Ceramic coat?
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 6
From: Palos Verdes Peninsula California
I definitely recommend ceramic coating. I just had my complete American racing header system done by Jet Hot, pipes and all. They look gorgeous. Jet Hot did a very nice job and was easy to work with.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 6
From: Palos Verdes Peninsula California
Whether the heat issue is accurate ot not, I went with the coating for appearance. For me it was worth the extra money.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
In my opinion, Jet Hot is an absolute necessity for carbon steel headers, but is not needed for 300 series stainless headers. The stainless will not rust and the thermal conductivity of 300 series is a lot lower than carbon steel (113 versus 360 btu/sq ft//hr/F/in).
I've even heard of a tuner here on the board that says if you coat stainless that it will retain so much heat that it causes detonation and they have to pull timing out of the engine.
I've even heard of a tuner here on the board that says if you coat stainless that it will retain so much heat that it causes detonation and they have to pull timing out of the engine.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
In my opinion, Jet Hot is an absolute necessity for carbon steel headers, but is not needed for 300 series stainless headers. The stainless will not rust and the thermal conductivity of 300 series is a lot lower than carbon steel (113 versus 360 btu/sq ft//hr/F/in).
I've even heard of a tuner here on the board that says if you coat stainless that it will retain so much heat that it causes detonation and they have to pull timing out of the engine.
I've even heard of a tuner here on the board that says if you coat stainless that it will retain so much heat that it causes detonation and they have to pull timing out of the engine.
Yep, heard that too.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett Texas
In my opinion, Jet Hot is an absolute necessity for carbon steel headers, but is not needed for 300 series stainless headers. The stainless will not rust and the thermal conductivity of 300 series is a lot lower than carbon steel (113 versus 360 btu/sq ft//hr/F/in).
I've even heard of a tuner here on the board that says if you coat stainless that it will retain so much heat that it causes detonation and they have to pull timing out of the engine.
I've even heard of a tuner here on the board that says if you coat stainless that it will retain so much heat that it causes detonation and they have to pull timing out of the engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
It may be a good post, but I'm just repeating someone else's statement. However, it does sound plausible.
To tell you the truth, Jet Hot looks fantastic, it's a beautiful coating. I had some MAC mid-length headers Jet Hotted on my 94 Z28. I gave that car to my son and a few years later he then sold it to a good friend and the coating still looks good 4 years later.
However, if I'm going to spring the extra cash to get a 300 series stainless header, I'm going to show them off! That means, do not coat them, let them turn straw/blue color and let people know you bought the best headers out there.
As far as Corvette headers, I think all the stainless ones are 300 series, but beware. SLP makes a Camaro header that is made from 400 series stainless steel. 400 series will still corrode and it also has a much higher thermal conductivity. 400 Series stainless flatware is also very cheap and will rust. I used to carry a magnet around with me (I was and still am a nerd, but it was required at a job I had back in the 70's) and I would use it to check the flatware at restaurants. 400 series is magnetic, 300 series is not (unless it's been cold worked a lot).
Enough trivia, I'm sure I put everyone to sleep!
Thanks,
Glenn
To tell you the truth, Jet Hot looks fantastic, it's a beautiful coating. I had some MAC mid-length headers Jet Hotted on my 94 Z28. I gave that car to my son and a few years later he then sold it to a good friend and the coating still looks good 4 years later.
However, if I'm going to spring the extra cash to get a 300 series stainless header, I'm going to show them off! That means, do not coat them, let them turn straw/blue color and let people know you bought the best headers out there.
As far as Corvette headers, I think all the stainless ones are 300 series, but beware. SLP makes a Camaro header that is made from 400 series stainless steel. 400 series will still corrode and it also has a much higher thermal conductivity. 400 Series stainless flatware is also very cheap and will rust. I used to carry a magnet around with me (I was and still am a nerd, but it was required at a job I had back in the 70's) and I would use it to check the flatware at restaurants. 400 series is magnetic, 300 series is not (unless it's been cold worked a lot).
Enough trivia, I'm sure I put everyone to sleep!
Thanks,
Glenn
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
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As far as Corvette headers, I think all the stainless ones are 300 series, but beware. SLP makes a Camaro header that is made from 400 series stainless steel. 400 series will still corrode and it also has a much higher thermal conductivity. 400 Series stainless flatware is also very cheap and will rust. I used to carry a magnet around with me (I was and still am a nerd, but it was required at a job I had back in the 70's) and I would use it to check the flatware at restaurants. 400 series is magnetic, 300 series is not (unless it's been cold worked a lot).
Enough trivia, I'm sure I put everyone to sleep!
Thanks,
Glenn
As far as Corvette headers, I think all the stainless ones are 300 series, but beware. SLP makes a Camaro header that is made from 400 series stainless steel. 400 series will still corrode and it also has a much higher thermal conductivity. 400 Series stainless flatware is also very cheap and will rust. I used to carry a magnet around with me (I was and still am a nerd, but it was required at a job I had back in the 70's) and I would use it to check the flatware at restaurants. 400 series is magnetic, 300 series is not (unless it's been cold worked a lot).
Enough trivia, I'm sure I put everyone to sleep!
Thanks,
Glenn
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
After hearing many of the purported pros and cons of coating, I opted to have my LGM long tubes coated. It caused no adverse detonation or timing adjustments that I'm aware of. IMO if for no other reason than appearance....it's worth it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 50
From: Sandy Eggo Calif.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '16
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 5
From: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
1) I'm extremely frugal (i.e. cheap as he11)
2) I like the looks of stainless steel
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
Yes, I'm skeptical too. Seems that heat downstream of a closing exhaust valve should not affect the compressed air fuel mixture lighting off early. So, in truth, the real reason to coat is for appearance. The reasons I did not coat in order of importance:
1) I'm extremely frugal (i.e. cheap as he11)
2) I like the looks of stainless steel
1) I'm extremely frugal (i.e. cheap as he11)
2) I like the looks of stainless steel
