Hg

I'm looking for opinions on coated vs. uncoated headers. I'd like it if someone has owned both and can give me the pro's and con's. I'm a poor teenager and I'm looking to cut corners wherever I can without going with cheapy/crappy parts. How long do headers last without a coating? Do they really rust through easily or what? Is it worth springing for the coating? Does the coating really lower engine bay temps that much? It's like another 100$ or so. Also, does this sound like a good start to increase performance of my F-body? This is all going on an '87 Z28 LB9(305 TPI) w/700R4:

SLP Single Inlet Cold Air Induction(stupid MAF keeping me from Dual)
Hooker headers 2055(possibly JET-HOT coated)
Mark's Hooker Catback
AFPR(can anyone recomend a good one?) and fuel pressure gauge


With any luck I can get the $ for this over the summer...

Markolc

The coating seriously lowers engine bay temps. No doubt about that. With coating you engine bay temps will be close to stock, maybe slightly cooler. When uncoated, be prepared to have stuff burned that sits really close to the headers. Ex. Spark plug wires, boots, and types of loom or wiring (that are really close, like quarter of an inch). Even though you can move stuff outta the way pretty well, while driving, things can sometimes get jarred a little loose or slide, so stuff can burn. Also there's a sllight HP advantage to coated headers (~1HP) because the heat INSIDE the header is so hot, it draws the gasses out quicker. Also looks are pretty important in my book. Coated headers stay shiny LONG! All you gotta do a couple of months is take a rag to 'em. Uncoated (even when painted) will start to get rusty and eat through the paint in a couple of months (especially if this car is your daily driver and sees stuff like rain, mud, and occaisional salt). The life expectancy is basically how long you take care of 'em. If you like your headers uncoated, just keep at 'em with cleaner and a rag every two weeks, with the occaisional hi-temp repaint and you'll be fine for years! If you're more lazy like I am, just save a couple of more weeks and get the coated.

BTW, even stainless steel headers start to look rusty looking after a while (although not rusty). The temps start to turn the steel colors, and brown happens to be the favorite one. So coating will help there too.

ALWAYS CERAMIC COATING!!!

Hg

Thanks Markolc. I knew about the SS ones changing colors also, but the only SS headers I know of are SLP and that's just *WAY* too much $ for my taste. I can order the 2055 hookers direct from JET-HOT for something like 480$, that's shipping and all. If the coating makes that huge of a difference in temps I may spring for it then... thanks.

Markolc

The Hooker 2055's? Are they the full length headers? I'm running the Hooker super Comp full length headers, also coated, and I LOVE them! My exhaust sounds awesome with these on. I have my entire catback custom made, but it's a 3" system which feeds into two C4 Brola mufflers. VERY quiet at idle, till you put your foot into it . Also the coating on the headers is looking tip top, even after a long extensive break in for my motor, a lot of test and tuning (running rich and lean), and even after them glowing cherry red once. You might be able to catch a glimpse of the headers somewhere on my webpage.

Hg

I'm pretty sure the 2055's are the super comp shorties. Nice Z, does that color happen to be called "victory red"???

Markolc

It's actually called Dark Metallic Red. A factory name for the paint.

Hg

Dang it.... the paint on my '87 Z is called victory red and i think looks almost exactly the same as your IROC. Can't be positive though, mine is 16 years old with little care at all. Oxidizing and fading clearcoat... it's getting painted some time late this year hopefully.

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

Definetly get them coated before installing.

Synapsis

Hg, got a pic of your Z? My car is bright red from the factory and I was wondering what the factory color name was.

I researched the coated header thing too over the past few weeks. I opted to get mine Jet-Hot coated ($190 for a set of shorties) to keep from melting all the wires and such that are near the headers. Except I went all out for the SLP 1-3/4" headers. When my spare block turns into a 383, the headers need to be good for it too.

Hg

Let's see if it attaches it... mine isn't a bright red, it's more of a dark red/maroon metallic.

BahamutRS

Not to mention, getting your headers coated will make them look a lot nicer too. I had Hedman headers on my RS and they were uncoated; even with super high-temp paint it peeled and cracked, and they were ugly.

Now, FLP long-tube ceramic coated headers...they look so...glorious....