Y2K2LS1

I am planning on getting these and dont know that much about metals. Will stainless steel discolor when it goes thru many heat cyles?

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Depends on the alloy, some stainless will turn blue/purple around the header flanges....and eventually they headers will turn a dull grey color. They don't stay pretty for very long, but the look better than old rusty steel ones.

Y2K2LS1

Than what is the advantage of stainless steel over cheap steel coated?

Screamin_Z

iTrader: (2)

rust, coated headers will eventually rust. if u get stainless (a high grade steel) then u'll be fine. yes they might turn some colors but that's fine, it's just color. u'll never have a header stay a BEAUTFUL "coated" or stainless color if u drive it, heat, waether, chemicals, ect will effect them. for the money QTP headers are the best IMO, better than getting coated.

FDLS6

iTrader: (4)

Also, keep in mind, most stainless headers are in the "mill spec" finish... they are not polished, rather a brownish dull color. You would have to polish them to get a shine, then, you would eventually see some dulling... With a jet hot or ceramic coating either on mild steel or stainless, it will be a "blurry" shiny, not quite like a polished metal, but bright. When it gets some heat, especially within 8 inches or so of the exhaust ports, it will turn a dull grey..
Bryan <img border="0" alt="[burn out]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_burnout.gif" />

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

I like the bluish purple color that they turn <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />
BTW: I saw in some dirt bike mail order catalog where the had this bottle of liquid that you could coat your head pipe with and it would prevent the whole heat cycle discoloration.