Moonshine

Is it really worth it to get ceramic coated headers?

millfire517

I am interested in this as well.

spivey3

I've always understood that it was a purely cosmetic thing. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

cliffyk

If it is a real ceramic coating like Jet-Hot then absolutely, if it's just spray-on equivalent of the rattle-can "ceramic" paint then don't pay a whole lot extra. Don't be embarrassed to ask the vendor what sort of ceramic coating they use--get the brand name if your can.

The best with regard to underhood temps would be Jet-Hot coated stainless steel, as stainless has much lower thermal conductivity than mild steel (4 to 5 times less), and the coating would be "icing on the cake"...

Moonshine

If its simply for under hood temps, wouldn't some heat wrap do the trick?

kugzgt

no matter what, your motor is going to get hot. no matter what you do. this is why they're liquid cooled not air cooled. it stays at a regulated temp. the only thing you'll gain is a lighter wallet.

Moonshine

What about longevity of the manifold?

I'm just gonna buy some stainless bbk's and wrap em. Call it a day.

kast1376

header wraps have a reputation (unearned or not) of holding in moisture. I do know a buddy of mine in high school (15 years ago) had issues with this and some premature rust, but we lived in an area that got a decent amount of rain, and the lower parts of the headers were constantly wet. That is my only real experience with the stuff. I personally am not a big fan of the way it looks, but that doesn't mean squat

cliffyk

OK an a race car, horrible on a DD. They get wet and trap all sorts of crap, and sometimes insulate so well that mild steel headers burn though:

I ruined an OBX header (which was actually a very nice mild steel coated header) with heat wrap on my Miata--well not exactly ruined a a very capable local shop was able to repair the burned through section, It took about 8 months before it burned through (while I was 120 miles from home of course).

repaired OBX header:


It wasn't a total loss though as it provided an excuse the get a Jackson Racing stainless/ceramic coated unit.

Jackson Racing header:



Sometimes I really miss being able to pull the supercharger and header in 45 minutes, and have the tranny out in another 30...

Moonshine

Ahh...that makes perfect sense. I'm mainly worried about rust on the manifold.