SS vs. Mild Steel Exhaust System | FerrariChat
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SS vs. Mild Steel Exhaust System

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by blkprlz, Oct 25, 2012.

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  1. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2007
    2,169
    Tampa bay
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    Bruce
    #1 blkprlz, Oct 25, 2012
    During the hunt for stainless, it was recommended by some that the mild steel set-up sounds more throaty (like the Daytona) whereas the SS has a more tinny sound because of the thinner gauge of stainless used. I'd rather have the throaty sound.
    While stainless is forever, the mild steel should last a fairly long time providing you drive 'til the oil if fully heated up & the gear shift lever is 'hot', & not exposing it to corrosive materials when present on the road.
    I'm also considering SS headers because from what I'm reading, coatings do require maintenance (cleaning/plus how do you get to them on a regular basis?) & I don't know how much metal is left in 30 yr. old headers...hate to throw good $$ after bad :mad:

    My initial plan is to run 2 1/4" mild steel straight pipes from the SS headers to some Ansa rear sections. I know some of you have SS exhausts, what's your take on all of this? & I know some of you have run straight pipes to rear SS mufflers, were the straight pipes stainless as well??
     
  2. SouthJersey400i

    SouthJersey400i Formula 3

    Mar 14, 2007
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    Ken Battle
    #2 SouthJersey400i, Oct 26, 2012
    Bruce

    My car is very similar to Dave Stacy's car with respect to exhaust. I have SS pipes, I think 2 1/2" but might be 2 1/4". They start with a 2 into 1 adapter at the front from the headers. Then they go straight to the rear axle. I believe there is a flange at the end of the straight run. Then over the axle (or is it under?) to a single muffler (not resonator). I have a polished SS muffler of unknown supply plus twin tip ANSA final outlets. Dave has a Dynomax or similar American brand muffler at the back. Dave has posted the exact model several times.

    People following behind me love the sound. Inside the car it is nice for a while but a little bit too much drone on a long trip.

    Ken
     
  3. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

    Nov 19, 2008
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    Steven Robertson
    #3 miurasv, Oct 26, 2012
    Stainless is not forever. "Stainless" means what it says. It "stains less" but is NOT stain proof. Just saying.
     
  4. full_garage

    full_garage Formula 3
    Owner

    Feb 15, 2010
    2,241
    Sarasota Florida
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    Jay
    #4 full_garage, Oct 26, 2012
    Very different results for different exhaust systems- Even small things can make big changes in the sound both within the cabin and outside.

    I had an OEM Ansa (Steel) on my 412- still in OK shape but replaced it with an SS Ansa system- silly expensive and sounds exactly the same if not better.

    On y 400i It had a Stebro- HORRIBLE in the cabin- so boomy and obnoxious at 30000 RPM that I almost could not stand to drive the car. Replaced it with an Ansa style SS system from Timevalve in Florida (Less than half the cost of the genuine Ansa replacmeent system from Eurospares) and the car is incredible- liquid smooth, throaty yet refined, and just barks when you put your foot down.

    I would think a really good SS system should sound fantastic. For me at least- I don't like a hotrod exhaust on these cars- a good ANSA-style system is still plenty loud and throaty.
     
  5. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
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    Jan 23, 2006
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    Dave
    #5 dstacy, Oct 27, 2012
    Its hard to help considering sound is subjective but frankly I think you'll be happy either way. Inside my car as we've talked about before the sound is great when you stomp on it but not bad at all at cruising speeds. People who have been behind me tell me it roars out the back. As a bonus the stainless looks pretty tough.
     
  6. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2007
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    Bruce
    #6 blkprlz, Oct 29, 2012
    I meant from a corrosion stand point.



    I thought about collecting the 2 header outlets of each bank but I'm concerned about excessive back pressure at hi R's. With the X-sectional area of 2-2 1/4" pipes at around 8" sq. in. & a single 3" pipe at 7", it's probably doable but I'm leaning towards running dual pipes to the rear sections.



    Where do you get Ansa tips Ken?
    What's the difference in sound/levels between mufflers & resonators?



    I remember Aidan mentioning Timevalve in Conn. way back, & I now see they have a plant in Melbourne as well :) People have always commented how quiet the car is when they found out it was a Ferrari, until recently that is. The engine seems to make more sound when I stomp on it rather than the exhaust...now all that noise is beneath me :(



    +1!



    I'm curious Dave, did you collect your 2 header pipes into one on each side?
    & were you able to get 'genuine' Ansa tips?
     
  7. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

    Nov 19, 2008
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    #7 miurasv, Oct 29, 2012
    I meant it from a corrosion stand point too. Stainless Steel corrodes less but is not corrosion proof and is not forever in the case of an exhaust system.
     
  8. SouthJersey400i

    SouthJersey400i Formula 3

    Mar 14, 2007
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    Ken Battle
    #8 SouthJersey400i, Oct 30, 2012
    Bruce
    My exhaust is just the way it was when I bought the car. There is an ANSA part number on the dual tips. If I ever need new tips I would start searching that part number to see what I found.

    I hope Dave answers. I am curious if the front of this "straight pipe" is same as mine.
    Ken
     

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