What to look for when buying a used exhaust?

[fabriziox1]

Hey guys, I've found a few locals selling exhaust which I am interested in buying but I do not know what to look for when buying a used one. Obviously it looks dirty/used as it is but I dont mind, what i care about is not buying something that is broken or soon to brake.

In summary can someone tell me what to look for/how to test it without driving.

[RJasonKlein]

Is this an April Fool’s joke a little more than a month late? Seriously, the exhaust isn’t a mechanical component and aside from rust on the cannister, piping, flanges, and hardware (all pretty unlikely in Miami), about the only thing that can break down over time is the internal packing. That takes quite a while and it doesn’t go south overnight, so even if you could ‘test’ it by driving with it, unless you did a back-to-back comparison with a new version of the same model exhaust, you’d be unable to tell if the used exhaust you were buying was incrementally louder than the new one.

Basically, you’re going to be interested in the physical appearance looking for scarapes, dents, or the rust in the places I mentioned above, along with the mileage or time the exhaust has been on the previous car - if it’s well used, you’re that much closer to its theoretical end-of-life due to the packing breaking down, although most of us never reach that point in reality.

I think the biggest consideration should be to make sure you’re getting the right exhaust for you based on the sound (especially when combined with other exhaust modifications, like a header, overpipe, and front pipe), quality, and appearance you’re looking for. In other words, don’t buy the wrong exhaust because it’s a good deal.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by RJasonKlein

.....................I think the biggest consideration should be to make sure you’re getting the right exhaust for you based on the sound (especially when combined with other exhaust modifications, like a header, overpipe, and front pipe), quality, and appearance you’re looking for. In other words, don’t buy the wrong exhaust because it’s a good deal.

Yep, worth repeating .....

As long as it fits your car and fits your requirements and it doesn't have any broken welds and the price is right ...... you should be good to go.


humfrz

[NRXRaptor]

don't listen to these fools. just make sure the muffler bearings are lubed up and you're good to go. sealed muffler bearing are also a sign of a quality exhaust: dust won't get in them and you don't have to re-grease them

[fabriziox1]

Thank you guys. I simply did not know what to look for, clearly im new .

[RJasonKlein]

Originally Posted by fabriziox1

Thank you guys. I simply did not know what to look for, clearly im new .

We’ve all been there! Seriously, you should never hesitate to throw things out to the forum - we may give you a hard time, but there are a lot of good people here that are willing to help out. Have fun and keep rocking the 86!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by NRXRaptor

don't listen to these fools. just make sure the muffler bearings are lubed up and you're good to go. sealed muffler bearing are also a sign of a quality exhaust: dust won't get in them and you don't have to re-grease them

........ pay attention, NRXRapture ...... that's only for turbocharged mufflers ...... the OP doesn't say his FR-S is turbocharged .......


humfrz

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by fabriziox1

Thank you guys. I simply did not know what to look for, clearly im new .

That's OK, there, fabriziox1, not all of us cut our teeth on a 9/16" wrench.

No, that's not me ...... that kid has shoes on ......


humfrz

[BirdTRD]

On a more serious note...Inspect all of the weld areas for cracks. Here's some examples of what I've had.