T-304 or T-321 Stainless Steel, whats better
12-13-2004, 10:25 AM
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Re: T-304 or T-321 Stainless Steel, whats better (gtowni3)
i can tell you from experence, if you get 321 make sure the manifold has a warrenty agenst cracks, because when my friend's 321 manifold cracked no one in town (even your welding class) could weld it becasue no one (around here at least) stocked or had the right filler rod
12-14-2004, 09:58 AM
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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gtowni3 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so 321 isnt good?</TD></TR></TABLE>
321 is excellent. It retains more strength at higher temperatures, even more than regular 304 or 316; it is, however, a little more exotic than it's more common stainless brethren.
321 is excellent. It retains more strength at higher temperatures, even more than regular 304 or 316; it is, however, a little more exotic than it's more common stainless brethren.
12-14-2004, 10:14 AM
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If it is going on a drag car that won't see a ton of heat cycles, I kind of doubt it would make much difference. The 321 is more resistant to inter granular corrosion from heat. But if you aren't heat cycling it often, I don't think this would be a major problem?
The only experience I have had with 321 SS manifolds has been nothing but bad. LOTS of cracking problems. The cracks would start at the edge of the weld and then crack across the tube in a spider web like fashion. It could have been the welding process, the manifold design, the material, or a combination of all the above causing the problems. The manifold cracked three separate times in a matter of 2000 miles.
The only experience I have had with 321 SS manifolds has been nothing but bad. LOTS of cracking problems. The cracks would start at the edge of the weld and then crack across the tube in a spider web like fashion. It could have been the welding process, the manifold design, the material, or a combination of all the above causing the problems. The manifold cracked three separate times in a matter of 2000 miles.
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12-15-2004, 04:37 AM
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Re: T-304 or T-321 Stainless Steel, whats better (gtowni3)
just an observation but if so many problems with the 321 why not just opt for the less complained about, and more widly available 304? simple questions with simple answers
12-15-2004, 07:38 AM
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Re: T-304 or T-321 Stainless Steel, whats better (Greg-s)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Greg-s »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">just an observation but if so many problems with the 321 why not just opt for the less complained about, and more widly available 304? simple questions with simple answers</TD></TR></TABLE>
Because the 304 is much, much more prone to cracking compared to the 321. 321 will crack if it's built and welded wrong. 304 will eventually crack on a street car that sees heat cycling, even if it is welded perfectly. My Dad had a mustang with a 321SS turbo kit on it that he daily drove from 92-2001. Not a single crack. A friend of ours bought a 304SS kit 2 years ago, and has had it off the car to fix cracks several times already.
Because the 304 is much, much more prone to cracking compared to the 321. 321 will crack if it's built and welded wrong. 304 will eventually crack on a street car that sees heat cycling, even if it is welded perfectly. My Dad had a mustang with a 321SS turbo kit on it that he daily drove from 92-2001. Not a single crack. A friend of ours bought a 304SS kit 2 years ago, and has had it off the car to fix cracks several times already.
12-15-2004, 08:37 AM
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Re: T-304 or T-321 Stainless Steel, whats better (gtowni3)
321 is more resistant to corrosion than 304
321 is better at elevated temperatures. (800-1600F)
use 321 for an exhaust manifold.
use 304 or 304L for exhaust system.
Jeffrey Atwood
321 is better at elevated temperatures. (800-1600F)
use 321 for an exhaust manifold.
use 304 or 304L for exhaust system.
Jeffrey Atwood
12-15-2004, 09:54 AM
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Re: T-304 or T-321 Stainless Steel, whats better (Jefnes)
304 contains 4% carbon - less prone to cracking, lower hardness
321 contains 21 % carbon - very prone to cracking, high hardness
321 contains 21 % carbon - very prone to cracking, high hardness
12-15-2004, 03:19 PM
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308 Forged, I believe.
If I remember right, the 321 has lower tensile strength then 304L at high temperatures. I believe the only real advantage to the 321 is the corrosion resistance at high temperatures.
If it's incredibly difficult to get 321 to weld correctly, then wouldn't it be better for 99% of use out there building our own stuff to use a more forgiving material? Honestly, out of the manifolds using thinner material that I have seen, the ones that hold up the best have been MIG welded Mild Steel that has been ceramic coated for corrosion resistance.
If I remember right, the 321 has lower tensile strength then 304L at high temperatures. I believe the only real advantage to the 321 is the corrosion resistance at high temperatures.
If it's incredibly difficult to get 321 to weld correctly, then wouldn't it be better for 99% of use out there building our own stuff to use a more forgiving material? Honestly, out of the manifolds using thinner material that I have seen, the ones that hold up the best have been MIG welded Mild Steel that has been ceramic coated for corrosion resistance.
12-15-2004, 03:58 PM
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Re: T-304 or T-321 Stainless Steel, whats better (DRAGLS)
good or bad....... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT
12-15-2004, 04:34 PM
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Re: T-304 or T-321 Stainless Steel, whats better (gtowni3)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gtowni3 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">good or bad....... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT</TD></TR></TABLE>
Heheheh go ahead and do a search....its just about as good as SSAUTO
I had a OBX mani at one time (didnt buy it got it for free) lasted about 2 weeks
Heheheh go ahead and do a search....its just about as good as SSAUTO
I had a OBX mani at one time (didnt buy it got it for free) lasted about 2 weeks
12-15-2004, 06:06 PM
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Re: T-304 or T-321 Stainless Steel, whats better (DRAGLS)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DRAGLS »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What does full race use for there manifolds?</TD></TR></TABLE>
304L I thought
304L I thought
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