stingraymax

Hi,

I currently have hooker super competition sidemount headers on my corvette, but am planning on putting in a ZZ4 engine while I do the frame off restoration.
Now I read on the hooker site that is not such a good idea

"Breaking in an engine with ceramic coated headers WILL result in damage to the coating and will void all warranties. Ceramic coated headers require several heat cycles to fully cure before they will withstand extreme heat. Hooker recommends using cast iron exhaust manifolds or old headers to break in new engines to avoid coating damage."

So what do they mean with this ? Will it result on damage to the headers or to the engine, and does this still count for me because the hooker headers have been on my car for about 5 years now ?

Please is there somebody out here that can help me on this, because they are taking a long time to respond to my question at hookers.

:banghead:

79VetteMike

I've seen engines almost glow red on initial start up and break in. Not saying that is normal, however; there is alot of heat generated from a brand new engine and I agree with not using the ceramic coated headers on a brand new engine.

Fevre

Breaking in the cam is the hardest part since you need to run it at 2000+ rpm's from 20 to 30 min and you are not supposed to shut it down during this period so if you are running lean your headers will heat up. I was breaking in a cam once with the rams horn manifolds and after about 5 minutes they started glowing red. :eek: I did shut it down and jet my carb up and did not seem to have any problems doing that, ran the eng for about 5 months before switching to a roller cam. If you go with a roller cam you do not have to do the high rpm break in period.

stingraymax

Thanks for the input.

I am planning on getting the engine from Salle, they offer as an option Dyno testing, break in calibration.

(Your engine will be completely tested and broke in (ready to run). Carb jetting distributor calibration set to a premium performance level. Includes a video of your engine on the dyno, with one test run. You will also receive dyno sheets showing power and torque output.)

So if I get this done from Sallee I can go ahead and install the hooker headers and consider the engine broken in or am I wrong ??

79VetteMike

Call Sallee and ask them.

gerry72

You won't have a problem with glowing exhaust manifolds on break-in as long as your fuel and ignition are right. As far as the "dyno break-in," that takes care of the issue entirely.

stingraymax

So just get the dyno break in and I should be ready to rock without being worried of hurting the engine