Ceramic coated headers? othe exhausting questions
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Baxley GA
Ceramic coated headers? othe exhausting questions
So I think I would like to do the whole exhaust, but the last set of headers I bought were for my 09 6.2L Sierra. American Racing....very nice well made no complaints except they don't offer ceramic coating that I'm aware of. I guess my question is do y'all think it is even worth getting the coating? Or not? I would prefer getting them already coated and not having to receive them and then ship them off again.
Also this is my first Corvette and I'm not impressed by how it sounds just sitting at idle. I would like it to be more aggressive, but not so much that the window panes of my house shatter. I want to find a happy medium.
Also this is my first Corvette and I'm not impressed by how it sounds just sitting at idle. I would like it to be more aggressive, but not so much that the window panes of my house shatter. I want to find a happy medium.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
Since you live somewhere where it gets really hot, I'd say it's probably worth getting the ceramic coating. I prefer the raw stainless look myself and I live in a mild climate, so I skipped it. I did go for a stainless starter heat shield from Lingenfelter, though (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merc...egory_Code=E15) . Protects the starter wires, which I've seen melt and cause charging system problems.
As far as the exhaust, I haven't heard anything that sounds better than B&B Fusions. Plus, they are bi-mode so you can rattle the windows when you want.
As far as the exhaust, I haven't heard anything that sounds better than B&B Fusions. Plus, they are bi-mode so you can rattle the windows when you want.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
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From: Short Hills, NJ
But many others think that it is.
I've seen fast cars with coated headers and I've seen fast cars without it.
I've had non coated stainless steel headers for many years now on two different cars and have never burned a plug wire or starter motor and my cars do go pretty fast for what's done to them.
Me too, but if I'd felt that ceramic coating could truly help all that much I would still consider it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
Performance wise, I really don't think they do anything. I've also had some bad experiences in the past with header coatings. Really easy to scratch, stain, etc. At least that was my experience with Hooker's coating. With stainless, I don't see a need.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 40
From: Smallingerland Friesland, Netherlands
So I think I would like to do the whole exhaust, but the last set of headers I bought were for my 09 6.2L Sierra. American Racing....very nice well made no complaints except they don't offer ceramic coating that I'm aware of. I guess my question is do y'all think it is even worth getting the coating? Or not? I would prefer getting them already coated and not having to receive them and then ship them off again.
Also this is my first Corvette and I'm not impressed by how it sounds just sitting at idle. I would like it to be more aggressive, but not so much that the window panes of my house shatter. I want to find a happy medium.
Also this is my first Corvette and I'm not impressed by how it sounds just sitting at idle. I would like it to be more aggressive, but not so much that the window panes of my house shatter. I want to find a happy medium.
My Melrose Smooth Flow long tubes are under my Vette for four years now.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,725
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From: Woodlands (houston) TX
its up to you wether its worth it or not. it will keep your interior cooler. i try to coat everything when we build turbo kits. im gonna coat full exhaust on mine, but i know the owner of calico coatings. i allways suggest to atleast get headers coated. it reduces underhood temps. which not only makes a few more hp, but helps keep everything working correctly and keeps ac blowing cold.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 137
From: Short Hills, NJ
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
The Hooker headers (at least the older ones) and the Melrose headers are mild steel (not stainless) of course, I too would probably get those coated because otherwise they'd rust pretty badly. I've seen plenty of cases where a Jet Hot coated mild steel header still had surface rust and the coating was flaking off.
Yep, they were mild steel. That's why I got the coated ones way back when. Maybe the coatings are more durable on stainless headers?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 137
From: Short Hills, NJ
I haven't seen the horrible flaking/chipping as much in recent years as I have in the past but then again the cars I've seen lately are also more of the 'garaged kept/dry weather only' variety.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Baxley GA
Thanks guys on the opinions.....I guess I knew that I would be leaning toward the coating from the beginning just wanted to see what some of you guys were running and how you felt about them. I've emailed Nick at Am Racing and he's let me know they will ship them out to Jet Hot for looks or Swain Tech for heat retention.
I'm not dead set on any brand of headers...just that brand is first that comes to mind.
I like the idea of going with a bi mode exhaust when I relplace the stock.
I'm not dead set on any brand of headers...just that brand is first that comes to mind.
I like the idea of going with a bi mode exhaust when I relplace the stock.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Le Mans Master
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From: Cumming, GA
Team Owner
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Missouri City Texas
I believe it to be more of a marketing gimmick.
If you really want to drop underhood temps buy yourself a good heat extractor hood.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Because they do every possibly thing to gain the SLIGHTEST advantage and are running their cars endurance style.
Surely you aren't comparing our cars to purpose built racecars
For a street car I don't believe it has any use unless you're coating a mild steel header or driving in an area that see's a lot of road salt or soemthing similar.
Surely you aren't comparing our cars to purpose built racecars
For a street car I don't believe it has any use unless you're coating a mild steel header or driving in an area that see's a lot of road salt or soemthing similar.
Last edited by FloydSummerOf68; Aug 2, 2011 at 08:47 AM.