Ceramic coating headers worth it ?

[randeez stable]

I have a new set of stainless steel headers. im thinking about getting them ceramic coated. I guess what Im asking is, is it worth getting them coated from a performance/ heat reduction point of view ?
Also , I have the choice of black, cast iron, and silver color. Any advantage to one color as opposed to another ?
Also Ive read that ceramic coating headers can cause cats to get excessively hot and maybe get damaged from coating flaking off . Any truth to that ?

 

[skwerl]

Can't really say one way or another, but I've used the Eastwood exhaust coating spray on mine. It's designed for coating the inside but I had plenty to coat mine inside and out.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VPPIQA/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[rayS197]

While doing some inspections at a local business that does all types of coatings, I asked the owner that question. He stated it really doesnt make that big of a difference and would spend his money on other things.

 

[fdjizm]

IMO it's for keeping the headers looking decent, my headers were gold purple and blue after like 3 days, they are not even noticeable in the engine bay anymore they are so dark.

Now if I had them ceramic coated they would still look pretty nice.

 

[JeremyH]

I have a new set of stainless steel headers. im thinking about getting them ceramic coated. I guess what Im asking is, is it worth getting them coated from a performance/ heat reduction point of view ?
Also , I have the choice of black, cast iron, and silver color. Any advantage to one color as opposed to another ?
Also Ive read that ceramic coating headers can cause cats to get excessively hot and maybe get damaged from coating flaking off . Any truth to that ?

I think it's worth it, but everyone has a different opinion. I like that it keeps more heat in and out of the bay and it helps with the turbo. I wouldn't do it just for looks though. A nice stainless header will hold up well without coating. Color doesn't matter, just preference and why do you have cats on the car anyway? lol

 

[randeez stable]

I think it's worth it, but everyone has a different opinion. I like that it keeps more heat in and out of the bay and it helps with the turbo. I wouldn't do it just for looks though. A nice stainless header will hold up well without coating. Color doesn't matter, just preference and why do you have cats on the car anyway? lol

I have cats because I have to pass emissions testing. ( visual and OBD II inspection)Once the car is tuned, I have to leave it that way as it is supercharged and I cant swap pipes in and out without worrying about screwing up my tune.

 

[JeremyH]

I have to pass that stuff too, doesn't mean I have cats on my car. lol
Be careful running boost with them...

 

[weather man]

The only header coating that really keeps the heat in the header is swaintech. But, you better like white, although you can color coat over the swaintech.

 

[fdjizm]

99 problems but emissions aint one, you don't "know a guy" everyone knows a guy.

 

[JeremyH]

99 problems but emissions aint one, you don't "know a guy" everyone knows a guy.

This man knows whats up.

 

[randeez stable]

I have to pass that stuff too, doesn't mean I have cats on my car. lol
Be careful running boost with them...

I am aware that.My tuner told me that with the limited amount of driving my car actually sees, I needent worry about running cats.
I have less than 4000 miles on the car, in over 3 years. lol.

So how do you pass emissions, without cats ?

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

My headers have been on my car for months now with no coating at all on them and they look as new as the day I bought them.

 

[randeez stable]

My headers have been on my car for months now with no coating at all on them and they look as new as the day I bought them.

I don't care about looks. My concern is will ceramic coating reduce under hood temps. Even with 304 SS headers.

 

[fdjizm]

My headers have been on my car for months now with no coating at all on them and they look as new as the day I bought them.

No shit, the engine doesn't run.

 

[Dubstep Shep]

I am aware that.My tuner told me that with the limited amount of driving my car actually sees, I needent worry about running cats.
I have less than 4000 miles on the car, in over 3 years. lol.

So how do you pass emissions, without cats ?

Honestly it depends on what state you live in. There's a bit of variation on how they test. Some just do visual, some do OBDII, and then some actually hook up a pipe to your exhaust and test what comes out.

 

[retfr8flyr]

My headers have been on my car for months now with no coating at all on them and they look as new as the day I bought them.

Shit always looks when it never leaves the garage!!


Earl

 

[Greg Hazlett]

Hard to get them a different color when all you do is push the bitch around!

 

[randeez stable]

Honestly it depends on what state you live in. There's a bit of variation on how they test. Some just do visual, some do OBDII, and then some actually hook up a pipe to your exhaust and test what comes out.

Where I am, they do a visual inspection and then plug into the OBD II system.

But back to my question. Regarding a new pair of 304 ss headers. Is ceramic coating going to reduce underhood temperatures enough to warrant the cost ? And are all coatings alike ?

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

No shit, the engine doesn't run.

Shit always looks when it never leaves the garage!!


Earl

Hard to get them a different color when all you do is push the bitch around!

To the OP, ceramic coat and then use header wrap. That should do the trick to keep the heat down.

 

[Dubstep Shep]

Where I am, they do a visual inspection and then plug into the OBD II system.

But back to my question. Regarding a new pair of 304 ss headers. Is ceramic coating going to reduce underhood temperatures enough to warrant the cost ? And are all coatings alike ?

Then really all you need is a cored out set of cats and a good tuner.

There's a lot of debate about ceramic coating. In almost all circumstances, it's going to reduce underhood temps. To what degree depends on the ceramic coating itself and your individual setup. No one can here can really give you a yay or nay on it. It is going to help? Yes. Is it going to be worth it vs other mods? I can't say.

That said, personally I love ceramic coating. I had my Yamaha YZF-R6 headers coated and wrapped, and you could brush up against them without getting burned. No joke.