Ceramic Coating Stainless / Underhood temps question

[vroomapunk]

I ordered stainless power LT 1 7/8" headers, that do not have the option to get ceramic coating.

I have a local shop thats about an hour and a half from my house that will sand blast and coat them for $275.


I understand that stainless doesnt NEED the coating, but it will make them stay looking better and reduce engine temps, so here is my question.


Is it worth it? Im never going FI or doing anything more serious than a tune after the headers, so is there a real point to reducing the temps under the hood?

Is it a dramatic difference in heat?

The downside: It will cost me $275, plus 6 hours total of driving to drop them off and pick them up. It will also mean, I have to wait two more weeks to install, instead of doing them in a couple days when they get here. I only sort of care how they look, as they arent all that visible. But if the lowering the heat is an important factor, I will probably do it.

I have plug wire insulators to protect the wires, btw.

Thanks everyone!!

[ForgedReality]

Do it. Even better if you have a selection of finishes. I got mine done in satin black because I wanted it to look sexy as well as be functional.

[vroomapunk]

Originally Posted by ForgedReality

Do it. Even better if you have a selection of finishes. I got mine done in satin black because I wanted it to look sexy as well as be functional.

Thanks for the input.

I usually lean one way or the other on things, but im totally 50%/50% on this. But I guess I dont really have any negatives about it, besides me not wanting to drive that much, and I want to put them on this week.

[The Blue Ox]

It might keep the temps down a little but nothing drastic! If you care about looks, then Do It!! I have coated LT's and I wouldn't have em any other way!

[Apex Motorsports]

It looks great and they cool off quickly, that is about the sum of it. Whether that is worth it is a question only you can answer.

[MightymouseSS]

I got my sp lts coated. I was back and forth on it too cuz I had to wait a few extra days to get them installed. But I figured if I put them on and they start looking unappealing to me after awhile might as well do it before I install them. As for temps they still get hot as hell but I noticed compared to other cars that it cool down a little bit quicker.

[Bell040]

I would put that $275 into a tune or a CAI

[ForgedReality]

Originally Posted by Bell040

I would put that $275 into a tune or a CAI

Why not that AND ceramic headers? It's not that much money really.

[vroomapunk]

Originally Posted by The Blue Ox

It might keep the temps down a little but nothing drastic! If you care about looks, then Do It!! I have coated LT's and I wouldn't have em any other way!

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

It looks great and they cool off quickly, that is about the sum of it. Whether that is worth it is a question only you can answer.

That makes sense, may not greatly reduce the running ambient temperature, but it dissapates heat fast once the engine is off.

Originally Posted by MightymouseSS

I got my sp lts coated. I was back and forth on it too cuz I had to wait a few extra days to get them installed. But I figured if I put them on and they start looking unappealing to me after awhile might as well do it before I install them. As for temps they still get hot as hell but I noticed compared to other cars that it cool down a little bit quicker.

Originally Posted by Bell040

I would put that $275 into a tune or a CAI

Good suggestion. I already have a CAI, racing scoop, axleback, range AFM disabler, etc. And im not ready for a tune yet (keeping the warranty for a little while)

Originally Posted by ForgedReality

Why not that AND ceramic headers? It's not that much money really.

Yeah, the money is not a huge deal.

Thanks for the input

[LeanPocket]

for the avid racer whos always checking plugs and messing with stuff under the hood, hell yeah its worth it!

but for a daily driver I wouldnt even bother.

I had my old pacesetter headers jet hot coated first thing, and it was so much easier to change my plugs, and troubleshoot random kinks since they cooled down so quick.

[VADER SS L99]

Only thing I can tell you about mine is that its keeps the headers looking brand new. Underhood heat is the same as stock or maybe a little cooler. No idea what temps people are seeing without the coating. If I had it to do over again I would definitly get the coating just because of how great it looks. If this was a 4th gen, DOHC Mustang or something like that I would say its well worth it because of space but with this car thats not an issue so you probably want to base the decision on looks rather than underhood temps..

[DrkPhx]

I just installed Kooks LT with the black ceramic coating and it definitely helps with the under hood temps. I was really impressed with how fast they cool down.

[GhOsT_2SS]

True bare stainless isn't going to rust or corrode, I just think ceramic coated just makes the install a finished completed product. Maybe some pics will help, I think I waited about 4 weeks before I had mine coated. I bought them used but had low mileage on them and the stainless had discolored, blued in placed, browned in others.

Fresh and just back from getting ceramic coated.


About 5000 miles after install and still looking good

[Badbubba]

Got mine coated at jet hot. They coat the inside and out. Most local shops only coat the outside. Also, the local shop may not be able to do the polished finish, just a satin black, gray or white. The polished finish helps reduce under hood temps by reducing the amount of radiant heat from the primary tubes. The ceramic coating insulates. It's a win/win. Great looks and helps with temp & flow. Downside $$. Jet hot is lifetime, local shops around here offer a 2 yr warranty.

Also, if plan on adding a wide band, get a bung welded into each collector before getting coated.

If you get them coated and you have a slip joint over the collector, use a flapper wheel to remove the coating. If not, it may be struggle to get on. I struggled. Or notify whoever does it not to coat "x" inches at the end of the collector.