Header lifespan ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 46
From: Vienna VA
Header lifespan ?
There are tons of post regarding header performance, etc., but what can I expect regarding the liftspan of header versus stock equipment? Is one manufactor better than another regarding longevity? Is getting the headers coated worth it? What coating is recommended?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by testpros
There are tons of post regarding header performance, etc., but what can I expect regarding the liftspan of header versus stock equipment? Is one manufactor better than another regarding longevity? Is getting the headers coated worth it? What coating is recommended?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 46
From: Vienna VA
Thanks for the reply LoneStar FRC. I know the stock equipment will last virtually forever (or at least the lifetime of the car). Can I expect the same from quality headers? If not, how many miles/years could I expect prior to replacement? Hopefully I could expect them to outlast a stock muffler.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 0
From: Paducah Ky
I'm not sure about the lifespan of headers, but I'm sure they would last many years. I just put on Lg longtubes wednesday and had them coated at Jet Hot. They look like chrome. Many say it's not necessary to coat 304 stainless but I did mine for heat reduction and because they stay looking nice. They say it's possible for 1 to 3 percent more hp due to better flow, but that might just be more hype. I have the Ghl bullets exhaust and sound like stock until you get on it. Now with the headers it's just a little louder and when you get on it now it's BAD AZZ sound. I would have gotten them sooner if I had known how much better it made the car sound. Do the mod, you won't regret it. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Originally Posted by testpros
There are tons of post regarding header performance, etc., but what can I expect regarding the liftspan of header versus stock equipment? Is one manufactor better than another regarding longevity? Is getting the headers coated worth it? What coating is recommended?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,061
Likes: 38
From: Menifee CA
Originally Posted by Vette5.5
SS headers should last indefinately. Depending on the stainless used, they might lightly rust. Jet Hot coating availible in several colors, will make them prettier, also producing less underhood heat. I've had silver Jet Hot coated mild steel headers on another car for years and they still look like new. Jet Hot reccomends, not running to lean F/A ratio. The higher exhaust temperatures, might damage the coating.
I had a set of FLP headers that were JET COATED and about 6 month after getting them they STARTED TO RUST, especially inside the pipes......... So I call FLP and tell them about the warranty, so they referr me to JET HOT, but jet hot DENIES it and BLAME ME for it saing that its from ABUSE
ABUSE?????
anyways I bought myself some Dynotechs SS LTs and couldnt be more happier
JET HOT============== WASTE OF YOUR MONEY
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Depends on what SS is used, but I've never had an issue, and there is nothing wrong with light surface rust if you start to see some on the upper horizontal surfaces (especially around welds).
Any good headers should last the lifetime of the car w/o issue.
Any good headers should last the lifetime of the car w/o issue.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by testpros
Thanks for the reply LoneStar FRC. I know the stock equipment will last virtually forever (or at least the lifetime of the car). Can I expect the same from quality headers? If not, how many miles/years could I expect prior to replacement? Hopefully I could expect them to outlast a stock muffler.
Unless you have gone with Z06 Ti mufflers, then yes, stainless headers will easily outlast the factory mufflers as they are regular mild steel.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by testpros
Thanks for all the advise folks. I going to go with either LG or Kooks and skip the Jet coating (and use that money towards 4.10 gears).
