As many of you also have experienced, the bolts that mount the silver or chromed exhaust heat shield/cover (and mount the small EGR manifold) rust over time and look rough.

So, would there be any issue replacing these mounting bolts with stainless steel to dress up the area?

These are not load bearing or stressed bolts, so the only issue in my mind would be the potential for galling/seizing?

Any reason not to use stainless?

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I've had stainless bolts in there for the last 3 years. As it happens, I had to remove the cover this weekend. Bolts came out easily (I had used Copper grease also).

M8 x 12mm is a good size to use.