Hey guys, I need some header advice. Is it worth a paying the extra$$ to have your headers coated? Is the coating mainly for heat or flow, or both? I've read tons of stuff about headers in here, but the guy I buy my parts from said his Camaro (with a 400+hp 406 in it) ran just fine with no heat issues on uncoated headers.

 

When I finally decide to get headers I'm getting them coated. To me the lower underhood temps, longer resistance to elements, better looks, slight increase in flow, etc. are well worth the extra cost.

 

Seriously! When I go to replace my headers next time, I will deffinately have them coated. I'm all about looks under the hood but at least this mod has internal benifits.

 

Plenty of info on the board about this:-

Some threads that may help include:-

Is Ceramic Coating Necessary?
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=181032

To all of those who were wondering about ceramic coating
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hlight=coating

Jet Coating
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hlight=coating

Hope that helps!

 

Thanks for the help guys. Dr. G I can't get any of those links to work. I've done tons of reading about headers on the site, but even after a few hours of reading it's still sometimes tough to get an answer unless you ask a direct specific question. I know coated headers are obviously better looking, but are the heat reduction capabilities worth double the investment. I suspect they are, but having never owned headers in the past, I'm not sure how much extra heat to expect using an uncoated pair.

 

Go to this thread:-
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hlight=ceramic
Scroll down to my reply - the third one - and click the links. They work from there.

Edit:- Or just click on them again as I've now sorted all the links out for you!

 

I'm replacing my headers with ceramic coated ones soon and am considered taking some IR pyrometer readings before and after of various things. If I do then I'll post up the results.

 

I've heard so many storys about headers rusting out on people. That was the main reason i got mine coated.

-chuck

 

Thanks Dr G, those links were the info I was looking for. I'll be getting coated ones!!

Dave.

 

Coating is well worth the $$$. Id watch out for JET HOT. its a 50/50 shot with it lasting. Ive had people send me headers to redo that Were jet hot coated.

Ive personally had a set go bad. So i started dong my own coatings. ceramic, powder and Thermal coatings. Now I own my own business doing it.

make sure whoever you have do em does the Inside and used a vibratory polisher. Ive seen a Co. in NY charge like 250 for shorties and polsh em by hand. a major NONO..

 

I had ACS (one of our sponsors) do mine on my 383 swap, and am real glad I did. I definitely recommend them. I rusted out a set of hookers on my old Suburban 454 setup, and replaced them with coated ones. My ACS coated headers still get hot, but not as hot as w/o coatings, plus they seem to cool down really quickly - a lot quicker than the block does.

Just my two cents, but I did it!


- Vern

 

My uncoated headers took about 6 months to get the rust and nasty look.

If you have an open air cleaner you don't want uncoated headers do to all the heat your going to be taking in(pinging).

I wish I would have paid the extra money to get them coated but maybe next time.

 

I had ACS do my hedmans.

1) They still get as hot as before.
2) The *DO* cool down very very fast. After 10 minutes I can crab the primary pipe, but if I go near the head its 3rd degree burn.
3) Mine are starting to show little rust spots after only like 4 months, *BUT* my car is supercharged and my exhaust temps are prolly higher than ACS anticipated, so I'm not upset in the least.

-- Joe

 

SCed shouldnt matter. ACS uses the same stuff I do. TechLine
If your headers are getting hot enough to go over the Temps recomended Id guess your tune is off.

I do turboheaders and they Deff get Hotter then any SC header should.

 

Depends on the head type, and amount of power the vehicle is making.


-- Joe