[Z06] Worth it to get Coated Headers?
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Worth it to get Coated Headers?
I am not looking to race my car, simply just for some around the town fun and purchasing headers w/x-pipes and curious if for some reason I should pay extra for the coating of the headers? Any thoughts?
Also, since I am keeping the TI mufflers I am going with:
1-3/4" Headers
3" x 2.5" x-pipe off road
any objections to this setup?
Also, since I am keeping the TI mufflers I am going with:
1-3/4" Headers
3" x 2.5" x-pipe off road
any objections to this setup?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro NC
I had coated Kooks headers on my last car but ONLY because they did it free when I got them. I wouldn't pay for the coating. Some will say that it helps but every good tuner I have talked to says it's not worth it. They do look cool though. I would use the money toward and intake or tune.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I've used uncoated headers in the past and would never do it again. Mild steel headers will rust. Stainless headers will eventually have a patina from repeated heat cycles.
Aside from protecting the tubes, they'll look great forever. You can get the ceramic metallic coatings in various colors. They'll lower engine compartment temperatures. The headers are cooler to the touch much quicker, which means less heat soak to the wires and plastic/rubber components in the engine compartment.
This gets asked regularly. Do a search or search this forum (in the red banner) in C5 Tech. Use keywords "jet hot coating" or "coated headers" or similar...
Aside from protecting the tubes, they'll look great forever. You can get the ceramic metallic coatings in various colors. They'll lower engine compartment temperatures. The headers are cooler to the touch much quicker, which means less heat soak to the wires and plastic/rubber components in the engine compartment.
This gets asked regularly. Do a search or search this forum (in the red banner) in C5 Tech. Use keywords "jet hot coating" or "coated headers" or similar...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 2
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: Bath PA
I had coated Kooks headers on my last car but ONLY because they did it free when I got them. I wouldn't pay for the coating. Some will say that it helps but every good tuner I have talked to says it's not worth it. They do look cool though. I would use the money toward and intake or tune.
All the guys who paid for coating will tell you to do it. My tuner said no also. And a good quality stainless system isn't going to rust so doing it for "looks" definitley doesn't make sense. I've had LG LTs for 3 years and with extreme use (40 plus track days) I've had no issues with heat and they look just like they did when they were installed.
This is another example of something that sounds good in theory but ultimately isn't worth the money.
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Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
+1 for spending the money elsewhere unless it's free.
All the guys who paid for coating will tell you to do it. My tuner said no also. And a good quality stainless system isn't going to rust so doing it for "looks" definitley doesn't make sense. I've had LG LTs for 3 years and with extreme use (40 plus track days) I've had no issues with heat and they look just like they did when they were installed.
This is another example of something that sounds good in theory but ultimately isn't worth the money.
All the guys who paid for coating will tell you to do it. My tuner said no also. And a good quality stainless system isn't going to rust so doing it for "looks" definitley doesn't make sense. I've had LG LTs for 3 years and with extreme use (40 plus track days) I've had no issues with heat and they look just like they did when they were installed.
This is another example of something that sounds good in theory but ultimately isn't worth the money.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 22,753
Likes: 943
+1 for spending the money elsewhere unless it's free.
All the guys who paid for coating will tell you to do it. My tuner said no also. And a good quality stainless system isn't going to rust so doing it for "looks" definitley doesn't make sense. I've had LG LTs for 3 years and with extreme use (40 plus track days) I've had no issues with heat and they look just like they did when they were installed.
This is another example of something that sounds good in theory but ultimately isn't worth the money.
All the guys who paid for coating will tell you to do it. My tuner said no also. And a good quality stainless system isn't going to rust so doing it for "looks" definitley doesn't make sense. I've had LG LTs for 3 years and with extreme use (40 plus track days) I've had no issues with heat and they look just like they did when they were installed.
This is another example of something that sounds good in theory but ultimately isn't worth the money.
Mine are 3 or 4yrs old and look the same as the day I put them on and dont have a spot of rust on them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg PA
It's not worth it for performance, but for the sake of keeping them looking the same as the day I got them 10 years from now, and lowering temps under hood, especially around the wires - I had my Kooks headers coated, and they do look great installed!
