Headers, to coat or not to coat

Headers, to coat or not to coat, that is the question.
I am planning on a new set of headers for a sbc. It is not a show car it is just that the old headers are wasted after almost 20 years. It seems that ceramic coating is a big selling point but if you look in to it there are all sorts of manufacturers disclaimers regarding heat cycles and damage to the finish. I am inclined to put the new painted headers on, let the paint burn off and just leave them alone. The difference in cost is about 4 to 1 and I am wondering if it is worth the cost and effort for the fancy headers. Even painting them myself seems to be a lot of time/labor invested and are the results and longevity worth it?

 

no question YES

 

Yes definitely get coated, preferably 14ga tube with a minimum 3/8 flange

 

Stainless is even better if you can get them.

 

Well worth it in my opinion.

 

Small Block Chevy Headers, aren't those like 60-80$? What does a ceramic coating cost?

 

For a SBC there should be a ton of headers to pick from. Just get a set with a real coating(not paint) right from the factory. Because of their volume of sales a set of coated SBC headers won't be that much more than a non-coated set. Anything is better than paint no matter their restrictions/warnings.

I remember the old school alumi-coat headers were pretty long lived but I can't remember who's they were. Maybe Doug's?

 

CERA-KOTE or JET-HOT... only way to go... Although I'd go stainless if possible and enjoy a little bit-o-blue at the flange. At least the finish isnt coming off! ws

 

Are you coating both the inside and outside?

 

Yes, I have both and the coated just look better and are lasting longer.

 

Not a very good picture but these headers were coated in 2006 and look as good today.

 

My TA stage 2 headers waiting patiently for me to get the engine together and stuffed.
Performachrome, ceramic coated.

 

Fit them first. If they don’t fit you may need to take the hammer too them and that would ruin your nice finish. Been there.

 

If you like rust and crappy looking stuff under the hood, leave them alone. Coated will look new many years down the road.

 

Took these off my 72GS455 when I got the car, and then had them ceramic coating. These header were in really rusty condition when I took them off in 2013 and the still look the same when I got them coated.

 

I wrap my headers. Nothing works better for getting heat out of the engine compartment. Don't care about looks or claims it rots your headers (have not seen that) the stuff flat out works.

 

I had the old headers wrapped and they lasted a long time, they just look like hell and I figured I oughta replace them. Even if I do opt for coated headers, I am going to install the old ones first, run the car for a week or two and then MAYBE upgrade to a new set. With all of the disclaimers on the ceramic coated headers, I'd hate to ruin a new set.

 

I bought Mickey Thompson Scavenger coated. Sanded Put VHT orange header paint. Will it burn off?

 

I need to know!

 

Yea its gonna come off, I blasted a set, used the VHT epoxy, followed by the VHT white paint looked like crap in a few hours