I won a NHRA drawing for free ceramic coating last season. All I had to pay was shipping each way (which you have to pay normally, anyway). I hadn't heard of the outfit before, Swain Tech Coatings, but checking around, apparently they have a decent reputation.

I already had the headers for the LS1/T56 car coated by Jet Hot, but not the LS1/4L60E car, so I decided to use the certificate on them. I couldn't get to the job of getting the headers out until mid-March, and it took 5 days to get to them. They said 2-week turn-around when I talked to them on the phone back in December, when I talked to them after they received them, it was up to 3 weeks. Three weeks later, they said they were running a little behind, but should get them out by the end of the week. Turned into the next week, same story when I called them again, but at least they were in work by then, and they did ship by the end of that week. They arrived late last week (while I was out of town, of course).

Got them installed yesterday, got the car running today. The coating is thicker than I thought it would be - they had to mask off the collector (slip-fit), flange, and O2 bung threads. Only coated on the outside, but since they're made out of stainless, figured the heat being held in the tube walls wouldn't wouldn't cause strength issues (Jet Hot coated inside & out - Swain says nobody can really do that...). The coating seems pretty tough - I installed the passenger side first, tightened down the flange bolts, then realized I couldn't get the O2 sensor to screw in; so I pulled it back out again. I'm afraid the reinstall wasn't as clean as the original try, but no dings or flaking of the coating, even under the flange bolt heads.

Some pics:

Unpackaged:




Closeup of the tubes:




Installed, driver side (sure look different than Jet Hot):




Passenger side (I already grunged them up ):




I took it for a 7-mile drive tonight. The heat coming off them was greatly reduced. Not sure if it will translate to any differences at the track, but at least the O2 sensors should stay heated up.

 

I'm definitely not a fan of that Milk Of Magnesia color, but if they function well I guess that's what matters!

 

I've heard some really good things about SwainTech stuff. Looks good.

 

x2

I had mine coated in black when I put the new motor in. Made a big difference at feet! LOL

 

When I first opened the box and saw a little bit of one tube, I thought they had wrapped them in styrofoam tape!

I'm a function over form guy, so the look doesn't bother me too much.

 

I'm just curious as to how much it was to have jet coat your headers

 

That was in '08, I believe. Around $300.

 

Thank you, I appreciate it.

 

I paid $235 from Jethot last year with shipping when they were having a sale.

 

is that inside too? they look great. I'm about to order a set of stainless works for my LT1. they offer coating but it's $450, and they're sent somewhere else to have it done. I'm not sure where to.

 

Inside too.