[Z06] Coating (ceramic) or no coating?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
Coating (ceramic) headers & longevity of the engine
i searched but couldn't find a good answear
I'm thinking to get an
ARH headers and x-pipe and i'm told that i wouldn't be able to use my oem heatshield with any kind of aftermarket LTH .. so it seems like coating the header might be smart move in terms of lowering the engine heat , i don't really care how "cool" it'd look .. could that be any bad for the engine? is there anything i should know or i should just go ahead and have them coated before i install ?... if yes , should i also do the same for my x-pipes or header would be enough? thanks for your input
I'm thinking to get an
ARH headers and x-pipe and i'm told that i wouldn't be able to use my oem heatshield with any kind of aftermarket LTH .. so it seems like coating the header might be smart move in terms of lowering the engine heat , i don't really care how "cool" it'd look .. could that be any bad for the engine? is there anything i should know or i should just go ahead and have them coated before i install ?... if yes , should i also do the same for my x-pipes or header would be enough? thanks for your input
Last edited by glamcem; Jun 9, 2008 at 02:12 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Here we go again...I just used "ceramic metallic coating" as keywords (search) and came up with two pages of various opinions.
It's another topic where there will never be a consensus of opinion...
It's another topic where there will never be a consensus of opinion...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
For the same reason there's so many different opinions about which is the best shifter, best clutch, best intake, best tires, best headers, best catback, best color, best wax, best wheels, yada, yada, yada.
It's all subjective and a matter of opinion...from the suppliers of the service/product and those that have used the service/product. And few owners will admit they made the wrong choice.
Personally, I wouldn't buy headers w/o a ceramic metallic coating, irregardless of the host material the headers are manufactured from. I like it more from the lifetime appearance standpoint and the heat reduction under hood.
I question why some questions are even asked anymore...unless the original poster is simply counting the totals of different opinions.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jun 9, 2008 at 07:30 PM.
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, btw like i mentioned above i searched it but couldn't find a solid info
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,786
Likes: 425
From: North Georgia, USA
I generally have headers coated with a thermal barrier coating inside the pipes. The outside can be left uncoated or coated with whatever color you like. I would seriously consider getting the exhaust pipes after the cat coated inside as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
In theory it adds power. Measurable? Not that I'm aware of.
It will reduce underhood temps which means less likelihood of cooked wires, rubber.
That said I've run steel and stainless headers in many daily driven cars for 35+ years, no special coatings, and no premature wire, hose, seal issues to my recollection.
It will reduce underhood temps which means less likelihood of cooked wires, rubber.
That said I've run steel and stainless headers in many daily driven cars for 35+ years, no special coatings, and no premature wire, hose, seal issues to my recollection.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
In theory it adds power. Measurable? Not that I'm aware of.
It will reduce underhood temps which means less likelihood of cooked wires, rubber.
That said I've run steel and stainless headers in many daily driven cars for 35+ years, no special coatings, and no premature wire, hose, seal issues to my recollection.
It will reduce underhood temps which means less likelihood of cooked wires, rubber.
That said I've run steel and stainless headers in many daily driven cars for 35+ years, no special coatings, and no premature wire, hose, seal issues to my recollection.
I've had SS headers on my car for 15 years without any issues. I would recommend cool sox to shield your plug wires.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,594
Likes: 4,619
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Ceramic coating is essential for keeping the under hood temperature cooler and for a nicer appeaarance too. My headers are ceramic coated. I also have heat socks for the spark plug wires and reflective heat protection for the starter wires and the brake lines along with reflective heat tape for electrical connectors.
