Can anyone tell me the "lifespan" of headers without having them coated? I know everyone that doesn't coat says they wished they did, and that most say that they will have them coated (or buy them already coated), and I understand the reasoning - to reduce under-hood temps and prevent rusting.

BUT - it also seems that the coating ends up costing almost as much as the headers themselves (Hooker 2055's $349 + Jet Coat $290).

Also, how much success (lifesapn) is there with removing factory paint and either:

a) repainting with hi-temp paint
b) coating with this Cermakrome stuff

I mean, if I do nothing, and they last 4 years, I'll save the $$ now. Or, if I can spend an extra $50 or less on hi-temp paint, or this Cermakrome and be relatively assured of 4 yr. lifespan, maybe I'll try that.

Please give a budget-minded newbie the scoop.

 

Life span of regular steel headers is Short. Either get them coated or buy Stainless Steel.

 

If you don't have to drive in snow, which means salt on the road, I wouldn't sweat it.

The headers on my IROC were bead blasted and I sprayed 'em with VHT and they are still fine after several months of DAILY driving.

I had uncoated headers on my 67 Chevelle for 5 years and NEVER had a problem.

I've had at least 10 vehicles with headers, and all but one or two were uncoated. I've NEVER had a header need to be replaced because of rust.

What do you think people did of all those years BEFORE coating became available??


HTH

 

The wisher's complaint isnt really rust its the fact the cheap paint peels off and scratches easy. The coating just makes it look better longer. Theres people with 60's cars that still have the same headders on there since they put them on 30+ years ago and they havent rusted off yet.

 

i agree

 

Don't paint them white.

 

I have about 2 1/2 yrs ~30-40K miles and some driving in the snow(a few times only) on my high temp painted edelbrocks, sure the paint has come off on the bottom side of the y-pipe and is peeling/chipping off everywhere else, but I doubt they are more than 5% worn due to rust. They do see salt living 5 miles from the beach and I just switched them from one car to another so I saw them up close. The next headers I get will probably be coated though, b/c painted = ugly; also I've burned more than enough wires(could probably be avoided with better routing) and the cost of coated headers vs. the supercharger make the $300 not a big deal.

 

Like he said...My dad has headers on his 69 Z that he got around 70 or so and the headers are still fine even though the car sat outside for the past 30 years. They were a little rustly but still work fine.

David