. The good stuff is not attractive to magnets.

 

[ChrisJ]

There is stainless steel and there is stainless steel. The good stuff is not attractive to magnets.

I tested my Henckles flatware and it does attract magnets as do my JA Henckles knives. One of these knives was well over $100.
If that stainless is good enough for what some consider to be highend flatware and cutlery, then I have to think it is good enough for an exhaust system.


Next weekend, I'll check the stainless steel evaporators on my 1933 and 1934 GE refrigerators. When these were made, the man (Christian Dantsizen) that held the patent to "stainless iron" worked for General Electric. I don't know, but I'd be willing to bet they may be the first appliances to ever have stainless steel used in their construction.

 

[$ub$onic]

You do love your old refrigerators don't you

 

[sx sonic]

You do love your old refrigerators don't you

That made me laugh.

 

[ChrisJ]

You do love your old refrigerators don't you

Na, but they do amaze me.

You realize I talk about them less than you talk about Cummins right.

 

[sx sonic]

There is stainless steel and there is stainless steel. The good stuff is not attractive to magnets.

While cheaper stainless steel often has higher iron content. Just because a magnet sticks to it does not necessarily mean it is cheap metal. As has already been mentioned there are different series of stainless, each with its own iron content among other metals in its composition.

Each series has an application so its not cut or dry one is better than the other. It's like comparing trucks to cars, what are ya using it for.