Just as it says in the title... Does it matter between SS and ceramic. My understanding was the ceramic does not hold up as well when not being used everyday. Is this true? Any opinions?

 

Me and my buddy both got DC headers back in like 1993. He paid a bit more for SS while I chose ceramic. His started cracking after a couple years... Mine did not. Not sure if this is the norm... I'd go with ceramic coated mild steel based on personal experience.

 

There are no opinions on this?

 

the SS should show cracks better... Besides that I dont think it really makes much difference.. Maybe the coated ones keep mroe heat in the pipe and therefor wouldnt raise the temp ofunderhood stuff enought to effect the air intake?

 

Does the SS last longer?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by VTECAcuraGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does the SS last longer?</TD></TR></TABLE>

no.

 

Actually, SS welds are harder to do well, so I would suspect that the mild steel headers would hold up a tad bit better.

I'm under the impression that SS is just for bling effect, but if you like it, go for it.

 

Word. I wasn't impressed with my old DC 4-1 but it's held up better than my friend's SS Comptech header as far as cracks and such. Nothing that would affect its ability to keep exhaust flowing in the right direction, but lots of tiny stress fractures.

 

Just to clarify this is going on a racecar so its all function over fashion! I just want to make sure I choose the right header... It thats ceremaic great I just saved 75 bucks, if not that I will by SS if someone says yes they are by far stronger and much better suited for racecars!

 

Titanium.

K

 

In my experience (with sport bike exhuasts) titanium is even worse than stainless as far as longevity goes. Cermaic coated mild steel is your best bet. It does make repairs difficult, but hopefully you wont have to find out.

 

i'm not sure DC is the right header for a race car?

 

Titanium is even more difficult to weld then SS, requiring a complete shielding gas.

 

Inconel, Titanium is not recomended for sustain heat above 1600F for long periods of time.

 

i had ceramic on my 240 which was used for quite a number of events, 0 problems.

 

I recently took a 10 year old ceramic header off to weld up a crack ( due to a broken motor mount ) and the coating inside the runners looked to still be 100% intact. Gets the from me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DB2-R81 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Inconel, Titanium is not recomended for sustain heat above 1600F for long periods of time. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Plus Inconel is easier to weld and fix when you're at a track(not that it's easy)...hell just use 20 ga stainless and save some weight.

Austin

 

For HPDE you can use anything. just save the money for better brake pads.

 

Bumping an old thread.

It sounds like the ceramic version of the DC header is the way to go. I plan on taking my car to some HPDEs soon.

 

why the hell are you bumping a thread from almost 4 years ago? no one realy cares which hedder is better. a custom, expensive one is better than whatever you buy ots anyway.......

 

First people complain about users starting new threads on topics that have been covered a bazillion times before, then people compain about people bumping old threads. It's a lose-lose situation.

Anyway...

I live in CA, so I want to be street legal and get a header w/ a CARB #. So that pretty much leaves my only choice to be DC. There are a few on ebay right now where the SS costs around the same as the ceramic one. So I'm debating about which one to get. I was pretty set on getting the ceramic one til I came across the SS one for the same price.

I just wanted to get some feedback from people who may have used both SS and ceramic, who have done HPDEs.

 

yea, starting a thread that was discusses not too long ago is dumb. but 3+ years ago? come on.
neway, like previously stated back in the day, save hedder money for entry fees and brake pads. it doesnt matter how much hp you make in hpde. i dont think too many people realy worry about ceramic coatings. but it will prolly keep your hedder looking nice longer.

 

I use a SS SMSP.

Will last longer than MS more than likely (won't rust as easily). I'm not worried about the welds seing as the brand it is. Only one SMSP has cracked on track, and that is due to a gator.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Aquafina &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I use a SS SMSP.

Will last longer than MS more than likely (won't rust as easily). I'm not worried about the welds seing as the brand it is. Only one SMSP has cracked on track, and that is due to a gator.</TD></TR></TABLE>

In practice, the best header is one that doesn't crack, radiates or convects less heat into the engine bay, and makes great power in the range you need. A insulation wrapped SS header is the best way to go for best performance in race racing events. (Do not insulation wrap a mild steel header since it will rust out in very little time).

 

Early 90's DC Sports headers are not a good comparison. At least for the imports, header design and construction has gotten a lot better over the years.

As for the bump of an old thread, I think it is warranted in this case. I just don't think the early information is all that great.