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My car was hit while it was parked on the street and the muffler was replaced. They said it was an OEM and I thought that it should be stainless steel. I never thought stainless steel would be painted black. Is there anyway this is a stainless steel muffler and oem?
Looks like a painted OEM. Maybe it was slightly used? Yes, there are high temp paints for exhaust.
The stock muffler is not a shiny stainless steel. In fact I'm not sure it is stainless steel at all. The stock exhaust/muffler is prone to rusting and looking like crap, one reason I replaced mine with the ATLP. Maybe the best mod to make your RDX look great!
Looks like a painted OEM. Maybe it was slightly used? Yes, there are high temp paints for exhaust.
The stock muffler is not a shiny stainless steel. In fact I'm not sure it is stainless steel at all. The stock exhaust/muffler is prone to rusting and looking like crap, one reason I replaced mine with the ATLP. Maybe the best mod to make your RDX look great!
My exhaust tips are horribly pitted and discoloured brown. I think it is stainless steel though, but maybe just not a very good grade. I am thinking of taking my tips off and buying a new set of oem ones this spring. Or taking it off completely and having a shop install something aftermarket.
Those ATLP exhausts are very nice. Just don't intend on paying $1600 for it.
atlp exhaust isnt 1600 its a few hundred cheaper than that =) I do wish it was more balanced for the exhaust flow though.. i know marcus has mentioned about it mainly having the exhaust shoot out of 1 side more than the other.. it seems the left side sees most the exhaust flow
atlp exhaust isnt 1600 its a few hundred cheaper than that =) I do wish it was more balanced for the exhaust flow though.. i know marcus has mentioned about it mainly having the exhaust shoot out of 1 side more than the other.. it seems the left side sees most the exhaust flow
Ah but my friend, you forget the US to CDN conversion. So in essence, it is closer to $2k with shipping. I am sure for $2K I could get a local shop to custom fabricate something amazing. Also was not aware of the unequal exhaust flow, I can't stand that!
Path of least resistance...chances are under heavy throttle you'll get a lot of gas out of both sides, but when idling it probably flows easier out one side than the other. I imagine the stock one does this too? I wouldn't know...there is maybe 2 times a year where I can actually see the steam from the exhaust. haha
Path of least resistance...chances are under heavy throttle you'll get a lot of gas out of both sides, but when idling it probably flows easier out one side than the other. I imagine the stock one does this too? I wouldn't know...there is maybe 2 times a year where I can actually see the steam from the exhaust. haha
Nope, stock one flows the same from both sides. The same deal with my fathers 09 santa fe. I don't see any reason why this one for like $1.2k shouldn't. It isn't a true dual exhaust, same as the santa fe. So I don't get it.
I do wish it was more balanced for the exhaust flow though.. i know marcus has mentioned about it mainly having the exhaust shoot out of 1 side more than the other.. it seems the left side sees most the exhaust flow
Yep this is a true statement. My car was running rich with certain tune I had on it with the Hondata device (not long.. only for testing). After driving for a bit one tip (left) was all full of black soot. The other (right), minty fresh and new. So yes the ATLP flows more from the left side?
I think the factory exhaust is stainless.. but definitely a low grade.
Yep this is a true statement. My car was running rich with certain tune I had on it with the Hondata device (not long.. only for testing). After driving for a bit one tip (left) was all full of black soot. The other (right), minty fresh and new. So yes the ATLP flows more from the left side?
I'm gonna have a look at my tips. I keep them looking pretty minty and don't drive many miles; maybe I won't be able to tell. But I'm wondering how much this really matters, since this isn't dual exhaust, just 2 pipes coming out of 1 muffler?
At least ATLP claims performance enhancements. One thing for sure, the larger and nicer tips are a huge upgrade IMO. I could never go back to the stock exhaust.
I'm gonna have a look at my tips. I keep them looking pretty minty and don't drive many miles; maybe I won't be able to tell. But I'm wondering how much this really matters, since this isn't dual exhaust, just 2 pipes coming out of 1 muffler?
At least ATLP claims performance enhancements. One thing for sure, the larger and nicer tips are a huge upgrade IMO. I could never go back to the stock exhaust.
The way I look at it, is yes it isn't a true dual exhaust, but having two exits for exhaust flow is better than one and seeing as how this system seems to favor one side over the other, this might even be more restrictie vs the stock exhaust?
I am thinking of having a local shop weld on some nice chrome 4" tips. That along with some big fat wheels should look awesome!
Path of least resistance...chances are under heavy throttle you'll get a lot of gas out of both sides, but when idling it probably flows easier out one side than the other. I imagine the stock one does this too? I wouldn't know...there is maybe 2 times a year where I can actually see the steam from the exhaust. haha
As you said, path of least resistance. The ATLP is larger diameter and slightly less convoluted than the stock exhaust and therefore should be less restrictive in any case. I would imagine it could be a little tricky to get exhaust perfectly balanced at low flow in the RDX type of design.
It was actually cold enough this morning to get about 30 seconds of steam out my exhaust, so I got a photo. Appears to be a slight bias to the left at idle, but was not conclusive to me. It was a little harder to see the steam on the concrete side, but I was too lazy to move it.
As you said, path of least resistance. The ATLP is larger diameter and slightly less convoluted than the stock exhaust and therefore should be less restrictive in any case. I would imagine it could be a little tricky to get exhaust perfectly balanced at low flow in the RDX type of design.
It was actually cold enough this morning to get about 30 seconds of steam out my exhaust, so I got a photo. Appears to be a slight bias to the left at idle, but was not conclusive to me. It was a little harder to see the steam on the concrete side, but I was too lazy to move it.
Is it just me or does that right pipe look lower than the left one?
^^LOL ya "looks" lower indeed because it is. The whole car is tilted to the right since the wheels are parked in our sloped gutter, and the street is already crowned.
^^LOL ya "looks" lower indeed because it is. The whole car is tilted to the right since the wheels are parked in our sloped gutter, and the street is already crowned.
I've never seen a black one except from the OP's photo. Certainly mine was never painted. If it was, maybe it would not have looked so horrid from it's life in Chicago.
I've never seen a black one except from the OP's photo. Certainly mine was never painted. If it was, maybe it would not have looked so horrid from it's life in Chicago.
I paint that big ass ugly thing black about once a year along with my ugly ass rusty hitch. Lol maybe others have done the same.
Why not take the hitch off. Of course assuming that you don't use it. Also I have been considering painting mine black too. The area where the 3 lines are is sort of rusted/browned. But have to say, mine has minimal rust on the undercarriage.
Why not take the hitch off. Of course assuming that you don't use it. Also I have been considering painting mine black too. The area where the 3 lines are is sort of rusted/browned. But have to say, mine has minimal rust on the undercarriage.
I do use the hitch on rare occasion. The brake rotors and the hitch are the only places showing rust everything else is holding up great. I'd like to replace the oem hitch with a regular sized aftermarket one: the oem hitch is extra ugly imo.
I do use the hitch on rare occasion. The brake rotors and the hitch are the only places showing rust everything else is holding up great. I'd like to replace the oem hitch with a regular sized aftermarket one: the oem hitch is extra ugly imo.
I don't even think my brake rotors are rusted. The exhaust tank-thing on mine isn't rusted. Just the part where the 3 lines are, is browned sort of. Maybe it is corroded, but not rusted.
I would replace it if I was you. Nothing uglier than a HUGE honking rusty hitch sticking out the back of the car. Imho, it detracts so much from a car. Had one on my last touareg and absolutely hated it!
11-20-2015, 01:32 PM
