I will be installing headers this winter. What are the advantages vs. disadvantages between the two. What I'm looking for is, "the better header".

 

Coated headers look better and provide more benefit in the form of cooler temps than stainless steel.

 

they look better for a few years.......eventually even the best coating breaks down.....especially after being scratched a few times....which is inevitable with working on the car around the headers and what not.

I've had coated hooker super comps for about 5 years now.....if i had it to do over again, I'd get the stainless headers.....and when i replace these it'll be with stainless

 

i liked my jet hot coating... few years on them and they still look pretty good. definately helps keep heat inside the exhaust, and reduces underhood temps. they dont radiate the heat as much. they cool faster too.

 

I have the jet hot coated headers on my 81 Z-28 and my 89 GTA.
The 81 long tube dynomax headers have been on the car for almost 8 years,and have no complaints.
The hooker 2460's with y-pipe that I purchased have only been on the car for a few months and are holding up very well.
So I think the coated headers are just fine.
The ss might last longer,but they have a big price tag difference to go along with them.
My jethot coated hooker 2460's are holding up just fine.

 

it has alot to do with how much work you do on the car......i've had the engine out of the car at least 7 times since i got them.......thats alot of accidental bumping and scraping........you could always buy SS headers and have them jet hot coated i suppose

 

or you could just figure out what you want to do before you buy your headers, and break the engine in with some similar junk headers.

 

its got nothing to do with breaking the engine in, its about blowing up parts drag racing......changing combinations etc......didnt really have alot of choice as to how many times i took it apart

 

I would say coated because it helps retain the heat in the header and aswe all know heat is an energy and when you keep the heat moving through the header and not trying to get out ot the header you increase your velocity and remove the exhaust gas faster

 

I had the SLP stainless steel headers on my car for about 13 years. Then during an upgrade of the motor I had them ceramic coated. Best of both worlds.

 

All the information is here. For durability, Stainless, for thermal efficiency, coated, but the coating will eventually break down, especially inside the tubes.

Best of both worlds, Coated Stainless.

TA