not sure if this has been disscussed...but i'm sure it has. i just didn't really find anything on it when i searched

but, what's your guys views on header materail?

what do you like, why do you like it, and what makes it better?

 

I Like the ceramic stuff.
I "heard" its better for heat reduction? is that true? I dont know.
But I like the look of a flat but not dull/grody silver look under my hood.
I think I would use SS now since it keeps a better look over time but if you can make something that is more of a ceramic color that doesnt chip/fade/peel after time that would be pretty sweet.

 

Is this in reference to the new IM manifolds?

 

nah, just wanted to start an intelligent converstion...

and it's about exhaust manifolds instead of intake.

but, hell...we can talk about anything

 

Well my reference to chipping/fade/peel has to do with the exhaust manifolds.
I wish they wouldnt do that but what can you do besides buy a ss.

 

What can you tell me about the materail and the coating? I would like to know more on this.

 

what material and coating?

 

Any would be good. I am clueless on this topic.

 

as am I, i think?

 

I like stainless on the header.."for the ricer in me"..........and after that titanium "for the geek in me".

 

Ceremic header, wrapped with ThermoTec exhaust wraps, i dont care how it looks

 

To answer the original question...

Steel -
Better heat transfer +
Needs coating to prevent rust -

Stainless
Looks good and doesn't need any coating to prevent rust +
Has a higher expansion and contraction under temperature changes and can cause broken welds -
Cost -

Basically its up to you, stainless looks nice but is expensive, steel is better for performance, but has to be coated.


Coatings -
A cermaic coating is best because it keeps the heat in and doesn't heat up the engine bay.
A high temp powder coat like we offer is also good because it holds some heat in, but mainly offers a good solid coating that won't burn or come off like paint.
Header wrap is always another good option on top of the coatings above, but won't prevent rust. It can hold moisture in, so I wouldn't recommend wrapping a header that was painted. Make sure its coated (ceramic or powder).

 

what kind of shop would offer ceramic coating services for headers? A powdercoat shop?

 

would that best bang for the buck be a steel header (non-stainless) w/ some type of coating on it? (like jet-hot, hpc, or swaintech?)

 

i say wrap a stainless manifold. stainless is stronger and for the offroader in us will not dent as easily or crack as easy as a mild steel header.

i took out a saturn with the front of my accord and bashed in my greddy header, just twisted it, no dents or cracks. but the jdm dc on the civic is cracked all to **** and has 1/4 the miles on it

 

I got an SS header from DC adn it now looks worse than a ceramic header due to highway miles/road mist.

So if you plan on buying an SS header and you live in an area where they salt the roads, just dont do it. It ate the hell outta the metal on mine.

My brother lives here in PA too, same header, but doesnt do any highway driving and his is still golden shiney. Take from it what you want but it was a waste of my money, it just looks like nice smooth rust now.