When choosing an exhaust for your Ford Mustang, the main goal is to add the sound and power you crave. But if it’s made of inferior materials, then there’s only so much it will add to the performance – and whatever it does add won’t last long. Stainless steel Mustang exhausts are the best way to Hear the Difference, Feel the Performance and Get Noticed for years to come. Here’s why stainless steel is the best material for Mustang exhausts.

What is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is an iron alloy formulated to resist rust and corrosion better than mild steel and aluminized steel. To qualify as stainless steel, the material must contain a minimum of 10.5% chromium and a maximum of 1.2% carbon. Adding small amounts of other elements like nickel, manganese and titanium will also alter the properties.

Benefits of Stainless Steel Exhausts

Before going any further, we should point out that Mustang stainless steel exhaust systems will be more expensive than mild steel or aluminized exhausts. However, there are many reasons why the investment is worth it:

• Stainless steel is much more resistant to rust and corrosion. The chromium forms an oxide surface layer when exposed to oxygen, which protects the metal beneath and can repair itself over time.
• Stainless steel will handle higher temperatures than other steel. This means a stainless exhaust will support higher exhaust flow and thus create more power.
• Because of these properties, stainless steel exhausts are more durable. Even low-end stainless steel systems will last more than twice as long as mild and aluminized pipes.
• Stainless steel is eco-friendly. The material is infinitely recyclable and its composition is not affected by exposure to water, heat and other elements.
• High-quality stainless steel looks better. It has a natural high-gloss sheen that will stand out on exhaust tips, and you can also give it a brushed, engraved or tinted finish.

Types of Stainless Steel

So it’s time to grab the first stainless steel Ford Mustang exhaust, you see, right? Not necessarily. There are many stainless steel grades for exhaust systems, with the most common being T409, T439 and T304. Let’s examine them:

T409 stainless steel

Commonly used for making factory exhausts, a T409 stainless steel exhaust contains 10.5-11.75% chromium and lasts 8-10 years. It may develop light surface rust that you scrape away with a wire brush. This material doesn’t hold a polish, meaning a dull finish.

T439 stainless steel

This material increases the chromium content to 18% and adds 0.5% nickel, increasing corrosion resistance and making it polishable. A T439 stainless result will last 10-plus years, though it may still develop surface rust.

T304 stainless steel

The highest-quality stainless for over-the-road applications, T304 exhausts are roughly 20% chromium and 10% nickel. These exhausts simply won’t rust and have excellent corrosion resistance. Over time, high heat will change the material’s color to golden brown.

At MRT, we handcraft all Mustang exhaust systems in T304 stainless steel with mandrel-bent tubing. Because we use this premium material, we confidently offer a limited lifetime warranty.