I am planning to purchase a set of shorty headers, probably Hooker 2460's. I am wondering if ceramic or Jet Hot Sterling coatings help keep the engine bay cooler and help protect the plug wires from melting? Or do they just look better and help the header last longer? Also, is it necessary to get the y-pipe coated as well? These 3rd Gens have a very hot engine bay already, I don't want to add to the problem.

 

Ceramic coating does improve heat retension somewhat.

 

what about the exhaust wrap?

 

All that exhaust wrap is good for is rusting your headers and starting fires.

 

So coated headers are the way to go then.
Which is better, ceramic or Jet Hot Sterling?
Is it necessasy to also get a coated y-pipe?

 

I don't know what Jet Hot's Sterling coating is, but I'd imagine it's just some sort of ceramic coating itself. You could coat the entire exhaust system if you wanted to pay for it.