Hello All...

This has probably been discussed many times over, but
I can't seem to find an answer in the archives to the
following...

For a NA 6 port, 13b, why choose 321 stainless steel
over 304 for the exhaust?  Or Inconel 625 over 321? 

Is it a comfort level or a need?  Also, it seemed that
321 .035 was living on the edge and that most were
using in the .060+ range.  Is this the prevailing
wisdom?

Finally, is visually possible to determine what is 304
and what is 321? 

I ask this as I am going over to a used parts race
shop and they just have a pile of exhaust pipe, no
rhyme or reason to the pile.  Thus, if it really
didn't matter on the SS alloy I could just pick the
pipes I needed and hack and slash as necessary.

Thanx!!!  Many thanks to all who posted pics of their
coils and water pump surgeries!!!!

-Scott

Prevailing wisdom?   In this group?

But seriously, here's my take.  321 is my choice because of temperature tolerance,  known quality, and most importantly, ease of welding.  Any extra I pay for the pipe is more than made up for by doing my own welding.  Economy is very high on my list of priorities but I would not do my exhaust pipe shopping from a used pile of race parts.

Tracy  (1370+ hours on .035" wall 321 stainless)