FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why do you use 409 grade Stainless Steel?
409 Stainless Steel is the superior choice for your exhaust systems … 409 offers the best combination of both long life, corrosion resistance and heat cycle endurance. This is endorsed by the fact that most vehicle manufacturers choose 409 stainless for their factory exhaust systems. In fact we purchase our 409 tube from the same mill that supplies Toyota.
Aluminized Steel vs 409 Stainless Steel … which is better?
Aluminised steel is a good product for automotive exhaust applications – but 409 stainless is the best. Both offer excellent heat resistance and both can be easily welded. 409 offers more corrosion resistance than aluminised which has less resistance to exhaust gasses. Aluminised steel has been hot-dip coated with an aluminum-silicon alloy containing between 5 and 11% silicon to promote better adherence. Because the corrosion resistance of aluminised steel is only a coating it can be damaged, but the corrosion resistant properties of 409 stainless are inherent throughout the metal.
304 Stainless Steel vs 409 Stainless Steel … which is better?
409 is a titanium stabilized ferritic stainless steel which means that it is a steel alloy containing chromium. It contains less nickel and more carbon than 304 stainless steel. Ferritics are best suited for high temperature applications that require corrosion resistance and high strength. The principal use of 409 stainless steel is automotive exhaust systems and most catalytic converter shells are made of 409. More workable and stable than 304, 409 will accept bending and heat cycling better than 304. 409 resists both atmospheric and exhaust gas corrosion. It is magnetic due to its higher carbon content. Through chemical reaction, it oxidizes to a slight brownish hue which aids in corrosion resistance. While it does not polish well, it offers the advantages of higher strength and longer life due to its heat handling qualities. Be sure to ask for 409 Stainless for your exhaust system to get the best combination of both long life, corrosion resistance and heat resistance. 409 grade chemical composition specs
If this is stainless steel why is it magnetic?
It is commonly believed that stainless steel is not magnetic. This is true of grades of stainless that have a high content on chromium (such as 304 or 316 stainless steel) but 409 grade stainless steel is magnetic due to its higher carbon content.
I can see a tan or brown on the 409 stainless – is that rust?
No. Through chemical reaction, the surface of 409 sometimes oxidizes to a slight brownish hue. This oxidized layer actually aids in corrosion resistance. Under normal operating circumstances 409 will never rust out like mild steel.
Can I take my 4WD on the beach with my Genie stainless exhaust system?
In short, at your own risk. The ONLY grade of stainless steel that will not rust when exposed to salt water is 316 marine grade stainless (but even 316 will rust eventually). It is not practical to build 4wd exhaust systems from 316 grade stainless. Any lesser grade of stainless than 316 WILL rust sooner or later when exposed to salt water (and salt-laden sand flung up onto the vehicle from driving on the beach). Exposure to salt water voids any Genie warranty for corrosion related damage. If you do drive on the beach we strongly recommend that you thoroughly wash your exhaust system with fresh water after each exposure. Failure to do so will risk rusting your 409 grade stainless steel exhaust – and worse, it may jeopardize the safety of your vehicle by rusting your frame, suspension, bearings and body pan which will be more susceptible to rust than the 409 stainless.
Are Genie 4WD systems totally stainless?
We use the best materials for the job. That means most components are made from 409 stainless steel. In some systems we use polished 304 grade stainless for the mufflers cases and exhaust tips (where heat is not a problem). Where heat is a major issue (like turbo dumps) we use ceramic-coated 409 stainless steel for better durability and rapid heat transfer out of the engine bay.
What’s the benefit of ceramic-coated dump pipes?
The ceramic coating on our dump pipes improves your engine performance. It does this by reducing engine bay temperatures. The coating rapidly transfers the exhaust heat through the exhaust and out of the engine bay. Typically the outer temperature of a ceramic coated dump pipe will be 120 degrees celsius cooler than without the coating. Cooler engine bay temperatures means cooler intake temperatures which significantly improves engine performance. The coating also keeps your dump pipe looking great.
What’s inside your stainless mufflers
Many imported so-called stainless mufflers have a stainless outer case but have mild steel internals which quickly rust out. Genie’s mufflers ONLY have stainless steel internals and will never rust out.
How easy are Genie systems to fit?
We are proud of our reputation of building systems that fit better and easier than other after-market exhaust systems. Most other brands require a workshop hoist to fit and so are not DIY (unless you have your own workshop hoist). Genie exhaust system do not require a hoist for fitting. And we are constantly re-developing our existing product range for even easier fitting and to be compatible with more and more aftermarket suspension kits and long-range fuel tanks.