Does anyone know if the 06 TL has a stainless steel rear muffler (specifically the left rear)? I need to know for insurance purposes. If it is not stainless, insurance will only pay a certain percentage. If it is stainless, insurance will cover the entire amount.

 

I've left my stock exhaust system outside in the back yard for almost a year now.
the only thing that is rusting are the bolts and maybe some hangars...

the muffler's and pipes are still Silver!!!!

i'm betting that they are stainless steel.

 

havnt quite seen a stock mufflers ina while. but it looked disgusting.

 

sitting outside for a year, and it's been underneath the car since '06

 

dat steel is lookin so stainless

 

I'm more interested in details on why insurance is replacing OP's exhaust.

 

car accident

I wonder how I can find out for sure if it's stainless.

My other option is to just sand the scratch out of the tip and repolish it. Does anyone know if the finish will last if you polish it yourself?

 

This is odd. What insurance do you have? They're bound by contract to return the car to its pre-accident state, so what the hell difference does it make whether it's made of stainless steel or tree bark? It's a factory part. I'd be having fun with this one if I were in your shoes.

 

It was the shop that told me that some items are considered "wear" items. They're doing research to find out if the muffler is stainless or not.

I was thinking about having some fun with it too. The bumper cover needs to be replaced, so I was toying with the possibility of replacing it with a Type S cover so that quad tips would fit, but then I'm wondering if it's too much trouble. Is the bumper cover the only thing I need to change for the Type S exhaust system to fit?

 

Yeah I seriously doubt the OEM exhaust is stainless steel.


Its looks to be coated with a special paint from preventing rust, corrode, etc.

 

It looks like the Type S bumper cover requires a lip?

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/e-121-diy-installing-type-s-aspec-rear-lip-base-tl-bumper-709992/

So that would mean that in addition to the bumper cover, I'd have to purchase the lip. I guess I'll have to pass on that for now. I only get $322 for the regular bumper cover.

 

no. if you upgrade to the 07-08 type-s rear bumper, the aspec kit is optional.

it's an additional lip, ONLY if you want it.
However, the DIY you linked, is for some one who has an 04-08 BASE bumper. you can install the optional lip, and it will provide the bigger outlets for the quad exhaust.

if your insurance company is replacing the rear bumper, replace it with the 07-08 type s bumper so you dont have to do anything.

 

How much is the insurance company giving you in allowance for the exhaust? You might want to consider a new aftermarket exhaust now and chip in some extra money on your end.

 

If I recall a magnet wont stick to some SS

http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...gnets-work-on/

 

I vote for stainless. As I recall all manufacturers switched to stainless years ago for longevity (i.e. they are required to have a long emissions warranty). Found this web site.

From this paper an exhaust system might or might not be magnetic.

 

That is true, except that a magnet won't stick to almost all stainless, depends on the alloy.


I'm pretty sure it is stainless, when I had my exhaust tips moved out they inserted a piece of what I'm pretty sure was stainless and then welded.

 

Doh, I just called the shop, and they already primed the new bumper cover. Oh well =) The thought was fun while it lasted.

Here's the Type S exhaust I wanted. It was only $400 shipped when I checked last night.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141193420258...84.m1423.l2649

The insurance company is giving me $322 plus painting for the cover, and if the muffler is stainless steel, $460 for the muffler.

 

so, the DIY link is applicable to you now, since you replaced it with a base bumper.

IF that's the route you want to go.


and I feel your pain, I recently put my car in the shop for some insurance work.

 

THEY ARE STAINLESS STEEL.

And it is common to charge betterment on wearable items, the insurance company only owes to put you into pre loss condition. Buying you a new muffler would put you in better then pre loss condition. This does not apply to stainless steel as it does not rust out.

 

I was just told by the shop that they are not stainless. They told me they didn't see it marked as stainless, and they contacted Acura. Is there any other way to find out for sure? Should I try to call Acura? Who would I call?

 

I was under the impression that most factory exhausts are a lower grade stainless like 409, it'll take a very long time to rust through but will typically get some surface rust after a few years. Higher quality aftermarket exhausts are 304 or 318 stainless with are far more corrosion resistant.

 

Zone rep for Acura?