I just got my DC Stainless 4/2/1 header today.... It will be coupled to my Type-R Exhaust.

I plan on racing the GSR.... Should I get the header ceramic coated before installing it on the 'teg?

I need some feedback please... What have Y'all done?

TIA!

 

Are you wanting to ceramic coat the header for heat reduction purposes?

 

Yes, that's the only reason that I know of to coat them...

Are there other benefits?

 

There really isn't any point to coating a stainless header. If you're that concerned with under hood heat, I'd just wrap the header, just don't expect the manufacturer to offer any warranty on the header if it is wrapped.

 

Why would I want to wrap a header? It keeps in the condensation which shortens the life of the header?

I'm looking for a long-term investment....

 

Why didn't you just buy the DC ceramic coated header in the first place?

 

It's stainless steel ... it's not going to rust, it's not going to corrode... heat is the only thing that is going to weaken it via cracking... wrapping is more effective than coatings also.

I personally wouldn't worry about messing with a stainless header if you want long life.

 

All metals will eventually rust. Its just a matter of when...

 

I Jet-Hotted my JDM 4-1 header this summer. I did it mostly because it was not SS or ceramic coated, and wanted to ensure a long life for the steel beast on my car. Jet Hot gives a life time gaurantee against rusting, chipping, flaking, etc. if they get the piece in new or nearly new condition. I opted for the Jet Hot 2000 finish flat black. It looks great on the car 'cause it matches the black anodizing on the GSR valve cover. All told, it cost me $180 which included the shipping. I'm glad it did it.


[Modified by Neo, 10:27 AM 1/24/2002]

 

SS will crack, tarnish and fall to pieces, but rust it will not; not even the welds if a high quality rod/wire was used.

 

I beg to differ, but all I rely on to argue is something I vaugely remember hearing once....

As I am not a metalergist (sp??)

EDIT- I found some stuff...

Stainless steel is susceptible to "under deposit corrosion" which occurs if the surface is partially coated with debris, epecially steel.

I guess I am wrong. The right grade will never rust!

Thanks

 

I'm not a big one to argue either, but I've seen some caraaaaazy stuff, especially working as a marine engine mechanic for a little over a year. I once saw an aluminum outdrive fall to pieces after it was painted with copper bottom paint [saltwater environment, turned it into a battery ], but I have yet to see stainless steel anything "fail" by anything other than shear force or the usual heating/cooling cycle that can overstress just about any alloy given enough time. I'm not a metallurgist either, but I dabble in just about everything that is remotely performance related

 

The price I got the S/S for was just as good as the price for the ceramic...

 

But now you're going to pay more to coat the SS header???

Give me a call, I have some things I need to sell.

 

I coated my Comptech header, mostly because I've had headers Jet-Hot coated before and noticed quite a heat reduction. It cured the vapor lock on my MG. Besides, the Comptech's flange isn't stainless, and I didn't want it to rust.

 

MG eh? what carb[s] were you getting vapor lock with out of curiosity. SS braided fuel lines have cured the problem many times on the cars we see.

Harry Leach
-employed by Tidewater MG Center, Newport News, VA when not in college.

 

'74 Midget with the stock HS2's. Only happened a couple of times, once in stop & go traffic, and once when the D.C. club was doing the Middleburg Christmas parade. Only drive the Midget a couple of thousand miles a year, so the coating was as much to keep the header from rusting out as anything else, but it did seem to cool things down a bit.

Now the throwout bearing is starting to go, and I'm trying to get up the energy to yank the motor for a clutch rebuild. I keep thinking this might be a good time to do one of those Datsun 5-speed swaps, and maybe freshen up the engine a bit. We'll see when I do my taxes and find out if I'm getting a refund.

 

We haven't done any datsun conversions, but then again, we have a surplus of OEM trannies to ravage if needed, and they really don't have bad gearing. Have fun with the clutch it's about a $600 job at Tidewater MG, but that includes cost of the clutch, we only use quinton hazel, cheap clutches aren't worth it. If you have a lift and another person or two that know what they're doing you can get it turned around in about 3 1/2 hours Of coures it takes longer if you freshen up the engine, lol.

 

I wrapped my SS DC header 3 years ago and it is just fine. It did reduce the underhood temperatures significantly. I do not have numbers to back this up, but I do have touch test. I wrapped it originally because at that time I was running a non cold air intake. After two autocross runs, the intake pipe was so hot I could not touch it. After I wrapped the header, the intake pipe was warm, but I could touch it no problem. It was a significant difference.

Now, did it make any real performance gains...None that you can feel. If you are looking for performance gains, this is next to nill. If you are looking to make it last longer...it is SS it is not going to have problems for a LONG time. If you are looking of looks...that is somethihng else. It is up to you. I would not coat a SS header in Jet hot myself.