Coated headers worth it ?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,404
Likes: 55
From: Glastonbury CT.
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'20, '21,'22, '23
Coated headers worth it ?
Thinking of getting Kook headers and x-pipe with hi-flow cats for my 2000 Vette.
The motor is tricked up to put out 400hp, and more with the juice.
I am debating whether to have the headers coated or not..it's an additional 300 bucks.
I know the coating will keep the engine compartment cooler and keep the heat inside the header resulting in a fraction more hp.
Antbody have any strong opinions on this ?
777
The motor is tricked up to put out 400hp, and more with the juice.
I am debating whether to have the headers coated or not..it's an additional 300 bucks.
I know the coating will keep the engine compartment cooler and keep the heat inside the header resulting in a fraction more hp.
Antbody have any strong opinions on this ?
777
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Thinking of getting Kook headers and x-pipe with hi-flow cats for my 2000 Vette.
The motor is tricked up to put out 400hp, and more with the juice.
I am debating whether to have the headers coated or not..it's an additional 300 bucks.
I know the coating will keep the engine compartment cooler and keep the heat inside the header resulting in a fraction more hp.
Antbody have any strong opinions on this ?
777
The motor is tricked up to put out 400hp, and more with the juice.
I am debating whether to have the headers coated or not..it's an additional 300 bucks.
I know the coating will keep the engine compartment cooler and keep the heat inside the header resulting in a fraction more hp.
Antbody have any strong opinions on this ?
777
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
Certainly worth it. You can buy steel headers coated inside and out for less than SS and have all the benefits that come with the ceramic costing. Mine have been on for 7 years, no leaks, and still look brand new. 
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 203
Likes: 4
If you enjoy your car and want to keep it nice, do not give any consideration to uncoated headers. There are so many draw backs to uncoated headers like, over heating tranny fluids, intensifying under Hood temps, turning into rusty crap, and they catch stuff on fire a lot easier. Keep the high exhaust temps in the exhaust not in your ride.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 45
From: Marquette MI
I have Stainless Works headers on my 02 which puts out 400 rear axle HP. I use the stock plug heat protectors and have never had a problem with plug wires. The 304 stainless steel headers have developed an nice patina even though you can barely see them from the engine compartment. I would not spend money to coat headers unless you are really concerned about appearance and heat.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 112
From: New Braunfels TX
I can post pics of cars uncoated and coated. The damage to the wire harness over time is accelerated without coating. I recommend coating to everyone if they can afford it. The wire loom etc will become brittle. At least here in Texas its hot!
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 242
From: NW Chicago
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15
I was wondering about their coatings, I've seen their ads in mags but you never here about it on the Forum. How does it rate against Jet Hot coatings and the others.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
TOP 10 header debate: coat or no coat
I listen to the same people that make the LT headers for Ford FR500, Viper ACRx, Challenger Drag Pak, and Copo Camaro; they don't suggest coating them
Shoot a coated header with IR temp gun and compare to a bare SS header
I listen to the same people that make the LT headers for Ford FR500, Viper ACRx, Challenger Drag Pak, and Copo Camaro; they don't suggest coating them
Shoot a coated header with IR temp gun and compare to a bare SS header
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 103
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,404
Likes: 55
From: Glastonbury CT.
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'20, '21,'22, '23
I appreciate the responses.....but I am still confused as to if coating the headers has any benefit and worth doing.
Is it a 'chicken soup' thing or are there 'for sure' benefits.
777
Is it a 'chicken soup' thing or are there 'for sure' benefits.
777
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Nino, call the crew at www.americanracingheaders.com and get the info direct
They have done the research and give you the no BS answer
It's needed on lower cost/quality mild steel headers which will rust away in a few years here in the NE if driven year round; not in snow
, but year round
They have done the research and give you the no BS answer
It's needed on lower cost/quality mild steel headers which will rust away in a few years here in the NE if driven year round; not in snow
, but year round
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,404
Likes: 55
From: Glastonbury CT.
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'20, '21,'22, '23
Steve....called bith AR and Kooks and neither were beating the drum for coating headers.....they were both cool to the idea and basically said save your money.
777
777
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,404
Likes: 55
From: Glastonbury CT.
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'20, '21,'22, '23
It appears that underhood temps are reduced.... see here:http://www.centuryperformance.com/ex...e-spg-138.html
Strictly speaking, the coating is not necessary but I'll probably do it anyway. I like the idea of cooler underhood temps and a tad more hp....10°F reduction in intake air temperature provides a 1% increase in horsepower. A 30°F reduction equates to a 3% horsepower increase........
Toss up if you want to spend an additional 2/300 dollars. Your call.
777
Strictly speaking, the coating is not necessary but I'll probably do it anyway. I like the idea of cooler underhood temps and a tad more hp....10°F reduction in intake air temperature provides a 1% increase in horsepower. A 30°F reduction equates to a 3% horsepower increase........
Toss up if you want to spend an additional 2/300 dollars. Your call.
777
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
Like Steve said, mild steel: definitely (outstanding corrosion protection), stainless steel: doesn't hurt, but optional