Header Coating
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Header Coating
Hi,
In the future I want to add headers and full exhaust system to my car. Has anyone tried the ceramic coating they place on the headers? Anyone experience cooler cabin temperatures? Would it be a good idea to coat the headers, cats, and pipes running down the tunnel or just the headers. I want to reduce engine and cabin temperatures and add longevity to the exhaust system and engine components. Thanks.
In the future I want to add headers and full exhaust system to my car. Has anyone tried the ceramic coating they place on the headers? Anyone experience cooler cabin temperatures? Would it be a good idea to coat the headers, cats, and pipes running down the tunnel or just the headers. I want to reduce engine and cabin temperatures and add longevity to the exhaust system and engine components. Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 464
Likes: 2
From: Dallas TX
St. Jude Donor '12, '14-'15, '17, '20
I don't know that I have seen a definitive answer on this, but I could be wrong. I saw one post that stated the coating could promote detonation by insulating heat at the head.
I did not coat them since it cost more and I could not find any real world benefit. I personally thought the car ran too hot and temps under the hood were high in stock form. A 160 degree thermostat fixed that issue.
I did not coat them since it cost more and I could not find any real world benefit. I personally thought the car ran too hot and temps under the hood were high in stock form. A 160 degree thermostat fixed that issue.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
I was thinking of adding header wrap, but was advised against it. I have header wrap on my motorcycle's full exhaust, just to keep temperatures from cooking my legs and engine. I did notice lower temps and a deeper exhaust note.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
I did my Kooks headers, cats, and X pipe with a thermal coating by http://www.swaintech.com
I suggest you call them up and get their view on the worthiness of doing your exhaust. I'm convinced it has reduced the under heat on my car.
I suggest you call them up and get their view on the worthiness of doing your exhaust. I'm convinced it has reduced the under heat on my car.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
Ceramic coatings, aka, Jet-Hot, have several advantages. Prevents rust, keeps the heat from combustion inside the pipe which helps accelerate the gases, reduces engine compartment temps, and helps light off the cats quicker, hence, no thrown codes. Also, they look purdy, an' can be polished fer dat shinnee luk!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,092
Likes: 123
From: Okiehoma
I don't know that I have seen a definitive answer on this, but I could be wrong. I saw one post that stated the coating could promote detonation by insulating heat at the head.
I did not coat them since it cost more and I could not find any real world benefit. I personally thought the car ran too hot and temps under the hood were high in stock form. A 160 degree thermostat fixed that issue.
I did not coat them since it cost more and I could not find any real world benefit. I personally thought the car ran too hot and temps under the hood were high in stock form. A 160 degree thermostat fixed that issue.
100%.. I had same idea to get headers coated but my Tuner advised against it.. I had 160 stat installed with fans turned up and my console doesnt heat up at all like it did with stock exhaust and stat.. as a matter of fact i don't notice console getting hot at all..
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,795
Likes: 2
From: Noblesville Indiana
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
I know that having them coating will keep the cabin temps down. As far as performance advantages/disadvantages, I have no idea, but I did get mine JetHot coated.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Coated headers do keep more heat in the exhaust pipes, where your O2 sensors are located. This hotter temp will cause them to report differently than those running at the temps they were designed for. Be sure to get different O2 sensors to match the new heat range you will be running. Been tuning these things way too long to not see this difference.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,887
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
Coated headers do keep more heat in the exhaust pipes, where your O2 sensors are located. This hotter temp will cause them to report differently than those running at the temps they were designed for. Be sure to get different O2 sensors to match the new heat range you will be running. Been tuning these things way too long to not see this difference.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I opted to have my LG Pro long tube headers coated. I know there's debate on the subject...I'm no expert. I do know I've no problems with mine and they look great.
(it's hard to see but yes...there are hockey pucks used as lift pads
)
FWIW, this was from a past post talking about the benefits of coating headers:
From Jet Hott:
Heat: The coating promotes denser, more potent fuel/air charges by insulating the engine bay from exhaust heat.
Also, it accelerates the pulsed-vacuum effect on “tuned” headers, resulting in more effective scavenging of cylinders. The increased velocity of exhaust gases produced by higher exit inertia not only clears each cylinder more quickly; it also draws in the next fuel/air charge more efficiently.
(it's hard to see but yes...there are hockey pucks used as lift pads
)FWIW, this was from a past post talking about the benefits of coating headers:
From Jet Hott:
Heat: The coating promotes denser, more potent fuel/air charges by insulating the engine bay from exhaust heat.
Also, it accelerates the pulsed-vacuum effect on “tuned” headers, resulting in more effective scavenging of cylinders. The increased velocity of exhaust gases produced by higher exit inertia not only clears each cylinder more quickly; it also draws in the next fuel/air charge more efficiently.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
I coated my LG Pros and have yet to throw a code, 2k miles since the mod. Your O2 sensors are designed for the heat so you do not need different sensors. Think about it the factory location for the 1st o2 sensor is only a few inches from the heads and the new location is 18" to 24" away from the heads. The cast iron manifolds keep in more heat than non coated headers and may be even more than the coated headers. The benefit of coated headers is that the exhaust gases stay hotter therfore the cats get to the correct operational temperature and work as designed. Since the cats do their job at the correct temps you will not have to remove the rear o2 sensors with a tune.