My headers are rusting!!! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Montducati · 03-28-2012, 07:45 AM

I've had my 2012 45th SS for about 2 weeks now, only has a little over 400 miles. I popped the hood last night and to my surprise the headers are rusting!!!

Is this normal for such a new car, is there anything I can do to prevent the rusting?

hunt · 03-28-2012, 07:50 AM

Yes it's normal for the stock headers to rust.. replace them with some 304 SS headers and they won't rust

justa25thTA · 03-28-2012, 07:55 AM

its just surface rust on steel, no big deal. take a look at your brake rotors first thing in the morning, and especially if it sits in the rain for any period of time.

Tyler360 · 03-28-2012, 07:58 AM

*manifolds
And yeah, they get too hot for any type of paint so its just bare metal. Rusting is completely normal.

Montducati · 03-28-2012, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justa25thTA

its just surface rust on steel, no big deal. take a look at your brake rotors first thing in the morning, and especially if it sits in the rain for any period of time.

Brake rotors are different as the rust wears away the minute you start driving.

Montducati · 03-28-2012, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler360

*manifolds
And yeah, they get too hot for any type of paint so its just bare metal. Rusting is completely normal.

I've replaced manifolds and installed headers, the OEM on the Camaro look like headers IMO, either way it's disturbing to see rust on a new car.

I owned a Chevy Scottsdale pickup many years ago. The manifold rusted so severely it cracked completely through, this was a truck that was kept immaculate including the engine compartment. That's when I replaced the manifold with headers.

There are ceramic and enamel coatings that can withstand the heat of exhaust.

SSOOCH · 03-28-2012, 08:32 AM

Your stock headers are defective. Take that thing back to the dealer and demand a full refund!

(j/k Dude. You're fine. Like others have said, it's surface rust. If you don't like it install aftermarket stainless headers)

newagemuscle · 03-28-2012, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montducati

I've had my 2012 45th SS for about 2 weeks now, only has a little over 400 miles. I popped the hood last night and to my surprise the headers are rusting!!!

Is this normal for such a new car, is there anything I can do to prevent the rusting?

Very normal. Condensation alone will cause them to rust because they are just raw metal. I have about 4000 miles on my car now and purchased it at the end of 2009. I have never wet the engine once or been in rain and when I took mine off for the header install it had surface rust starting all over.

Montducati · 03-28-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

Your stock headers are defective. Take that thing back to the dealer and demand a full refund!

(j/k Dude. You're fine. Like others have said, it's surface rust. If you don't like it install aftermarket stainless headers)

Just got off the phone with the dealer, he's taking the SS back today and replacing it with a ZL1 for no extra cost.

ZED SLED · 03-28-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montducati

Just got off the phone with the dealer, he's taking the SS back today and replacing it with a ZL1 for no extra cost.

LOL, easy for him to promise something that can't be delivered.

Jason 98 TA · 03-28-2012, 11:21 AM

Checkout some TSP 1 7/8" stainless headers. They won't rust on ya!!

SSOOCH · 03-28-2012, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montducati

Just got off the phone with the dealer, he's taking the SS back today and replacing it with a ZL1 for no extra cost.

YOU DA MAN!!!

E.T. · 03-28-2012, 01:39 PM

Good to know. I noticed the same thing on mine and was like, WTH, it's brand new.

fourmz · 03-28-2012, 03:21 PM

Getting a ZL1 with minimal hassle is great but... those manifolds will probably rust just as bad just as quick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montducati

Just got off the phone with the dealer, he's taking the SS back today and replacing it with a ZL1 for no extra cost.

03-28-2012, 07:45 AM	#1
Montducati Drives: 45th Edition SS, Ducati Diavel, 996 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 239	My headers are rusting!!! I've had my 2012 45th SS for about 2 weeks now, only has a little over 400 miles. I popped the hood last night and to my surprise the headers are rusting!!! Is this normal for such a new car, is there anything I can do to prevent the rusting? __________________ 2012 45th Edition SS LS3 Hurst equipped Bowtie!! What Bowtie??

03-28-2012, 07:50 AM	#2
hunt Drives: 10 SS 08 675 13 Stryker 10 S1000RR Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lincoln, CA Posts: 216	Yes it's normal for the stock headers to rust.. replace them with some 304 SS headers and they won't rust __________________ Never put up with something high maintenance, unless it's high performance.

03-28-2012, 07:55 AM	#3
justa25thTA Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,630	its just surface rust on steel, no big deal. take a look at your brake rotors first thing in the morning, and especially if it sits in the rain for any period of time. __________________ Yeah, I'll get around to it...

03-28-2012, 08:32 AM	#7
SSOOCH Camaro SL,UTs Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS #16429 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 7,358 View My Garage	Your stock headers are defective. Take that thing back to the dealer and demand a full refund! (j/k Dude. You're fine. Like others have said, it's surface rust. If you don't like it install aftermarket stainless headers) __________________

03-28-2012, 01:39 PM	#13
E.T. Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,267	Good to know. I noticed the same thing on mine and was like, WTH, it's brand new. __________________

03-28-2012, 07:58 AM	#4
Tyler360 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wittenberg, Wisconsin Posts: 701 View My Garage	*manifolds And yeah, they get too hot for any type of paint so its just bare metal. Rusting is completely normal.

03-28-2012, 11:21 AM	#11
Jason 98 TA Drives: Camaro Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,669	Checkout some TSP 1 7/8" stainless headers. They won't rust on ya!!

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