Ceramic headers; Any better?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16
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From: juno NY
Ceramic headers; Any better?
I found some hooker headers for my 84, but I dont know if I should opt for the ceramic coated ones. What do they offer (performance, durability) and is that extra 200 bucks better spent elsewhere? Also, are there any cheaper prices?
http://www.speeddemonmotorsports.com...exhaustC4.html
http://www.speeddemonmotorsports.com...exhaustC4.html
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (somethingerother)
Definitely spring for the $$ and get em ceramic coated in/out:
-they flow better==more hp
-they last longer
-they look better
The ceramic coating keeps the heat inside the exhaust gasses which keeps the engine compartment cooler and, most importantly, gives higher exhaust gas velocity resulting in more power.
-they flow better==more hp
-they last longer
-they look better
The ceramic coating keeps the heat inside the exhaust gasses which keeps the engine compartment cooler and, most importantly, gives higher exhaust gas velocity resulting in more power.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (somethingerother)
Also, you'll save a few bucks over that price by visiting http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...61&cgrfnbr=840
There's one problem though. Hooker DOES NOT coat their headers on the inside. You can either not worry about that (seems like most people don't), or have them coated by someone like Jet-Hot or HCP, which will cost another $250-$300 (eek).
Inside as well as outside coated are the best way to go, the next best is the standard external coating only. Whatever you do, don't leave them uncoated if you plan on keeping your vette as a daily driver.
[Modified by bradvette, 9:31 AM 11/11/2003]
There's one problem though. Hooker DOES NOT coat their headers on the inside. You can either not worry about that (seems like most people don't), or have them coated by someone like Jet-Hot or HCP, which will cost another $250-$300 (eek).
Inside as well as outside coated are the best way to go, the next best is the standard external coating only. Whatever you do, don't leave them uncoated if you plan on keeping your vette as a daily driver.
[Modified by bradvette, 9:31 AM 11/11/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
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From: RI
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (somethingerother)
One of the main reasons for ceramic coating is to keep the heat INSIDE the header especially if you have UNHEATED O2 sensors which REQUIRE the heat in order for the engine to properly calculate the engines exhaust. If you use uncoated headers the heat may bleed off to fast and not properly heat the O2 sensor and you'll never get into closed loop. Also the other biggy is uncoated headers get nasty looking after some time, ceramic tends to resist changing colors over time from the heat dissipation.
They are worth the extra cost
Kitt
They are worth the extra cost
Kitt
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (65Z01)
Definitely spring for the $$ and get em ceramic coated in/out:
-they flow better==more hp
-they last longer
-they look better
The ceramic coating keeps the heat inside the exhaust gasses which keeps the engine compartment cooler and, most importantly, gives higher exhaust gas velocity resulting in more power.
-they flow better==more hp
-they last longer
-they look better
The ceramic coating keeps the heat inside the exhaust gasses which keeps the engine compartment cooler and, most importantly, gives higher exhaust gas velocity resulting in more power.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (somethingerother)
I bought the Hooker Shorties directly from Jet-Hot and had their Sterling coating (ceramic) process. I've been running them since last spring and they still look new. Even if it's not Jet-Hot, go with the ceramic coating, unless you enjoy changing your headers every few years.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,521
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From: West Islip New York
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (bradvette)
There's one problem though. Hooker DOES NOT coat their headers on the inside. You can either not worry about that (seems like most people don't), or have them coated by someone like Jet-Hot or HCP, which will cost another $250-$300 (eek).
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (1MoorTym)
:nonod: I had mine done by HPC a couple of months ago for $80.00. They did such a nice job, I had them do the inside and outside of the front and rear Y pipes as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
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From: Seattle Area WA
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (kittmaster)
So if you are coated outside....but not inside...you could install the 02 in the y pipe after the header....and not need it to be heated???
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (USAsOnlyWay)
Coating outside tends to resist the elements and minimize corrosion; coating inside keeps the heat in the exhaust gasses.
It's best to locate the O2 sensor as close to the collector as possible; then with ceramic cloating inside you likely won't need to use a heated O2 sensor.
It's best to locate the O2 sensor as close to the collector as possible; then with ceramic cloating inside you likely won't need to use a heated O2 sensor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (65Z01)
> It's best to locate the O2 sensor as close to the collector as possible; then with ceramic cloating inside you likely won't need to use a heated O2 sensor.
You need a heated sensor with long tube headers? They cool uncoated so much more efficiently than the original stainless short tubes that they cannot heat the sensor enough? The original L98 O2 sensors are not heated, don't know about LT-1's.
ToniH
You need a heated sensor with long tube headers? They cool uncoated so much more efficiently than the original stainless short tubes that they cannot heat the sensor enough? The original L98 O2 sensors are not heated, don't know about LT-1's.
ToniH
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 428
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From: Dallas Tx
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (USAsOnlyWay)
Another reason to coat the inside is to protect the header itself if you are really working the engine. The ceramic coating will protect the steel from the excessive heat in the exhaust gases. Stainless steel especially can get brittle and crack from excessive heat.
Since the headers are SO much fun to install in the first place, might as well get them to last as long as possible with as little maintenance as possible.
Since the headers are SO much fun to install in the first place, might as well get them to last as long as possible with as little maintenance as possible.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Re: Ceramic headers; Any better? (USAsOnlyWay)
I didn't realize you asked the same thing, I only saw the answer and since i have never heard of anybody converting to heated sensor(s) because of headers I asked about it. So, guys are saying that you need heated ones. Good to know.
ToniH
ToniH
