Header Coatings

[PKs]

@PKs
First thing to ask are you going with 304 SS or 409 SS headers ?
304 SS doesn’t need any thermal protective coatings.
409 SS with its higher iron will iron oxidize and will have a heat loss close to mild steel exhaust components.

The Titan coating mentioned isn’t an actual coating it’s cut wire blasted 304 Stainless Steel.
Keep in mind once the headers are coated the ability to repair any cracked welds becomes nearly impossible and 304 SS headers will develop cracks at some point.
The Cut Wire Blasted finish is by far the best option vs raw mill finish for 304 SS exhaust components, 409 SS is a whole different story.

Post #11 sums it all up
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/exhaust-flex-joints.186389/

Thanks. I am choosing to go with Australian manufacturer Pacemaker who use the 409 stainless. They come with a 5 year warranty and I will be getting some form of ceramic coating.

Sponsored

 

[PKs]

For me. I got LTH long tube headers and wanted to reduce the under hood heat as well created by the headers. I looked into the Ceramic coating company's (They are not all created equal to say the least) but realized in my days of racing, Wrapping reduced the heat from the headers substantially more than a ceramic coating. But it does look cool.
** I wrapped my LTH with DEI Titanium wrap (which was a Bitxxh to do) and steel banded for security. After the wrap was broke in (will be smoky for a bit) I can touch my LTH with the engine running and not get burnt. Even though I didn't have to high temp spray paint the titanium wrap, I did anyway silver. Good Luck

Thanks. I think that I prefer to ceramic coat them. The brand header that I am going with voids their warranty if wrapped. And anyhow wrapping would be very difficult for my gnarly hands.

 

[DougS550]

Thanks. I think that I prefer to ceramic coat them. The brand header that I am going with voids their warranty if wrapped. And anyhow wrapping would be very difficult for my gnarly hands.

Not going to lie, it was hard and itchy to say the least. Post your pics when done

 

[PKs]

I have now done this on two cars, each time with Cerakote Glacier coating. The attached image is their Titanium color. It makes a DRAMATIC difference in underhood temps. Within a couple minutes of shutting the engine off, you can touch the headers with your bare hands.

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating/C-7900/cerakote-glacier-titanium

I have now done this on two cars, each time with Cerakote Glacier coating. The attached image is their Titanium color. It makes a DRAMATIC difference in underhood temps. Within a couple minutes of shutting the engine off, you can touch the headers with your bare hands.

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating/C-7900/cerakote-glacier-titanium

Nice. How visible under the hood are they, bearing in mind that I don't do the engine cover.

 

[SheepDog]

Nice. How visible under the hood are they, bearing in mind that I don't do the engine cover.

The engine cover doesn't obscure the view to the headers. You can see them, especially on the drivers side if you peer down in there

 

[GregO]

Thanks. I am choosing to go with Australian manufacturer Pacemaker who use the 409 stainless. They come with a 5 year warranty and I will be getting some form of ceramic coating.

There you go, 409 is a prime candidate for ceramic coating. You won’t really see much of the headers once installed. Several in my circle of gearhead friends have the best luck with the Black Ceramic, that goes for Two Stroke expansion chambers to custom built step tube drag headers unless built with 321 or 304 stainless tube.

 

[PKs]

The engine cover doesn't obscure the view to the headers. You can see them, especially on the drivers side if you peer down in there

Great to hear. Thankyou. Even though the black (or blue) Turbo X reportably gives the best heat protection I may hunt down an alternative coating that also has the look at me visual appeal.

 

[GregO]

Great to hear. Thankyou. Even though the black (or blue) Turbo X reportably gives the best heat protection I may hunt down an alternative coating that also has the look at me visual appeal.

Just be sure to use a coating that isn’t porous. I’ve seen the original polished silver ceramic coating develop iron oxidation within the ceramic matrix.
Choose wisely or it all turns into a waste of time and money.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/pacemaker-header-install-notes.74269/

 

[tuf50L]

Great to hear. Thankyou. Even though the black (or blue) Turbo X reportably gives the best heat protection I may hunt down an alternative coating that also has the look at me visual appeal.

Have you considered the equal length stepped Ramjets?
And who are you getting to fit them in QLD?

 

[PKs]

Have you considered the equal length stepped Ramjets?
And who are you getting to fit them in QLD?

No, I had forgotton about the Ramjets which when I first read about seems good. Going with Exhaust innovations, Capalaba Brisbane on the recommendation of @Valiant.
As you probably know the Ramjets are 304 stainless with a polished finish. Would seem a shame to coat them but under bonnet heat reduction would be nice. Decisions, decisions.

 

[PKs]

I can’t help you on your specific question, but my exhaust is done in Tech Line CermaKrome :

Although more expensive, I think if I was you and I was looking at manifolds, I would consider :

https://zircotec.com/products/coatings/thermohold/performance-white/

I have seen the white done on turbo exhaust manifolds and in reality, it has a slightly creamy coloured look to it i.e. it might go with your accent colours quite well ...

WD

I got a reply from the Australian office for Zircotec and due to the lack of a commercial market here they can't justify the setup costs. They did say that I could freight to UK and back. That would really make the coating expensive.

 

[Timbuck]

hi peter.

just take your headers to these guys.

https://goldcoast2pacpainting.com.au/high-temperature-ceramic-coatings/


I’ve got a mate in Brisbane with a 750hp twin turbo set up done in cercoat. I could believe how good it is to be honest. We went for a 30 mins drive , with quite a few boosted pulls Etc.
and 5 mins after we finished…I opened the bonnet and I was expecting temps like the sun.
very very surprised when I could touch the turbo’s with out melting your finger off.
first time I’ve seen this product and 100% will be doing my build in it.
his was done in Sydney ( where the car was built) multiple years ago and I think 60K kms on the build now and it still looks new.
It pretty tight where the down pipes go and it doesn’t melt the plastic engine Covers.… so that’s gives you an idea of how well it works.

cheers
tim

 

[PKs]

hi peter.

just take your headers to these guys.

https://goldcoast2pacpainting.com.au/high-temperature-ceramic-coatings/


I’ve got a mate in Brisbane with a 750hp twin turbo set up done in cercoat. I could believe how good it is to be honest. We went for a 30 mins drive , with quite a few boosted pulls Etc.
and 5 mins after we finished…I opened the bonnet and I was expecting temps like the sun.
very very surprised when I could touch the turbo’s with out melting your finger off.
first time I’ve seen this product and 100% will be doing my build in it.
his was done in Sydney ( where the car was built) multiple years ago and I think 60K kms on the build now and it still looks new.
It pretty tight where the down pipes go and it doesn’t melt the plastic engine Covers.… so that’s gives you an idea of how well it works.

cheers
tim

Thanks Tim. Good call. Just spoke to Matt at GC2pac and I will be dropping by his shop later this week to talk more and see examples. Good price and only 15 mins away from home.

 

[TexasMetallic5.0]

I had some previous that had Cerakote applied. They kept a lot of heat inside them. After a few mins you could bump the header and not burn yourself. I have a couple scars from header burns. Used the wrap before, it works good, but if oil gets on it, you have a fireball under the hood. Found that out the hard way.

 

[OzS550]

I had my Pacemaker headers coated by Ceramic Coat Australia (next door to Pacemaker).

For visual appeal I avoided the 'chrome' look as it's dark down in the engine bay and the chrome disappears. Instead I had Dale use a silver and I think it looks terrific.

Sponsored