Header coating - Is it a must?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: South Louisiana/Mississippi
Header coating - Is it a must?
I am planning on putting headers on my 07 M6 and would like to know if anyone has put stainless headers on without coating them with Jet
Hot. I drive this car every day and would like to know if I can get away with not spending the extra $300 for coating. My tuner has told me that the American Racing headers make the most horsepower and provide the best fit.
Hot. I drive this car every day and would like to know if I can get away with not spending the extra $300 for coating. My tuner has told me that the American Racing headers make the most horsepower and provide the best fit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
For me it was, but a lot of people run uncoated headers for years without problems.
I'll also add that my Kooks + vararam combo made 395rwhp on 91 octane and went on with basic tools on jackstands without any fitment issues whatsoever.
I'll also add that my Kooks + vararam combo made 395rwhp on 91 octane and went on with basic tools on jackstands without any fitment issues whatsoever.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'11-'12
Ive seen underhood temps drastically reduced with some coated headers. So much, in fact, that I would definitely coat my next set. I may even have mine coated when I drop them to do the clutch.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 731
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From: calgary alberta
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 23
Yep, It maks a difference at the dragstrip with the IAT temps. Spend the extra $300 for the appearance alone even if you don't care about the heat. Once the headers turn color you'll regret it if you don't coat them. Unless you don't care what it looks like under the hood and you don't dragrace get it done.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 244
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From: Lakewood Ranch FL
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: salem OR
I am planning on putting headers on my 07 M6 and would like to know if anyone has put stainless headers on without coating them with Jet
Hot. I drive this car every day and would like to know if I can get away with not spending the extra $300 for coating. My tuner has told me that the American Racing headers make the most horsepower and provide the best fit.
Hot. I drive this car every day and would like to know if I can get away with not spending the extra $300 for coating. My tuner has told me that the American Racing headers make the most horsepower and provide the best fit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 2
From: Carlsbad CA
This is almost like a Ford vs Chevy debate. They guys with it, believe in it. The guys without it ...
I've always coated my headers so I doubt I would argue against it. I just put these babies on a couple weeks ago. Jethoat coated inside and out, all the way (except the cats) to the axle.
I buy the argument the coated headers keep temperatures down in the engine compartment and that can't be a bad thnig. And they definetly look better new and over time
I've always coated my headers so I doubt I would argue against it. I just put these babies on a couple weeks ago. Jethoat coated inside and out, all the way (except the cats) to the axle.
I buy the argument the coated headers keep temperatures down in the engine compartment and that can't be a bad thnig. And they definetly look better new and over time
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 3
From: Buena Park CA
Yes, you MUST coat your headers! No, they're NOT just an appearance mod. I use JetHot, they are the best. Here's what they do for you:
1. They drastically reduce the heat in the engine compartment.
2. They make the headers last much longer.
3. They will give you a few more horses.
4. They look better initially and over time.
I had my Hedman headers first coated on my 450HP '75 Chevy truck back in 1997. Just as I sold it last year (after 10 years), they still looked like brand new. And, my headers are coated on my '91 Camaro. For my '07 Vette, I plan on the stainless steel LG headers and getting them coated as well.
Just do it, you'll be happy you did!
1. They drastically reduce the heat in the engine compartment.
2. They make the headers last much longer.
3. They will give you a few more horses.
4. They look better initially and over time.
I had my Hedman headers first coated on my 450HP '75 Chevy truck back in 1997. Just as I sold it last year (after 10 years), they still looked like brand new. And, my headers are coated on my '91 Camaro. For my '07 Vette, I plan on the stainless steel LG headers and getting them coated as well.
Just do it, you'll be happy you did!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Yes, it will lower the underhood temps and yes it looks good, however the heat has to go somehere. I have never personally tested back to back but understand there is an increase in combustion chamber temperature, which could lead to detonation if not tuned after the install and/or force you to run a less agressive tune.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: Lawrenceville Georgia
Yes, it will lower the underhood temps and yes it looks good, however the heat has to go somehere. I have never personally tested back to back but understand there is an increase in combustion chamber temperature, which could lead to detonation if not tuned after the install and/or force you to run a less agressive tune.
That heat that you are referring to carried further downstream and released along the path of the exhaust.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
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From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I bought B&B headers and they told me that I wasting my money by having them coated. They offer a lifetime warranty, so if it make stainless steel headers last longer, I think they would have recommended it.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
Good quality stainless will hold up well without the coating, but if you want that show car look, then coat them.
Another factor often over looked is emissions testing. If you have a visual emissions test in your area, you do not want to coat your headers. Coat them and it is a dead give away.
Another factor often over looked is emissions testing. If you have a visual emissions test in your area, you do not want to coat your headers. Coat them and it is a dead give away.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: calgary alberta
I have done both ways and will always coat now.
Last edited by backchannel; Jul 20, 2008 at 05:39 PM.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
>>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.<<
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 781
Likes: 82
From: MA
Most people just don't want to spend the money to coat their headers. Coating headers may, however, be a bit more than an appearance mod. This is from Jett 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.<<
>>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.<<
you beat me to it, Wayne. It was always my understanding of the increased exhaust flow as a result of the exhaust's own heat, more exhaust heat retained in the tube faster flow, more scavenging, so coated definitely helps. And with a cooler engine compartment... a Win Win situation.
IIRC ARH headers are 304 SS per Nick
My new ARH Z06 headers are going to Jet Hot this week re: the above.