It looks like I will be buying headers to go on my crate engine. Is the ceramic coating for + $150 worth the cost or is there a cheaper alternative. Thanks.

Roy

 

IMO ceramic coatings are a must and the only way to go. $150.00 is about the right price but you may want to have a good local shop do them for you as you can pick from numerous colors and finishes from matte to high gloss.

 

I bought the ceramic paint ,high temp from Adavnce Auto.Its says to let idle for 10 minutes then shut off for 10 minutes.Let idle for another 20 minutes.Then let cool for 20 minutes.Then go drive at normal driving for 30 minutes let cool for 30 minutes.

it looks great.it has been about two weeks now.When I drove for 30 minutes.It did smell a little strong.Do not be alarmed.

What type of headers are you thinking of ? You might have someone to trade 2 1/2" for 2" manifolds.

Mark

 

Someone on the forum recommended sanderson. They are shorties so I am not sure if there will be any power difference from the manifolds but my crate engine has fastburn heads and the ports don't line up. I have a set of 2" manifolds and I thought that by the time I bought the correct manifolds and had to grind them I may be better off with headers.

Roy

 

I've done it both ways, high temp paint and ceramic coating and I would never paint again. Go with the coated headers, mine were done by Jet Hot 7 years ago and still look good today.
Good luck
Russ

 

I went to there website.

Wow looks like they will bolt right up.

Less expensive too

 

The best of headers have some downsides to them but a good ceramic coating is a major improvement to them. HP per dollar spent there is more gain for the buck to be had in your exhaust system than anywhere else. However without the true headers needed to achieve that gain you might as well just go for saving money and ease of installation.

Doug

 

Forget paints and the Auotzone knock off.

Go to JetHot and have them do it or check with the header manufacture as they might also offer a set.

The reason is the JetHot will do both the inside and outside thus knocking out most of the heat and insuring as much of the hot exhaust is moved from under the hood!

I am running a set on a Ford Stroker and the difference is HUGE! The pipes went from smoking hot RED to cool to touch in in ~3-5 minutes with JetHot coating! Difference under the hood most noticeable ~ 20-40 degrees or more

 

If I am reading between the lines correctly you are saying that shorties may be wasted money. I also have both sidepipes and 2-1/2" aluminized undercar exhaust. So for the full potential of my 385 hp crate engine I would need long tubes and the undercar exhaust. I have a few other issues though. I have read that longtubes interfere with the Jeep PS conversion that I did and if I go with manifolds there will be substantial grinding if I can even get them to seal. I know...a question on ceramic coating ballooned into a complete system but I have been on the fence for a while. That's why I have both systems.

Roy

 

I bought from this manufacturer for my 32 with the 327. I was looking for a full length units. I previously had Sandersons on my 32 and did not like them. They are to thin in the diamond area where the tubes come down to the collector. If you run the car a little lean it will burn that area out and the tubes are no good. Ask me how I know this!!!!

http://www.ssheaders.com/

 

Re-wording my opinion on exhaust I am simply stating that if 75% of your exhaust system is created in the interest of higher performance the 25% that is not is going to have a negative effect on the 75% that is.

Then there is the issues of taste and practicality.

I happen to like sidepipes but with two extra 90 degree bends in my system over an under car system's bends there is no way that my attempt at "best as can be header with sidepipes" will ever produce the power of an all out under car system exiting out in front of the rear tire that has two less major bends in the system...... period.

With side-pipes lots of guys tie them into stock type chambers that even with larger openings will literally choke the motor out of a VERY significant amount of the gains made by the headers. When I was talking with Jerry Stahl about my original plans that included "no mercy" chambers with his headers on my motor he informed me that those chambers would cost me a minimium of 50 hp

Before I ruled out any long tube system just because of any one other mod that I plan I would look at different long tube designs. Also just because a particular system is "long tube" does not mean "well tuned". For myself if I was just making a nice good performing car without any plans to be faster than the next guy I would choose simplicity over making every bit of power possible.

Doug

 

why not fab your own set?

http://www.carcraft.com/howto/0304_head/index.html

http://www.stahlheaders.com/Headers_&_kits.htm

I also heard of a kit made of plastic that you literally glue in place of what you want, send the set to a fab shop and they make and coat....

I'll see if I can find the link...

The only downfall $$$ ~ $2-3k a set I heard

 

I think Jet hot is the way to go. I had some hooker supercomps on a 66 mustang years ago. They offered a ceramic coating that did no hold up well. The coating blistered then pealed off. Jet hot is forever

 

Regarding companies that do coating I have heard mixed reviews on all but one. That one being Airborne Coatings that has one location near Charlotte NC and another out west...... maybe in Oklahoma.

I have worked with the one close to me on several occasions and have found them to be very good people to do business with.

Doug

PS. I took a quick look and noticed that they have both moved and consolidated. Same name so I am trusting it is the same folks.

http://www.airborncoatings.com/homepage.html

 

Taking off my long tube headers and my undercar exhuast.I can tell by the seat of the pants that going with 2 1/2'' Rams horn and putting on side pipes I did lose HP.

I can't tell where but I can say I did.Am I going to race every kid or Porshe.

The big question is "Why"

The Mid Year will always be what it is.

I always had people say look but now with sidepipes I get Wow look at that Vette.

Pure American Horse Power no matter how you look at it.

It all depends on what do you want and how are you going to drive it.

Mark