anyone run uncoated headers???
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 681
From: Marlboro country MA
Most of us who installed Stainless Works headers have left them uncoated, since they won't rust. There is a whole lot more heat apparent inside the car near the center hump since I installed mine, and the first week or so there was a considerable outpouring of smoke as they heat cycled. Since then, there's been no more smoke, but the floor of the car is still hot. YMMV.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 18
From: Raleigh, NC
I have had uncoated Hooker 2151's on my car for about 10,000 miles. No problems here. There is a small amount of surface rust on the bolts, but the headers look basically the same as the day I installed them.
There is some additional heat under the hood, but I don't have a way to quantify it. It hasn't caused any problems yet.
Those who say, "I would never do it." have probably never done it. I would be suprised if anyone had empircal data that said, "My car with stock manifolds was XXX under the hood. With uncoated headers it was XXX. Now, with coated headers it is XXX." I don't doubt the coated headers run a bit cooler, but how much cooler I don't think anyone really knows. My uncoated ones look new still (other than the bolts, lol), were cheaper than coated, and haven't caused any heating problems.
Your results may vary.
There is some additional heat under the hood, but I don't have a way to quantify it. It hasn't caused any problems yet.
Those who say, "I would never do it." have probably never done it. I would be suprised if anyone had empircal data that said, "My car with stock manifolds was XXX under the hood. With uncoated headers it was XXX. Now, with coated headers it is XXX." I don't doubt the coated headers run a bit cooler, but how much cooler I don't think anyone really knows. My uncoated ones look new still (other than the bolts, lol), were cheaper than coated, and haven't caused any heating problems.
Your results may vary.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Dont run uncoated headers, its not good for any plastics, fluids, and wiring under the hood. I've seen brake boosters melt, wiring becomes frayed.
Just the fact that I can grab my TPiS headers ~20-25min after shutdown tells me that I made the right choice with coating.
Just the fact that I can grab my TPiS headers ~20-25min after shutdown tells me that I made the right choice with coating.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,204
Likes: 4
From: Midland Georgia
St. Jude Donor '06
He is right!
Originally Posted by VR'92
Mine are coated and Its still much hotter than stock. I wouldn't run headers un-coated.
unless you want to BBQ your engine compartment. It may take awhile but you will spend a ton of money replacing cooked parts over time.BTW, I have run uncoated headers. I would not do it again. Just got mine back from Jet-Hot as a part of the engine rebuild.... Looking forward to lower temps
Last edited by jakers; Jul 29, 2006 at 12:13 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by 383_BluByU
How do uncoated headers create more heat in the engine compartment then the stock exhaust manifolds (which are uncoated)?
whereas the exhaust manifold tends to keep it in the engine, and being so big and heavy they suck it up when it gets to them, they radiate it away more slowly