MBRP Exhaust Lifespan?

[Anthony386]

Looking for input here. I have the same dual exhaust system from Stage3Motorsports. It was installed around March/April of 2020. Just yesterday I noticed my passenger side exhaust tip hanging lower than my driver side. I crawled under the truck to take a look & both pipes are rusted out & broken at the split. The passenger side is completely sheered off, which is why it was hanging lower. The driver side is right behind it. I've read mixed opinions on this so my question - is 5 years a typical lifespan for aftermarket parts due to normal wear & tear, or should I be reaching out to Stage3 for some kind of assistance? All other purchases made from Stage3 have been of great quality & without issue, so I am thinking maybe this isn't an QC issue? Thanks in advance!

EDIT - I see my mistake here fellas, thanks for the input! This was my first truck so a lot of this I am learning as I go. I've also been made aware this is not a Stage3 issue as they are only a distributor. I'll def be doing more homework before future purchases. Thank you to all who responded.

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[got3fords]

What kind of metal is that? Aluminized steel, stainless?

 

[Blmpkn]

This is why you're not supposed to buy aluminized shit.

Stainless or it's a waste of money, especially in the salt belt.

 

[airline tech]

If that is the only damaged area - I would just cut it out and then weld in a connector and pipe.
As it appears (due to the clamps) it is a choke point for moisture (thus moisture pooling) a welded joint connection will give it a better flow path, not sure if you could give it more of a downhill slope due to the spare as from the pic it appears to be a small uphill slope before it drops and moisture is being held in the pipe and with the clamp connections makes it worse.
I am sure a muffler shop can get you (fixed up) fairly cheap. This would be the easiest and quickest solution.

 

[Loweredon33s]

Their stainless kits are great and last a long time. You bought a cheap mild steel kit and got what would be expected of it.

 

[Dgc333]

I can remember when exhaust systems were mild steel and didn't have an aluminized coating. You were lucky if you got 2 years out of the system if you lived in the snow belt. The aluminized steel system on my 68 Barracuda is over 15 years old but it is not driven in the winter if there is snow or salt on the roads and is still in great shape.

The 409 stainless that the OEMs have been using typically lasts the life of the vehicle. I typically keep a car 7 to 10 years and put 200,000+ miles on them and have never had to replace and exhaust. The 409 will corrode but very slowly. A lot of the aftermarket exhausts are made from 304 stainless. 304 is stronger so they can use thinner metal for a weight savings. It also can be highly polished for the bling factor. It is also significantly more expensive than 409.

BTW, I am coming up on 4 years on my 409 stainless MBRP system on my Ranger. Other than dirt and discoloration on the pipes and surface rust on the welds it is holding up well.

 

[JohnnyO]

Stage 3 doesn't make the exhaust, they just sell it. As mentioned, aluminized steel is gonna rust. Stainless costs more but lasts longer.

 

[dozxab]

As others have said, the material is key. The other factor is where you drive. For every gallon of gas burned, over a gallon of water is produced. If you don't drive far enough to get the exhaust hot, the water sits in there and does it's thing. For a while, I lived 2 miles from work and with that commute, my 2009 Ranger went through an exhaust system in about a year. Fortunately, a good friend had a shop the specialized in Rangers and gave me one from a parts truck.

 

[RedDakooter05]

If I can't afford the stainless, I'll at least throw on a few coats of exhaust paint if I got cheapo aluminized. Get an extra couple years.


Although, still better to just buy the higher quality material. Especially if you're doing a full kit.
Just doing a muffler? Sure going cheap will work.

 

[Loweredon33s]

Stage 3 doesn't make the exhaust, they just sell it. As mentioned, aluminized steel is gonna rust. Stainless costs more but lasts longer.

I think it’s funny that it’s portrayed like it’s Stage3’s problem or defect. It’s really all on the person who purchased it.

 

[OFC Ranger]

So wait, I'm seeing terms like aluminized steel. This is new to me.

When I started doing hobby metal working on here a few years ago one of the first things I learned is you do not join steel and aluminum unless you absolutely have a fail-safe coating in between. Probably common knowledge to most, but to me I learned that aluminum and steel will naturally rot each other if left in contact.

/scratches head

And they actually combine the two on some exhausts? wtf

 

[Grumpaw]

So wait, I'm seeing terms like aluminized steel. This is new to me.

When I started doing hobby metal working on here a few years ago one of the first things I learned is you do not join steel and aluminum unless you absolutely have a fail-safe coating in between. Probably common knowledge to most, but to me I learned that aluminum and steel will naturally rot each other if left in contact.

/scratches head

And they actually combine the two on some exhausts? wtf

Aluminumized Steel" is just basic mild steel that has been coated with an aluminum based coating....may have a few other chemicals mixed in, but thats it.....just coated steel pipe for an exhaust.

 

[Dgc333]

So wait, I'm seeing terms like aluminized steel. This is new to me.

When I started doing hobby metal working on here a few years ago one of the first things I learned is you do not join steel and aluminum unless you absolutely have a fail-safe coating in between. Probably common knowledge to most, but to me I learned that aluminum and steel will naturally rot each other if left in contact.

/scratches head

And they actually combine the two on some exhausts? wtf

Aluminized steel is produced by dipping steel into a molten aluminum silicon alloy. The end result is an outer layer of the aluminum silicon alloy, and intermediate layer (just molecules thick) of steel/aluminum/silicon alloy and the inner base steel. There is no galvanic action that causes corrosion like steel being in contact with aluminum as in a steel bolt threaded into aluminum. I guess you could call that intermediate layer your fail safe coating.

Aluminized steel has been around for many many years. It has better corrosion and heat resistance compared to zinc galvanizing. It is also mechanically more durable than zinc galvanizing. I built a metal shop/garage in 2002 where all the metal panels are aluminized steel. 23 years latter there is no signs of corrosion on the panels and they still maintain their bright appearance.

 

[Loweredon33s]

Aluminized tu

So wait, I'm seeing terms like aluminized steel. This is new to me.

When I started doing hobby metal working on here a few years ago one of the first things I learned is you do not join steel and aluminum unless you absolutely have a fail-safe coating in between. Probably common knowledge to most, but to me I learned that aluminum and steel will naturally rot each other if left in contact.

/scratches head

And they actually combine the two on some exhausts? wtf

bi has been used for exhaust systems way longer than stainless has.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Huh learn something new every day. lol

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