Stainless steal, silver ceramic, or titanium ceramic?

[nikos30]

I am looking into short tube headers because I one day want to turbo my car and I want a deeper exhaust, plus its like 10 rwhp..

So anyway, the prices between the options are $150. I dont race, but I do go on very long drives. How much will it matter if I was cheap and went with the stainless instead of either ceramics?

I want to save as much money as possible, but it is worth it, then I would get it.
Let me know what you think!

thanks c5!
Niko

[VChula]

On my 1996 SS, I had the JBA short tubes with silver ceramic coating.

The silver finish turned dull after a year or two.

I was never told that you had to occasionally apply a special polish to keep up the bright silver finish.

After leaving a rag on one of the headers, and ruining the finish, I went to JBA's ceramic coating supplier.

Upon looking at the sample finishes, I went with the titanium coating - which looks like a sand blasted stainless finish.

I was told that the titanium finish would require no special upkeep.

I have had them on since 2005 and they still look like new!

Pictures 1-3 are of the silver ceramic (after about 5 years).
Pictures 4 and 5 are of the titanium coating:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/802745...-7/#8027450049

[nikos30]

So you do think the stainless isnt worth the money compared to titanium?

[VChula]

The only thing I have to say about plain stainless steel is that it will change to a bluish brown color almost immediately.

Stainless steel is a good choice if you don't care about the changing of color.

The insulating properties of ceramic coatings do a better job of keeping under hood temperatures down.

[LimaCharlie]

You get what you pay for, therefore the best coating is titanium. If you live near the ocean or in an area that uses salt on the ground when it snows, titanium is the best choice on a daily driver.
Most header companies use 409 stainless steel. This steel grade will discolor and show surface rust over time. The 2 coatings offered (silver ceramic/titanium) will slow the discoloring and rust but titanium does the best job.
American Racing headers is the only company that offers shorty headers made in 304 stainless steel. 304 resists rust and major discoloring. They don't offer headers with silver ceramic or titanium coatings because the 304 grade steel is awesome enough.

[2010 4 DW]

Get the ceramic coated option as ceramic coating is a thermal barrier and all vehicles run much cooler if you have a ceramic option. I noticed a huge drop in under hood temps with the addition of the ceramic headers.

[Ventmaster]

Don't know if they've improved on coatings, but my JBA silver ceramics are 2yrs old and still look like they did when they came out of the box, and are better looking than the titanium IMHO.

I've never polished them, but have hit'em with a wrench a time or two with no damage.

[rock1962]

Silver ceramic

[nikos30]

So I got banned for this thread for "being in the wrong section" ......I put it in the general section because it is a general question. Whatever.

[2010 4 DW]

Silver Ceramic is the best option!