i've allways found mind steel exhaust to be better than stainless, yes they can and do rust but not as fast as you'd think but they much more resistant to cracking
exhaust wrap is pritty much allt he same stuff, stainless steel tie wraps are good for secureing it did secure some with mig wire but thatt falls off pritty quick.
as for throwing rods and catching fire, golfs like doing that basicly as the exhaust is still ultra hot ( glowing bright red style ) where it runs down and that area also happens to be a perfect flame nest. the grasstrack car is the same allways catches fire when the engine blows. but that poor red top is allways under more boost than you can wave a boost gadge at
