Rusted headers
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,180
Likes: 233
From: Minnetrista Minnesota
Check the Tech/Performance section. Kracka has some great write ups on how he coated (and even ported) his stock exhaust manifolds and should not affect your warranty in any way.
I was headed that direction until I found a sweet deal on a set of LG Super Pro's from a Forum member. Had them coated here in Minnesota and really like how they turned out. LT's, ported intake and TB and an AFE with a good tune will change your stock LT1 into a beast. I know you may want to hang on to your warranty, but when you get ready for some HP this isn't a bad route to go. And the sound is insane through NPP's. I have the fuse pulled and at idle or just cruising sounds nice, not annoying, won't attract too much attention, wifey even is happy. Run the RPM's and it screams bloody murder, women and children will be frightened
I was headed that direction until I found a sweet deal on a set of LG Super Pro's from a Forum member. Had them coated here in Minnesota and really like how they turned out. LT's, ported intake and TB and an AFE with a good tune will change your stock LT1 into a beast. I know you may want to hang on to your warranty, but when you get ready for some HP this isn't a bad route to go. And the sound is insane through NPP's. I have the fuse pulled and at idle or just cruising sounds nice, not annoying, won't attract too much attention, wifey even is happy. Run the RPM's and it screams bloody murder, women and children will be frightened
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,076
Likes: 12,434
From: NE South Carolina
Check the Tech/Performance section. Kracka has some great write ups on how he coated (and even ported) his stock exhaust manifolds and should not affect your warranty in any way.
I was headed that direction until I found a sweet deal on a set of LG Super Pro's from a Forum member. Had them coated here in Minnesota and really like how they turned out. LT's, ported intake and TB and an AFE with a good tune will change your stock LT1 into a beast. I know you may want to hang on to your warranty, but when you get ready for some HP this isn't a bad route to go. And the sound is insane through NPP's. I have the fuse pulled and at idle or just cruising sounds nice, not annoying, won't attract too much attention, wifey even is happy. Run the RPM's and it screams bloody murder, women and children will be frightened
I was headed that direction until I found a sweet deal on a set of LG Super Pro's from a Forum member. Had them coated here in Minnesota and really like how they turned out. LT's, ported intake and TB and an AFE with a good tune will change your stock LT1 into a beast. I know you may want to hang on to your warranty, but when you get ready for some HP this isn't a bad route to go. And the sound is insane through NPP's. I have the fuse pulled and at idle or just cruising sounds nice, not annoying, won't attract too much attention, wifey even is happy. Run the RPM's and it screams bloody murder, women and children will be frightened
Next to 304 stainless headers, ceramic coating works fine. My ProStreet Rod with an 8.2 liter BB has Sanderson Jet Hot Coated long tube headers and after 15 years there is no rust. Not as shinny as when new but even if they were made from quality stainless they would also discolor like my Borla 3 inch pipes and mufflers.
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Waiting to hear what response you get back from GM. 
My bet is they say it is normal, live with it.
My bet is they say it is normal, live with it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Yup, you won't find a cheap alternative to protect those hot surfaces. Purchasing Department would never approve the huge cost at an OEM. I say, why bother anyway? Water will never stand on the hot surface, therefore, there is no risk of perforation as in stamped steel control arms. High temps are your friend, simply stated water is boiled off.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,076
Likes: 12,434
From: NE South Carolina
Engine blocks were made from cast iron for many years as are most exhaust manifolds! They don't "rust away" it's mostly a surface appearance issue. The biggest problem with the exhaust manifold is inside and as you note, the water that causes mufflers and tailpipe made of steel to rust out can't exist in the manifold interior! 
The long tube, Jet Hot ceramic coated headers in my street rod are coated inside and out!
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Engine blocks were made from cast iron for many years as are most exhaust manifolds! They don't "rust away" it's mostly a surface appearance issue. The biggest problem with the exhaust manifold is inside and as you note, the water that causes mufflers and tailpipe made of steel to rust out can't exist in the manifold interior! The long tube, Jet Hot ceramic coated headers in my street rod are coated inside and out!
The 2 Jerrys seem to have it....
