Bought Apexi N1 USED, and starting to rust... Questions...

Zmann42087 · Dec 16, 2005

I was recently in the market for a cat back exhaust system for my GST. My decision on what to purchase came down to the Apexi N1 (aluminized steel piping) and the Espelir JGT500R (stainless steel piping). Both are great systems and both can be purchased for around $500 dollars. Initially, I decided on the Espelir system due to its SS piping and its high recommendation from RRE.
However, I ended up purchasing the Apexi N1 because I found what I thought was a really good deal on Ebay. I found the system in used, but good condition; only used for 3,000 miles. The price I won the exhaust for was $300 shipped. I believed this was a pretty good deal, and it still might be, but now I am second guessing my purchase because... Unfortunately, when I received the exhaust, I found that it had already begun to rust. As this is my first Apexi exhaust system, I am not sure how long the piping/system generally lasts before it needs to be discarded. I am not so sure I got a good deal, and am thinking of reselling it in favor of the Espelir system. However, I am not entirely sure, and would like the opinions of those who have owned a couple Apexi systems and can attest to the system's durability or lack thereof. Thanks in adavance for the help guys!

-Andrew

Edit: I will be posting pictures of the system as soon as possible so you guys can better diagnose the condition...

gr8popp · Dec 16, 2005

The Apexi N1 is a good exhaust. I sold my Dunk for the N1 and never had rust on either. The Dunk had about 10k and the N1 7K when I sold the car. If the rust is just beginning stages I would lightly sand it and spray rustolium on it.

At least you didn't spend $600.00 on it, then have it rust

eclipse_20g · Dec 16, 2005

If you can get some pictures up so we can better see the severity of the rust, it will help greatly in determining what should be done.

Zmann42087 · Dec 16, 2005

Here are some pics of the exhaust. As you can see, the rust runs in a line along the pipes (along the seam/welds?). Again, any help would be appreciated...

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

hereitcomes · Dec 16, 2005

Its aluminized piping. Its going to oxidize from the elements IE: rain, snow, and salt. the welds are a different type of metal thats why they are attracting rust faster. SS pipes do not rust because of "stainless" material.

RamenPride · Dec 16, 2005

$300 shipped for an N1 is a good deal. if you're that worried about rust, sell it and buy stainless steel or just sand the rust off and spray it with barbeque grill paint.

CanadianTSi · Dec 16, 2005

My aluminum RNR Downpipe Rusted to all hell after 1 candian winter...

I scraped it all off with a wire brush and painted it with some high temp paint, it's holding up pretty well.

speedy13 · Dec 16, 2005

ramen and canadian have the right idea.It's gonna rust no matter what brand if it's not SS.just brush off the rust and treat it.no biggie.

Xtraction · Dec 16, 2005

My advice...sell it and buy HKS! :thumb:

Zmann42087 · Dec 16, 2005

speedy13 said:
ramen and canadian have the right idea.It's gonna rust no matter what brand if it's not SS.just brush off the rust and treat it.no biggie.

Alright. I think I'll give it a try. As far as treating the pipes goes, any suggestions on what to use? So far I've heard "grill paint" and "high temp" paint... Those sound good, but are there any others? What do you guys recommend?

RamenPride said:
just sand the rust off and spray it with barbeque grill paint.

Any personal experience using barbeque grill paint? Did it work well for you?

92awddsm · Dec 16, 2005

Its just surface rust where the pipe was seam welded. No biggie and pretty much normal. Clean and recoat with a high temp paint.

RamenPride · Dec 16, 2005

Zmann42087 said:
Alright. I think I'll give it a try. As far as treating the pipes goes, any suggestions on what to use? So far I've heard "grill paint" and "high temp" paint... Those sound good, but are there any others? What do you guys recommend?

Any personal experience using barbeque grill paint? Did it work well for you?

barbeque grill paint is basically just a high temperature paint. I've used silver and black Rustoleum High Heat with pretty good results.

Zmann42087 · Dec 16, 2005

Ok... So tomorrow I'll be sanding down the pipes and coating it with some rust/corrosion protectant, and we'll see how it comes out. Thanks for all the help guys... Greatly appreciated! :thumb:

No_Skillz · Dec 16, 2005

Before you just sand it down and paint it over, you can try some rust converter. The stuff is sold at Pepboys, and you simply wipe it on the rust and let it dry. It turns the rust into a hard black surface, which then you can paint pretty easily. Another good thing about it is, for as long as I've used it, it stops future rust almost completely as long as you cover it completely and put on a good coat.

DGajre777 · Feb 12, 2006

This is a old thread, but I painted my new N1 cat back exhaust with black Rustoleum High temp paint (got it from Walmart). It was stinky for about 100 miles and now the smell is gone. Hopefully it'll hold up and not rust. I have it 2 coats on the entire exhaust, including the adapter. The paint states that it is good up to 1200 deg F. I'm not sure if I can use it to paint the N1 downpipe though. Anyone have an EGT in the downpipe and know how hot it gets?

EDIT: Never mind, I found it. 1600 deg F in the exhaust manifold and 1250 deg F in the downpipe on a properly tuned car.

The Central Hub for DSM Community and Information

Bought Apexi N1 USED, and starting to rust... Questions...

Zmann42087

gr8popp

eclipse_20g

Zmann42087

hereitcomes

RamenPride

CanadianTSi

speedy13

Xtraction

Zmann42087

92awddsm

RamenPride

Zmann42087

No_Skillz

DGajre777

Similar threads

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds