Header Coating Update

[axis]

Originally Posted by IndeedSS1

That said, my first set of headers were not coated but that was on my 72 Chevelle and that was in 78.

Damn you're old.

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by axis

Damn you're old.

You are right. I need to watch out for any suspicious conversations from my family, especially my son, that may suggest I give up my keys.

Anyway my vote is to coat

[PAUL SS]

If coating is good enough for the aerospace industry, it's good enough for me.

[Smirnoff]

Originally Posted by MarylandSpeed

When you over heat a silver header, it will normally only lose some luster, which can be restored by simply polishing the header.

I noticed that on mine.....(Jet Coated losing luster), not sure why they lose their luster & need constant polishing?

I have another set of SBC headers in a different vehicle that were silver coated in 2005 that require no polishing at all, look brand new

[nukemustang]

Interesting reading.... so if you get a car tuned should the timing be adjusted to account for coated vs. uncoated headers?? or on a computer controlled car it isnt going to be adjustable or make that much of a difference?

[MarylandSpeed]

Originally Posted by Smirnoff

I noticed that on mine.....(Jet Coated losing luster), not sure why they lose their luster & need constant polishing?

I have another set of SBC headers in a different vehicle that were silver coated in 2005 that require no polishing at all, look brand new

It's like anything polished metal..if you don't maintain it, it will not be shiney. Also, newer motors run hotter, which can slightly burn off the the very top polished layer.

[kevint]

Originally Posted by jameslk350

You asked 2 companies that make headers and do not coat headers. Then you asked 1 company that coats headers and does not make wraps for headers. I think anyone could've guessed what their answers would be. I would've interviewed the companies that make wraps and more than 1 coating company.

This. Talk to Dynatech. They make headers and offer coating options.

[axis]

Originally Posted by nukemustang

Interesting reading.... so if you get a car tuned should the timing be adjusted to account for coated vs. uncoated headers?? or on a computer controlled car it isnt going to be adjustable or make that much of a difference?

The difference would be negligible, if at all. All fuel injected cars have the ability to adjust for changes, to a point.

[Firefighter]

I'm planing on getting mine coated flat/satin black. The benefit of lower under hood temps is all the reason I need. ARH offers a coating for I think $250 on there LT's.

[Badbubba]

Originally Posted by Firefighter

I'm planing on getting mine coated flat/satin black. The benefit of lower under hood temps is all the reason I need. ARH offers a coating for I think $250 on there LT's.

You will have more radiant heat coming from a flat black header than a polished one.

[Rdphish73]

For what it's worth, I'm at Jannetty's right now and he's putting on Dynatech DuraMaxx Ceramic coated...maybe Im unreasonable, but I don't want any nearby components exposed to any more heat than needed...and surely it can't alter the performance of the headers right?

[GMTool]

Originally Posted by Rdphish73

For what it's worth, I'm at Jannetty's right now and he's putting on Dynatech DuraMaxx Ceramic coated...maybe Im unreasonable, but I don't want any nearby components exposed to any more heat than needed...and surely it can't alter the performance of the headers right?

That's right. It can only help. Is it really necessary? Maybe not for regular street driving. But who cares, just get the coating and have peace of mind knowing the quality of your upgraded exhaust. Good choice and enjoy your new sound and performance.

[Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Badbubba

You will have more radiant heat coming from a flat black header than a polished one.

How so?

As far as I know black will absorb more heat from an external source like the sun (radiant) but as far as producing heat color should be irrelevant.

Also the way I understand coatings they are designed to contain the heat and help shuttle it out of the exhaust.

Please explain your thoughts. I'm here for ideas on the subject.

Sent from my friggin Droid by two thumbs using Tapatalk 2 or whatever the ish it's called....

[Badbubba]

Just as you said. Black absorbs radiant energy well. It also emits radiant energy well. So, hot exhaust gases heat the headers. The headers being black will radiate the heat into the engine compartment. Thus raising underhood temps. The idea of ceramic coating is to insulate and contain the heat in the header pipes to maintain gas velocity and reduce engine compartment temps. You will feel more heat from a black object than a shiny one, even though they are the same temp. I didn't say touch, bc now that would be conduction. Black is more efficient at radiating energy. It's very easy to burn yourself with the polished coated header bc you can't feel the heat coming from the pipe. Next thing you know, you brush up against it and ouch you #$@&!! Did this when double checking the steering stem. The cast manifolds give off heat fairly well, especially after they oxidize. I'm not saying there is a night and day difference, but there is a difference. Hopefully you can find someone with the coated and polished headers so you can feel for yourself. If you use a point and shoot temp gun, you will need to adjust the emissivity. Most cheap temp guns don't have this adjustment. They will read dark and oxidized objects fairly well, but will display a significantly lower reading of a polished shiny surface. Bc they measure the amount of infrared energy " radiant energy" coming from an object to calculate the surface temp. Emissivity is the correction factor that must be applied. A black body has an emissivity of 1, the polished silver coated surface is probably .25.