Megan or 42DD exhaust

[Hondapicker]

The time has come to replace the rotten stock exhaust on the Golf.

Here is my issue, I am a proponent of buying quality parts the first go around, saves time and money down the road. But here are some of my concerns:
NY winters can take a toll on the undercarriage of a car, I'm betting aluminized steel would not hold up over time. I only plan on keeping the car, at the most maybe 5 years.
So with that in mind, considering price, durability and sound, it's a toss up of the 42DD aluminized steel exhaust or Megan stainless.
Basically I'd like something that will be durable, but at the same time sound decent and not cost me 1/3 of what I paid for the car, which most other "higher end" stainless systems or the ceramic coated 42DD system will be.
2000 VW Golf 1.8T - handles daily everyday commuter activities.
Will see tough NY salt winters, especially where I work.

42DD exhaust:
-CNC mandrel bent 14 gauge aluminized steel tubing
-CNC machined 1018 cold roll steel flanges
-Professional TIG welded construction throughout
-Magnaflow resonator & muffler
-304 stainless steel polished tips
-Double layer graphite gaskets
-Grade 5 locking hardware

-Considered for quality fitment and sound.
-$487 shipped, add another $210 for ceramic coating. By time all is said and done, it's just over $700 for it, it's close, but not quite 1/3 of what I paid for the car.



Megan Racing
- Dual 2.5" round tip with 2.5" piping
- 2.38" or 60.5mm ID Perforated Core Muffler
- 3-Piece
- 100% stainless steel with polish finish
- Warranty included
-$350 shipped



AT face value, the Megan looks to be the best bet, but am not sure how well it fits.
Thoughts, opinions, feedback?

[Einkaufswagen]

42DD all day.

I wouldent bother with the ceramic coating if you are pinching pennies, i have had my aluminized for about 3 years now and its holding up perfectly fine, I daily drive it in new england salt hell as well.

[Hondapicker]

42DD all day.

I wouldent bother with the ceramic coating if you are pinching pennies, i have had my aluminized for about 3 years now and its holding up perfectly fine, I daily drive it in new england salt hell as well.

Well in NY we spread salt like it's free, and the fact I work and commute to an underground salt mine, the car will see more than usual salt and muck.

[Einkaufswagen]

I live in RI its just as bad here trust me the aluminized is fine. My brother has the ceramic coated one and they literaly are both holding up the same.

[Big_Tom]

Well in NY we spread salt like it's free, and the fact I work and commute to an underground salt mine, the car will see more than usual salt and muck.

i was gonna say 42dd all day because u work in a salt mine, i'd prob go with the stainless megan setup. have it welded up instead of using the clamps and you should be good

[John@42]

Well in NY we spread salt like it's free, and the fact I work and commute to an underground salt mine, the car will see more than usual salt and muck.

We have these systems all around the world, in many areas with conditions worse than NY roads. We took into account corrosion when selecting materials to build our exhaust out of and aluminized steel will hold up to what is thrown at it. There will be some surface rust but you will find out that we use very thick, quality materials that are designed to withstand what they are put up against. If you ever have an issue with something rusting through (which is a very VERY small percentage) give me a call and let me fix it for you.



Q: So what does all that actually mean? I am concerned about rust.

A: Let’s start with the piping. Aluminized steel is a basic low-carbon steel with a coating of aluminum bonded
to the pipe inside and out. Like any coating, the aluminum protects the steel from the elements, preventing
rust. It holds up to 1600° and will never peel or flake off. The pipe underneath cannot rust until the aluminum
corrodes and the coating is degraded.
Our flanges are cut from 1018 cold roll steel. This material machines fairly easily and is consistent. We machine
to exacting precision to ensure proper fitment on your vehicle. Precision aside, steel rusts. The flanges will get a
coating of rust on them immediately, but are too thick to “fall apart” within the normal lifespan of this system.
Our flex section is made from 300 series stainless steel. The flex section will darken as it’s heated becoming a
dark brown color. This is normal for all stainless steel. The clamping bands on our flex sections are aluminized
steel and will share the same characteristics as our piping.
Our catalytic converter is provided in 409 stainless steel. 409 stainless steel is essentially mild steel with
enough chromium added to slow down the corrosion. It will turn dark brown quickly and will rust slowly over
time.
Our hardware is cad/zinc plated. This plating acts as a protective layer reacting with the corrosive environment
before it can reach the steel.

-John

[Hondapicker]

We have these systems all around the world, in many areas with conditions worse than NY roads.

I prob drive on one of the worse ones in order to get to the plant.
With haul trucks using the same road to haul the road salt from there, in the winter, there is lots of snow, mud, salt, water and just muck that accumulates on the road.
Which I why my concern, which will be the best value for the time I'm going to have the car and hold up the best, based on conditions that I drive it in.

[WillToBeWeird]

Go with the aluminized system and just be sure to wash under your car as often as you can and spray wax sealant after every wash

[VR JC]

I would go EuroJet, I have nothing bad to say about mine at all. Sorry if it was mentioned it was a long OP.

[Hondapicker]

I would go EuroJet, I have nothing bad to say about mine at all. Sorry if it was mentioned it was a long OP.

No it wasn't mentioned.
Pics/specs on it?

[baun]

I my 42DD system

[kylevvGTI]

if your willing to spend 700$ why not just buy a good stainless?

[Hondapicker]

if your willing to spend 700$ why not just buy a good stainless?

I never said I was willing too....

Basically I'd like something that will be durable, but at the same time sound decent and not cost me 1/3 of what I paid for the car, which most other "higher end" stainless systems or the ceramic coated 42DD system will be.

[vweatsvtec]

Get 42 ive had mine for over 4 winters in ny daily driver and holding up amazing I Love the sound and the fitment.

[Hondapicker]

I realize all exhaust will rust or show signs of rust at some point, it's a question of when and how much.
Looking around and using some common sense, it's clear that aluminum will rust faster, SS exhausts will usually outlive the car.

I may shop around and price out having a local shop, in the Binghamton area, to custom make a SS system.

Get 42 ive had mine for over 4 winters in ny daily driver and holding up amazing I Love the sound and the fitment.

You don't see the same amount of snow we see up here, nor do they spread salt down there like they do up here in Central and Western NY.

I realize all exhaust will rust or show signs of rust at some point, it's a question of when and how much.
Looking around and using some common sense, it's clear that aluminum will rust faster, SS exhausts will usually outlive the car.

[Hondapicker]

Passed on both of the ones posted above and found someone locally selling a BNIB 2.25" Magnaflow SS cat back exhaust.

[scirockalot8v]

i support a US made product. 42DD.
yeah the megan exhaust might be stainless but i bet the piping is thin and cheap. its just an ebay chinese exhaust that a company rebrands with their name.

[alankitzmiller]

Promise that you will not be satisfied with piping that small. and with no down pipe, you won't get the full affect of what an exhaust system could potentially do for your car. You also may find that this wont hold up as well as you expect it to-- mine hasn't. will be switching mine up in the next week

[Dutchmastr9]

quad deuce FTW

[Hondapicker]

Promise that you will not be satisfied with piping that small. and with no down pipe, you won't get the full affect of what an exhaust system could potentially do for your car. You also may find that this wont hold up as well as you expect it to-- mine hasn't. will be switching mine up in the next week

Piping size was not a consideration or an issue.
This is for my DD, not looking to turn it into anything else.
Aluminized steel would not hold up in the moist, salty, muck covered road I drive on in the winter, and the Megan was no longer being considered.
It was down to the Magnaflow or a simple OEM replacement.

As far as SS not holding up, I've had TWO Thermal Research exhaust for two Hondas' I used to own and they held up beautifully over the 5 yrs I had them.
So from some past experience, SS has held up much better than anything else I've seen.

[Big_Tom]

i think the 2.25" is too small as well, but if you dont care i dont care. it is a nice stainless setup tho, not if they only offered this in 3" piping lol

[Hondapicker]

i think the 2.25" is too small as well, but if you dont care i dont care. it is a nice stainless setup tho,

Piping size was not a deciding factor, wasn't looking for performance gains, just needed something durable that will last and look good/close to factory at a great price, which with this, I think I got.

[Big_Tom]

Piping size was not a deciding factor, wasn't looking for performance gains, just needed something durable that will last and look good/close to factory at a great price, which with this, I think I got.

yup, i know u were shooting for a nice durable stainless setup and not so much for performance

[MrSavvy]

You have an American company, 42DD, who even posts on a user-level here on a VW forum for support. And they have gaurenteed it won't rust. And who is backed up by a majority of forum members here. I think you have your answer.

[Big_Tom]

You have an American company, 42DD, who even posts on a user-level here on a VW forum for support. And they have gaurenteed it won't rust. And who is backed up by a majority of forum members here. I think you have your answer.

magnaflow is an American company. Also, 42DD uses magnaflow mufflers

[Fastvolks]

Since the OP went with a Magnaflow exhaust I remember reading a article in Eurotuner which they did HP and torque test with several big names at the time 2.5" exhaust and the only one 2.25" which was the Magnaflow but it came out on top, 171.15 HP & 182.97 TQ. Check it out, granted it was on a VR6 but still...
http://www.eurotuner.com/techarticle...n/viewall.html

[MrSavvy]

magnaflow is an American company. Also, 42DD uses magnaflow mufflers

Ah. I didn't read posts since yesterday in this thread. I was just talking about Maegan vs 42DD.

[Big_Tom]

Ah. I didn't read posts since yesterday in this thread. I was just talking about Maegan vs 42DD.

[Hondapicker]

You have an American company, 42DD, who even posts on a user-level here on a VW forum for support. And they have gaurenteed it won't rust. And who is backed up by a majority of forum members here. I think you have your answer.

Magnaflow is an American Co and an established one at that. Even 42 uses their mufflers.
You can't guarantee aluminized steel will not rust, it will.
304 marine grade or even the lower grade 409 SS will last longer than aluminized steel.
Stainless steel is stronger of the two, it' more durable than aluminized steel.
Stainless steel has a higher tolerance to corrosion. Aluminumized steel will rot if the coating gets broken.

So yes, the choice is clear.

[A-Bugg]

Since the OP went with a Magnaflow exhaust I remember reading a article in Eurotuner which they did HP and torque test with several big names at the time 2.5" exhaust and the only one 2.25" which was the Magnaflow but it came out on top, 171.15 HP & 182.97 TQ. Check it out, granted it was on a VR6 but still...
http://www.eurotuner.com/techarticle...n/viewall.html

That might be the complete opposite on a 1.8t. The VR6 needs the backpressure the 1.8t needs the free flowing openness. A larger exhaust on a NA motor isn't always a good thing.

[Bierce IV]

I also live in NY and my 42DD has seen 2 winters and not one issue. If anything, the very outter edge of the flanges show weathering but nothing else. And mine is NOT coated.

[MikeTooch]

Definitely picking up a 42DD


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[Einkaufswagen]

I also live in NY and my 42DD has seen 2 winters and not one issue. If anything, the very outter edge of the flanges show weathering but nothing else. And mine is NOT coated.

Prety much how mine is. 2 winters deep salt, slush, daily driven, and it looks great under there.

[Hondapicker]

Here is my old commuter Civic. The rear quarters were complete, not rotten through when I bought the car, through 3 winters of driving the muck, slushy salt road, this is how it ended up when I was getting rid of it.
[IMG]

A lot of guys at work for some reason spend crazy amounts of money on new(er) trucks, only to have them showing elevated signs of rot after 2-3 yrs. The salty roadway, mixed with the moisture from the lake and salt in the air, is a corrosion nightmare.
I'd rather put my money on the stainless rather than some coating.

Everyone has their opinion, I feel based on the environment and elevated corrosion, my money was better spent on the stainless.

[Einkaufswagen]

Here is my old commuter Civic. The rear quarters were complete, not rotten through when I bought the car, through 3 winters of driving the muck, slushy salt road, this is how it ended up when I was getting rid of it.
[IMG]

A lot of guys at work for some reason spend crazy amounts of money on new(er) trucks, only to have them showing elevated signs of rot after 2-3 yrs. The salty roadway, mixed with the moisture from the lake and salt in the air, is a corrosion nightmare.
I'd rather put my money on the stainless rather than some coating.

Everyone has their opinion, I feel based on the environment and elevated corrosion, my money was better spent on the stainless.

Ehh more than likely although your exhaust is "Stainless Steel" it is probably a lower cheaper grade like 409SS which isn’t actually "Stainless" in fact it will stain (Rust) just not as easily and quickly as a straight steel alloy. A ceramic coating if done properly such as 42DD's is still worlds better than a SS exhaust, lighter, more insulated, and completely "Stainless" unless the coating is compromised by removing it. Either way enjoy your exhaust just don’t think its invincible to the elements.