Just because I'm confused now on what to buy, I'd figure I'd just come out and ask it here...I want to put headers on my Camaro. It's an 88, 305 TBI, auto. I've heard a few types to buy - from stainless steel to ceramic coated. If I were to buy ceramic coated headers - are those stainless headers with the ceramic coating or are they some other type of metal with ceramic coating???? Do I have to buy stainless headers and then have them ceramic coated?? Can someone give me the 'low-down' on headers??? (BTW, these headers will be used with a Flowmaster Muffler - if that makes any difference.)

 

You can buy headers made out of stainless steel or some other metal(???). Stainless steel headers will not rust.

Ceramic coating is not required but serves a few purposes:

Protects the metal from rust
Helps channel heat away from the engine
Looks very nice when done right.

Some places will sell and coat the headers, but in most cases you buy them at one place and go somewhere else for coating. You can even coat them yourself.

Look through the archives on the different header makes and installation.

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92 Camaro RS, LO3, 5-spd, T-tops

Performance:
K&N Open Air Filter, Edelbrock performer TBI intake, Fastchip Prom, Timing +4 degrees, Centerforce clutch, Xact 8mm wires, SLP 1 3/4" Headers (coated), Flowmaster Catback Exhaust, Richmond 3:42 gears, Torsen HD Posi
Sights & Sounds:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-846 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs, 2 Pioneer 6x9 and 2 MTX 4x6 speakers. Z28 grille w/aftermarket lights, MacEwen whiteface gauges
NEXT UP: TBI & Suspension mods

 

Living in CT. Make sure you get them coated or stainless steel. They will rust real fast.

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"Rice burners are like tampons...Every pu$$y has to have one"
'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat, just switched to 180* b/c of winter coming and going to college in the mts.
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite

 

Go with what is more expencive, then you know its a good deal... well thats not always a good saying but maybe in this case.

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89 Formula Firebird
Red with T-tops
5.0 305 FI
Soon to be a 400sb.

 

My Edelbrock TES headers are almost 2 years old and are un-coated, and are only rusting (very minimally I might add) on one small part of the header. It is costly to have them coated, and it is worth the money if you have it, but its not necessary.

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1987 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z
L98 TPI 350 (5.7L)
TH 700R-4 Transmission
Borg Warner 7.75" 9 Bolt Rear End with 2.77:1 Gears.

Current Mods: LT4 HOT Cam, Comp Cams 1.52:1 Roller Rocker Arms, Accel High Flow TPI Baseplate, Edelbrock TES 1 5/8" Headers, Catco 3" High-Flow Catalytic Converter, Hooker 3" Aerochamber Cat-Back System, Transgo Shift Kit, Performance Resource Chip, Accel Ignition, K&N Filters, Jet TPI Air Foil, All Free Mods, Falken ZIEX Z-Rated Tires.

Best ET: 14.32 @ 97.7mph
(corrected for elevation)