Whats a good type and a good place to get your header coated? I just want to hear everyones thoughts. I wanted to get my header dipped but the cost is somewhere around $100 and I don't know if it is really worth it. Also how about heatwrapping it, sometimes I think this looks good and sometimes not. Are the benefits worth the cost and time? What does k20a.org think?
If you are going to get your header coated, i definitely recommend Swain-Tech White Lightning Coating. It is amazing stuff. Nice and thick, and is very durable.
Using a heat wrap can trap moisture which will cause the header to rust.
The only downside of coating is that it does cost a little bit of cash to have it done. A little over $200 if am not mistaken. All depends on what you want though. If you plan on keeping the header for a while, think of it as an investment. It'll protect your header, while also reducing engine bay temps, and increasing exhaust velocity.
If you are going to get your header coated, i definitely recommend Swain-Tech White Lightning Coating. It is amazing stuff. Nice and thick, and is very durable.
Using a heat wrap can trap moisture which will cause the header to rust.
The only downside of coating is that it does cost a little bit of cash to have it done. A little over $200 if am not mistaken. All depends on what you want though. If you plan on keeping the header for a while, think of it as an investment. It'll protect your header, while also reducing engine bay temps, and increase exhaust velocity.
Also using a heat wrap if the thickness isn't the same throughout, it can cause hot spots and cause the header to crack. Coating is really the best and safest solution.
Swain-Tech White Lightning is the best coating that I have seen. They apply a .015" thick coating, which is far thicker than what you would be getting from most aftermarket header companies that are selling headers with what thay call a ceramic coating. I currently have a header being coated by Swain-Tech and should be receiving it back soon. Granted I'm not running some high output motor like most of you here. I'm just trying to increase the lifespand of the header that I'm installing along with reducing the heat in the engine bay.
A note about header wraps ....... most if not all header company will void your warranty if you have used a wrap on the header.
swaintech all the way. my last header was coated by jethott. I hooked up an EGT gauge and found that my exhaust gas temps were exceeding the maximum rating for jethotts silver coating. I only had the header for a few months and the coating seemed to be holding up fine.
Yes white is the only color, BUT it can be sprayed with ANY high-temp paint if white doesnt do it for you!
The ceramic coating did have one benefit that was not expected, no more exhaust rattle when you hit a mud puddle or drive in heavy rain!
The underhood temps were reduced tremendously, and the firewall doesnt get as hot either! In less than 5 minutes you can grab the header and not get burned at all!
Most of the so-called ceramic coatings are nothing more than a high-temp paint with ceramic particles in the paint. Swain's White Lighting is true ceramic that is bonded to the metal at a molecular level and if you need to remove it you need to use a grinder and alot of grinding discs!
smoking is bad for you too, but people still do it...
header wrap allows moisture to accumulate underneath the wrap and potentially rust out the header. Also it really depends on the quality of the wrap and how well the owner actually wrapped the header.
Another reason people use header wrap is because it is cheap and you can do it in your driveway...
Now back to coatings. I don't see how anyone could possibly rationalize spending the large amounts of money required to buy a custom header and *NOT* see the value in a good coating.
Now back to coatings. I don't see how anyone could possibly rationalize spending the large amounts of money required to buy a custom header and *NOT* see the value in a good coating.
what if u had it coated then wrapped it... hahah i just bought a bunch of header wrap but i dont want to use it now.. with all these bad things i have heard about it now. wouldnt just hightemp paint prevent the rusting?
when I wind up building a motor you can be sure alot more than just the header will be going to swains (in Rochester NY) they have coatings for IM's head, valves (int & exh) piston tops & skirts, rods :up:
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