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Topic: Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/

in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems


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Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (1/11)
 9/12/10 8:55pm
rlu1968
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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

I am wanting to reduce the engine compartment heat.
Is the Ceramic headers any better than the regular  headers except for the cost. Does the ceramic, or Coated really reduce the heat that much over the cheaper brand.
I have a 20 year old Headman  headers the cheaper version  Part number 68300 . I could fry an egg on the headers or even cook a good Texas ribeye.
what is the best headers to go with for heat control??????????


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Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (2/11)
 9/12/10 10:34pm
yostusota
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York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top


Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

Headers are a PITA..you never know which ones to go with it depends on this and that and blah blah blah..I love them though and usually go with a steel kind and use header wrap..I put it on before I install them and get the wrap soaked in water for a while before also..it makes the wrap go on easier and shrinks on the tubes once I run them for a while..the only downfall with doing this is they can rust from the inside...so then the ceramic coat prevents rust..helps with a little heat..not as much as the wrap though..it depends if you do alot of short trips or not..or if you run it hard enough in the short trips to get the headers hot..you still can't leave a finger on them after you wrap them for to long but it really cuts down on the heat!! and you don't leave a piece of your finger stuck on the header!!  Look for a header with thick flanges for the head..it's worth the extra money so you don't get the leaks like with the thinner ones..ARP bolts don't hurt either..
Rich


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Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (3/11)
 9/13/10 9:22am
lukesvetteLifetime Member
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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

I agree with Rich. Headers are headers and they all run hotter than exhaust manifolds. The coatings do mor for appearance than heat barriers and the most effective way to cool them down is by wrapping them. That being said, most folks spend the extra money  for ceramic headers because of the looks...I don't think too maky folks wrap headers with high end finishes...
 
My engine compartment gets hot but not hot enough to cause vapor lock in the fuel system...I like my Hedman ceramic headers!!
lukesvette2010-09-13 06:23:22
Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (4/11)
 9/13/10 9:47am
Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

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1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

Ceramic coatings are more for rust proofing and appearance than for heat reduction.  If you want heat reduction you need to have them coated with Jet Hot or a similar process.  Stainless won't reduce heat either...they're for longer life, but stainless can discolor and is expensive.  Plain painted headers will rust and look terrible in pretty quick order, though they do the same thing functionally.

If you use thermal wrap, most, if not all, header manufacturers say that voids the warranty as they say it promotes rust.  

I agree completely with buying headers with the thickest flanges you can find.  It makes for far less problems with leakage and adds to their service life.
Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (5/11)
 9/13/10 11:24am
VetteSpecialties
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Mounds View, MN - USA

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70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe


Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031

I did some quick research.  Jet Hot is just their brand name for ceramic coating.  Any ceramic coating will make a small difference in underhood heat, but not enough to notice.  Stock manifolds or Sanderson headers will be coolest, followed closely by wrapping headers.  Installing headers usually changes the air/fuel ratio of an engine, which can also increase underhood heat.  It is important to tune with a wide band A/F meter after installing headers or making any other engine changes.

Larry
Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (6/11)
 9/13/10 11:30am
rlu1968
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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

I wraped my Hedmans many years ago and it worked very well for about two years. Then the wrap started looking bad and when I took off the wrap the pipe outlayer had rusted and sheets of rust were coming off the headers.
I will not use that again.
That is why they will not warranty the headers if they are wrappped. 
Thanks to all for the information.


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Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (7/11)
 9/13/10 11:37am
rlu1968
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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

I will check on Sandersons and I didn't know tuning would be necessary.
THANKS
Richard


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Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (8/11)
 9/13/10 11:41am
T-Mans70,73Lifetime Member
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Elma, WA - USA

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Red 1973 Convertible. L-48 Auto #'s matching Red 1970 LT-1 Convertible #'s matching


Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 692

My Sanderson Headers have formed leaks twice now. The 1st time less than a year on the car. They said "send them down on your dime, we will take a look at them and send them back."
I am like how long will that take? "A couple weeks" they say.

So had it welded here and skipped the "warranty".
Now the other one leaks where the flanges all go together.

Not being one to bad mouth a company ever in the past, this time I will tell ya the Sanderson headers I got sucked and the dealings I had with them regarding the sucky headers sucked.
Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (9/11)
 9/13/10 12:34pm
yostusota
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York, PA - USA

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1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top


Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

That's why I said headers are a PITA..I just got used to buying the cheapest ones I could find and replace them every couple of years..at least I got rid of the heat..and that's the idea..coatings are great and look pretty if that's what you want..but they really won't help under hood heat. tuning the carb also adds to the fun..dyno time if you want to get it right at least for that day..
Rich


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Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (10/11)
 9/13/10 8:34pm
rod7515Lifetime Member
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Red Lion, PA - USA

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1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic


Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 1182

I have headman ceramic headers and they very hot. They fit great and were very easy to put on. I bought them because the flanges are the ball and socket type. So far they have held there finish and there is  nothing like the sound of headers!
Rodney


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Headers/Ceramic/Coated/Stainless/ (11/11)
 11/1/10 12:01pm
mengelstad
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hull, IA - USA

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1974 coupe


Joined: 10/11/2010
Posts: 15

I run stainless headers with a good quality header wrap and that has drastically reduced my undr hood temps. just my 2 cents.
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