Headers - Coated or Uncoated?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Michigan
Headers - Coated or Uncoated?
I've been considering headers for my '07 and have been trying to gather all the info. I can.
I like the idea of keeping some of the heat out of the engine bay but have also read detonation could be an issue. So I'd like to get some opinions on ceramic coated vs. SS. headers.
Pro/Cons of each?
Anyone have coated headers? Any issues? Worth the $?
Or is engine bay heat not even an issue with SS headers so don't even bother with coated.
What say you?
I like the idea of keeping some of the heat out of the engine bay but have also read detonation could be an issue. So I'd like to get some opinions on ceramic coated vs. SS. headers.
Pro/Cons of each?
Anyone have coated headers? Any issues? Worth the $?
Or is engine bay heat not even an issue with SS headers so don't even bother with coated.
What say you?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Hot Rod mag had an article showing the use of a temp gun pointed at the header on a running car that read 201degrees. I would have done it had I known it was that affective.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 12
From: Alpharetta Georgia
Coated. I can run my car all out. Come back and park it and no joke after 30ish minutes I can touch my headers for an extended periode of time without burning myself. The coating is much more effective than I ever imagined. I have the Jet Hot 1700 coating in Sterling
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
Carbon Steel, it's good to coat them for the temp reduction and rust prevention.
300 series Stainless Steel: No need to coat them, they don't rust and they have 1/3 the thermal conductivity which keeps them cool even without the coating. But, if you want them to be pretty, definitely coat them, they look great that way.
300 series Stainless Steel: No need to coat them, they don't rust and they have 1/3 the thermal conductivity which keeps them cool even without the coating. But, if you want them to be pretty, definitely coat them, they look great that way.
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
They may have 1/3 the conductivity, but the coating is still going to keep them cooler, along with all the parts around them. Coat 'em!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
I coated my LG's for 3 reasons:
1. Looks - I like that they don't change color after use.
2. Radiant heat - any little thing to keep the engine bay cooler.
3. read somewhere on the forum that it prevents you from getting O2 sensor errors. I believe that this is due to the exhaust gases being hotter so the cat works more effieciently. Makes some sense to me. 6k mi. and no issues.
1. Looks - I like that they don't change color after use.
2. Radiant heat - any little thing to keep the engine bay cooler.
3. read somewhere on the forum that it prevents you from getting O2 sensor errors. I believe that this is due to the exhaust gases being hotter so the cat works more effieciently. Makes some sense to me. 6k mi. and no issues.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 3
From: Buena Park CA
I have my 91 Camaro headers Jet Hot coated with the Sterling, love it, and will do it to the headers I eventually will purchase for the Vette.
Keep in mind, Stainless Steel will rust unless it is coated. It is not impervious to the bonding of oxygen as steel contains the elements of iron, carbon and nickel; iron bonds with oxygen real easy, so you eventually will see really small rust dots. Get 'em coated.
Keep in mind, Stainless Steel will rust unless it is coated. It is not impervious to the bonding of oxygen as steel contains the elements of iron, carbon and nickel; iron bonds with oxygen real easy, so you eventually will see really small rust dots. Get 'em coated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
...I went with SwainTech as they have the best thermal coating IMHO, with my car running I can actually touch the header right at the heads without leaving skin on it! 
And they're even cooler further down past the collectors to the point you can lay your entire hand on them without needing medical attention!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 410
Likes: 9
...I went with SwainTech as they have the best thermal coating IMHO, with my car running I can actually touch the header right at the heads without leaving skin on it! And they're even cooler further down past the collectors to the point you can lay your entire hand on them without needing medical attention!
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)
coated...and 
how many beers did that take ...
...I went with SwainTech as they have the best thermal coating IMHO, with my car running I can actually touch the header right at the heads without leaving skin on it!
And they're even cooler further down past the collectors to the point you can lay your entire hand on them without needing medical attention!
no, not really, maybe.... they will, however, change the sound
how many beers did that take ... ...I went with SwainTech as they have the best thermal coating IMHO, with my car running I can actually touch the header right at the heads without leaving skin on it! And they're even cooler further down past the collectors to the point you can lay your entire hand on them without needing medical attention!
no, not really, maybe.... they will, however, change the sound
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
I would say no it didn't, or if it did not by much. I still get the valve train noise which is typical of what happens with headers installed although it is low and I only can hear it with the hood up. 
As stupid as it sounds (to touch the header of a running car that is) not that many!
You start off slow, like by getting near it, then wetting your finger and doing a quick brush of the header (like checking a wood stove to see if it's hot) and then before you know it....you discover you can actually touch the header momentarily without any pain....or..."how to amaze your friends"!
As stupid as it sounds (to touch the header of a running car that is) not that many!
You start off slow, like by getting near it, then wetting your finger and doing a quick brush of the header (like checking a wood stove to see if it's hot) and then before you know it....you discover you can actually touch the header momentarily without any pain....or..."how to amaze your friends"!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Arvada CO
I coated my LG's for 3 reasons:
1. Looks - I like that they don't change color after use.
2. Radiant heat - any little thing to keep the engine bay cooler.
3. read somewhere on the forum that it prevents you from getting O2 sensor errors. I believe that this is due to the exhaust gases being hotter so the cat works more effieciently. Makes some sense to me. 6k mi. and no issues.
1. Looks - I like that they don't change color after use.
2. Radiant heat - any little thing to keep the engine bay cooler.
3. read somewhere on the forum that it prevents you from getting O2 sensor errors. I believe that this is due to the exhaust gases being hotter so the cat works more effieciently. Makes some sense to me. 6k mi. and no issues.
I agree with 1 and 2. I love my cherry red coated Kooks. Got the check engine light with all the sensors hooked up the second day. But I knew I would need a tune. Coating is the only way to go. And they look great.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
Emissions check: Do not coat
If you have an emissions check in your area, you may not want to coat stainless headers. The stainless coloring will distort just enough to look stock, but if you coat them it will set off all the alarms when the guys look under the car.
If you install mild steel headers, you really have no choice but to coat them as they will not hold up in severe weather.
If you install mild steel headers, you really have no choice but to coat them as they will not hold up in severe weather.