Stainless LTs - how long before rust sets in?

[joe_momma]

Thinking about picking up some "natural" stainless LT headers for my '06GT (like the JBAs for example). I know that stainless is rust "resistant" for a time, but how long are we talking? If there isn't that much actual resistance, I may just spring for something coated. But - you can get into a mess with coated headers too if they aren't done properly. We have stainless equipment out on the production floor that gets washed down every night with high pressure hoses and harsh sanitizers/chemicals, and it doesn't rust. Just wondering about the life of headers on a DD.

 

[Dubstep Shep]

Chemically speaking, everything oxidizes, but at drastically different rates. Stainless steel has chromium in it which makes it quite difficult to oxidize, but still perfectly possible. As long as you wash your car regularly and hose down the headers I would think you would be fine. Don't drive around when there's salt on the road. Should stay nice and pretty.

 

[lethe]

I don't think anyone can give you a actual time frame. There are variables that could contribute to oxidation as well.

 

[Dubstep Shep]

I don't think anyone can give you a actual time frame. There are variables that could contribute to oxidation as well.

Exactly.

There's a reason old classic cars from Arizona and New Mexico and that area are more sought after than ones from say Washington or Florida. The cars usually don't have much rust if they've been in a dry area.

Keep it clean, keep it dry, and keep salt off of them and there's no reason it shouldn't last as long as the car.

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll lollipop?

 

[BadHabit2Break]

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll lollipop?

 

[joe_momma]

Thanks for the insight guys. We do get salted roads here during the winter sometimes, but I try to make it a point to keep the car clean after they do brine/salt the roads.

 

[AndrewNagle]

Thinking about picking up some "natural" stainless LT headers for my '06GT (like the JBAs for example). I know that stainless is rust "resistant" for a time, but how long are we talking? If there isn't that much actual resistance, I may just spring for something coated. But - you can get into a mess with coated headers too if they aren't done properly. We have stainless equipment out on the production floor that gets washed down every night with high pressure hoses and harsh sanitizers/chemicals, and it doesn't rust. Just wondering about the life of headers on a DD.

Had very good success with Jet-Hot doing my ARH LT's

 

[nasty281]

Had very good success with Jet-Hot doing my ARH LT's

how much did they charge to do yours

 

[AndrewNagle]

how much did they charge to do yours

It has been at least 4 years and I can't remember exactly but $300 is ringing a bell

 

[skwerl]

Anybody else with any experience using this stuff?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VPPIQA/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used it on my stock exhaust manifolds a few months ago inside and out and it still looks perfect, but looking for long term feedback. I'm buying some JBA stainless uncoated headers and considering picking up another can of the Eastwood spray and just spraying them myself.

 

[Rob72]

It depends on what grade that you get. 304 is what is used for the higher priced/quality headers. 409 is the cheaper grade. A cheaper quality ss will have more iron, show rust spots and respond to a magnet somewhat. Both will get discolored if uncoated due to the heat.

JBAs are 409:

http://www.americanmuscle.com/jba-longheaders-0509gt.html

I don't foresee them rusting away but if you want to know what they'll look like after a few years check out your stock pipes.

 

[beefcake]

Companies we sell like stainless works, offer a lifetime warranty on their headers. No reason to spend extra money on jet hot coating, etc..

if you only keep your cars a few years, you can always to some of the less expensive lines, stainless power, pypes, etc..

 

[nasty281]

Delete

 

[FIVE-OH]

Companies we sell like stainless works, offer a lifetime warranty on their headers. No reason to spend extra money on jet hot coating, etc..

Exactly, no point to coating stainless steel...

 

[Unreal]

If underhood temps or heat are an issue then coat them for that, but not for rust. I'm having my new ARH headers coated because I'm sick of melting stuff in the engine bay and it is freaking hot here in the summer (115+). My SS long tubes on now still look new besides the coloration after 4 years.

 

[BruceH]

Here's my experience with JBA stainless. Not LT but it's probably the same steel. They were very well made.

I ran a set of JBA stainless shorty headers for two years. They developed a patina but that's it.

Here's what they looked like when I pulled them off and sold them a few months ago. I wiped them down with 3 in 1 oil which took most of the patina off.

 

[scramblr]

That's how my Kooks look and I ran them for 7 winters in Germany. Glad I'm back in Texas because my suspension sure took a beating. All the powder coating has pealed off everything.