Consensus on Ceramic Coating Stainless Steel Headers?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Sydney NSW
Re: Consensus on Ceramic Coating Stainless Steel Headers? (RobWilson)
I also heard that the ceramic does not adhere well to the stainless. If you are going to coat them inside and out, then why bother with stainless anyway?Just an extra uneccessary cost in my view. Get them in mild steel and coat them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: Consensus on Ceramic Coating Stainless Steel Headers? (Coolvet)
I also heard that the ceramic does not adhere well to the stainless. If you are going to coat them inside and out, then why bother with stainless anyway?Just an extra uneccessary cost in my view. Get them in mild steel and coat them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Re: Consensus on Ceramic Coating Stainless Steel Headers? (wwashing)
Swaintech might claim a 50% reduction in heat..but I claim at least 70%. Here is why.
When I installed my Stainlessworks LTs I did so without removing the sparkplugs..during the process I cracked #3 plug...when I went for drive my car was backfirine under WOT, went back got the Tech II, took some scans while driving and BINGO...#3 bank. I popped the hood and proceeded in starting to remove the plug......now here is where I get to the 70%. When I stuck my hand down to pull the Spark Plug Wire off, there was no warning from radiating heat off the headers, I had been driving the car around for at least 20 mins on a summer day and it only took me 5 mins to pop the hood and get a spark plug wrench. So when I reached down and began pulling the plug off, my index finger leaned on the tube...and my finger instantly scorched turning the whole outside layer a charred white color...it did not even blister for 1 hour because it seared the top layer of skin so fast. So I have to say that within inches the headers with the swaintech coating only felt warm..when they were actually red hot! I guess there is a reason they used it on the space shuttle.
When I installed my Stainlessworks LTs I did so without removing the sparkplugs..during the process I cracked #3 plug...when I went for drive my car was backfirine under WOT, went back got the Tech II, took some scans while driving and BINGO...#3 bank. I popped the hood and proceeded in starting to remove the plug......now here is where I get to the 70%. When I stuck my hand down to pull the Spark Plug Wire off, there was no warning from radiating heat off the headers, I had been driving the car around for at least 20 mins on a summer day and it only took me 5 mins to pop the hood and get a spark plug wrench. So when I reached down and began pulling the plug off, my index finger leaned on the tube...and my finger instantly scorched turning the whole outside layer a charred white color...it did not even blister for 1 hour because it seared the top layer of skin so fast. So I have to say that within inches the headers with the swaintech coating only felt warm..when they were actually red hot! I guess there is a reason they used it on the space shuttle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
Re: Consensus on Ceramic Coating Stainless Steel Headers? (Shinobi'sZ)
For what its worth I went with SLP coated (inside and out). I also puts those koolsox on the spark plug wires and put the koolmaster heatshield under the car in the tunnel.
May be over kill but the socks cost 39.99, and the heatshield did decrease the in the car noise level and help keep the foot wells cool.
In my old C4 my right leg would lay against that inner wall and it would get hot.
Anyway The stainless the Slp are made of is the t404???and it has a high ferric concentration I was told and thats why they are coated. apparently there are different grades of SS. The one without any ferrous materials would technically not need coating to prevent rusting. Then its just an issue of heat protection.
I may be wrong, but hey I may be right, or I may be crazy :cheers:
May be over kill but the socks cost 39.99, and the heatshield did decrease the in the car noise level and help keep the foot wells cool.
In my old C4 my right leg would lay against that inner wall and it would get hot.
Anyway The stainless the Slp are made of is the t404???and it has a high ferric concentration I was told and thats why they are coated. apparently there are different grades of SS. The one without any ferrous materials would technically not need coating to prevent rusting. Then its just an issue of heat protection.
I may be wrong, but hey I may be right, or I may be crazy :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Re: Consensus on Ceramic Coating Stainless Steel Headers? (Gonzo)
FLP headers were originally made by Stainlessworks. Stainlessworks cut them off after they found out they were knocking them off..that is why FLP had some earlier fitment issues on the drivers side...they are all good now..but the material is the same.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 281
From: Tulsa OK
Re: Consensus on Ceramic Coating Stainless Steel Headers? (Shinobi'sZ)
That's what I wanted to hear. Thanks!
I have my Kooks on order from TSP, with ceramic coating.
I have my Kooks on order from TSP, with ceramic coating.
Swaintech might claim a 50% reduction in heat..but I claim at least 70%. Here is why.
When I installed my Stainlessworks LTs I did so without removing the sparkplugs..during the process I cracked #3 plug...when I went for drive my car was backfirine under WOT, went back got the Tech II, took some scans while driving and BINGO...#3 bank. I popped the hood and proceeded in starting to remove the plug......now here is where I get to the 70%. When I stuck my hand down to pull the Spark Plug Wire off, there was no warning from radiating heat off the headers, I had been driving the car around for at least 20 mins on a summer day and it only took me 5 mins to pop the hood and get a spark plug wrench. So when I reached down and began pulling the plug off, my index finger leaned on the tube...and my finger instantly scorched turning the whole outside layer a charred white color...it did not even blister for 1 hour because it seared the top layer of skin so fast. So I have to say that within inches the headers with the swaintech coating only felt warm..when they were actually red hot! I guess there is a reason they used it on the space shuttle.
When I installed my Stainlessworks LTs I did so without removing the sparkplugs..during the process I cracked #3 plug...when I went for drive my car was backfirine under WOT, went back got the Tech II, took some scans while driving and BINGO...#3 bank. I popped the hood and proceeded in starting to remove the plug......now here is where I get to the 70%. When I stuck my hand down to pull the Spark Plug Wire off, there was no warning from radiating heat off the headers, I had been driving the car around for at least 20 mins on a summer day and it only took me 5 mins to pop the hood and get a spark plug wrench. So when I reached down and began pulling the plug off, my index finger leaned on the tube...and my finger instantly scorched turning the whole outside layer a charred white color...it did not even blister for 1 hour because it seared the top layer of skin so fast. So I have to say that within inches the headers with the swaintech coating only felt warm..when they were actually red hot! I guess there is a reason they used it on the space shuttle.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 281
From: Tulsa OK
Re: Consensus on Ceramic Coating Stainless Steel Headers? (wwashing)
Exactly. The two headers I had narrowed it down to, LG and Kooks, are both stainless.
If you want a particular set of headers, they may only be made in stainless. :cheers:
