Is coating headers worth it? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Hoosier1LE · 03-29-2018, 07:41 PM

I have a set of ARH 1 7/8" headers that I am going to put on. Debating if it is worth spending the $300 that it would cost to get the ceramic coating done?A local shop could do it for me in flat black to keep with the colors of the car. Is this a good investment? Or save money for other mods? Please give pros or cons of argument. Thanks in advance for any help.

Bo White · 03-29-2018, 08:14 PM

Yes. I was amazed that I could grab a header tube within a few minutes of cutting the engine off after driving.

Ashen 6.2 · 03-29-2018, 08:36 PM

I agree with Bo. They cool off quick and they don’t fade or change colors as much as painted ones do.

Pro-tuned · 03-29-2018, 10:56 PM

Yes, helps reduce engine bay temps.

Tyestick · 03-30-2018, 04:15 AM

Worth getting them coated? Absolutely! Just make sure it’s a reputable company that’s doing the coating so it doesn’t flake or chip.

I don’t understand why more people don’t get ceramic coated headers...

We’re talking about 900+ degrees ‘non-coated’ vs -300 degree on coated, with substantial cool down after engine shut off.

Do people even think about what happens to all the other components under the hood when exposed to such extreme temperatures for any amount of time?

Get them coated.

zz430camaro · 03-30-2018, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyestick

Worth getting them coated? Absolutely! Just make sure it’s a reputable company that’s doing the coating so it doesn’t flake or chip.

I don’t understand why more people don’t get ceramic coated headers...

We’re talking about 900+ degrees ‘non-coated’ vs -300 degree on coated, with substantial cool down after engine shut off.

Do people even think about what happens to all the other components under the hood when exposed to such extreme temperatures for any amount of time?

Get them coated.

I honestly think most people buy them and think "they are stainless steel and don't need to be coated" so screw it. In the muscle car world, lots of headers are just painted, so getting them coated was to make sure they looked good and did not rust. I dont think there is a down side unless it starts coming off the headers, hopefully its done right and that does not happen.

GRNFLSH · 03-30-2018, 06:01 AM

I agree with the crowd, I’m amazed at how well it reduces engine bay heat from the headers. Extra benefit is that mine still look great after 2 years of driving.

xc_SS/RS · 03-30-2018, 07:49 AM

also agree that it is worth it and you should clarify that the shop doing the work will be able to coat the insides as well

Reichler · 03-30-2018, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyestick

Do people even think about what happens to all the other components under the hood when exposed to such extreme temperatures for any amount of time?

Get them coated.

Temps aren't any different with stock cast iron manifolds, so that point is moot.

I've coated headers on my 05 GTO, and raw 304 stainless ones on my 04 GTO and Camaro. Yeah, the under hood temps are lower on my coated headers, but I'm not racing these cars where under hood temps mean anything. I also love the look of heat cycled 304 stainless.

At the end of the day, a coated header will always be better though.

Hoosier1LE · 04-01-2018, 10:53 AM

Thanks for the help. I am calling the local shop on Monday to see if they coat the inside as well. Didn't know that they did inside as well.

03-29-2018, 07:41 PM	#1
Hoosier1LE Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portage,In Posts: 103 View My Garage	Is coating headers worth it? I have a set of ARH 1 7/8" headers that I am going to put on. Debating if it is worth spending the $300 that it would cost to get the ceramic coating done?A local shop could do it for me in flat black to keep with the colors of the car. Is this a good investment? Or save money for other mods? Please give pros or cons of argument. Thanks in advance for any help.

03-29-2018, 08:14 PM	#2
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,021	Yes. I was amazed that I could grab a header tube within a few minutes of cutting the engine off after driving. __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

03-29-2018, 08:36 PM	#3
Ashen 6.2 Drives: 2014 Camaro Z/SS Join Date: May 2014 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,032 View My Garage	I agree with Bo. They cool off quick and they don’t fade or change colors as much as painted ones do. __________________ 2014 Camaro SS L99, Ashen Grey w/Black Leather - Build thread - http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491561 Mods - GPI 416 w/Custom Grind Cam, Ported Heads & Tuned by Ben, Holley Dominator ECU, Mag Heartbeat, ZL1 Fuel Pump & DSX Aux Pump, NW 103 TB, FIC 1650's, Alky Meth, Circle D 3600 Triple Disc, Kooks Headers, Viking Coil Overs & all the BMR Goodies in the rear, Zl1 3.23 Diff, DSS Axles, Gulfcoast Driveshaft, Hendrix Offset Diff Bushings, AFE Solid Subframe Bushings, 875HP/843TQ 5FDP

03-30-2018, 06:01 AM	#7
GRNFLSH Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS Green Flash Edition Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 200	I agree with the crowd, I’m amazed at how well it reduces engine bay heat from the headers. Extra benefit is that mine still look great after 2 years of driving. __________________ Kooks stepped headers & Solo XL Cat-back ADM CAI w/race scoop & Rotofab w/w relo GPI VVT SS1 cam and CNC ported heads milled .30 BTR .660 springs, Straub solid bushing trunions GPI rod-mod intake with I-M heat sheild Circle D 258mm Pro single disc 3700 rpm stall converter 169F thermostat & manual fan switch Tuned by Ryno at GPI - 455 RWHP / 416 lb-ft

03-30-2018, 07:49 AM	#8
xc_SS/RS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: somewhere in MD Posts: 4,883	also agree that it is worth it and you should clarify that the shop doing the work will be able to coat the insides as well __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Z/28 intake, NW, FAST 102, speed engineering LT's, some exhaust, ATI -10% pulley, GM flex fuel injectors, DSX flex fuel sensor, MGW shifter, HP Tuners, some suspension work, stickers and a little weight loss. 12.63 @113.53

03-29-2018, 10:56 PM	#4
Pro-tuned Angewendet Ingenieur Drives: 14 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Posts: 401	Yes, helps reduce engine bay temps.

03-30-2018, 04:15 AM	#5
Tyestick Drives: 19’ Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 309	Worth getting them coated? Absolutely! Just make sure it’s a reputable company that’s doing the coating so it doesn’t flake or chip. I don’t understand why more people don’t get ceramic coated headers... We’re talking about 900+ degrees ‘non-coated’ vs -300 degree on coated, with substantial cool down after engine shut off. Do people even think about what happens to all the other components under the hood when exposed to such extreme temperatures for any amount of time? Get them coated.

04-01-2018, 10:53 AM	#10
Hoosier1LE Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portage,In Posts: 103 View My Garage	Thanks for the help. I am calling the local shop on Monday to see if they coat the inside as well. Didn't know that they did inside as well.