Bought a new set of Headman "Direct Fit" Headers this past week. I didn't get them w/ a coating, as it was quite abit extra money and I wanted to install the header insulation wrap on them. In the not so distant future I plan on building a 383 f/ my 'Vette, so I didn't want to spend alot on these headers, as I'll need bigger tubes f/ a 383 and I figured I'd spend the big money on the performance engine that I'll keep in the car f/ awhile. After reading the paperwork that accompanied the headers, I realized that I'll need to remove the existing paint on the headers, as the paperwork states that this paint is only to protect the bare metal during shipping and while in stock inventory. The paint wouldn't come off just using paint thinner, it takes more than that. I then thought that even sanding them would leave the paint in hard-to-get to places between the tubes, etc.. The best way to remove the paint IMO is "blasting" them. So I have to get them "blasted," then paint them w/ some good high heat paint, about eight bucks a can (x2), prior to installing them. Had I realized that these headers came w/ this terrible/useless paint on them, I'd have spent the extra money f/ the coating. It has turned into a pain in the ***. Just posting this so someone else doesn't make the same mistake that I made.

 

Paint remover??? It'll take it all off, even in hard to reach places. Wash them good and use high heat manifold paint?

Thats what I'd consider...

 

I'm not sure how the manufacturers do it, but when you send it out to Jet Hot or others, they can coat the inside as well. IMO this is even more important than the outside coating. Consider the condensation that remains/builds up in the header when it is off. If you have a ceramic/ceramic-metallic coating it is less likely to rust from the inside out.

 

Good infor, Jim .... Thank you

 

Bill Hirsch has great header paint that is just as good as any expensive coating finish. Get 1-2 cans of his high temp spray paint (I can do both headers with one can) and you should be good to go for a decade or longer. I am at 5 years on my headers and they are still looking great. I have seen coated headers rust and pit just like any other finish.

 

The ceramic coating is definitely worth the money. As njfl mentions, the coating is inside as well as outside. Jet Hot treated me fairly weel.

 

Good point NJFL, since H2O is a bi-product of the internal combustion engine. F/ sure coating on the inside is the way to go. Thanks.

I will say that I like the "ball flange" on the Headman "Direct Fit" Headers. I'll see how it seals up after some running time. I have a 2 1/2" stainless exhaust system w/ 50 series Flowmasters, no converter, (and no emissions, Edelbrock carb and Air Gap intake, no EGR). As a kid, I always loved the "pinging" sound of the exhaust through headers and dual pipes on the factory performance cars in the cold New York weather. Now in Texas, on colder days, I stand inback of my cars and listen to that sound that reminds me of my childhood. Remember when the older guys in your neighborhood would ask you if you wanted to go to the (drag) races on Sunday, the guys who had NHRA record holders or competitive cars? I would jump at that opportunity and help in anyway I could. I loved it! Now days, you ask a kid to do that and they look at you like you're an alien. They would rather sit infront of a video game. I'm still game to go to the races, either w/ my car or helping another guy w/ his.