Headers
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Granite City, IL
Well any set of headers you get should have a ceramic coating. The coating does basically two things 1. Protects the metal itself 2. Keeps the heat out of the engine bay. Stainless steel headers don't necessarily need a coating for the metal to last but it will keep under hood temps in check. Regular steel headers require a coating unless you want them to rust out very soon. Although even with a coating mild steel headers wont last the lifetime of the car.
Mild steel header that are not coated will last about 10 years without being taking care of, a bit less if you live an area where salt is put on the roads. If you remove, strip clean, and repaint the headers they will almost last indefinetily, they need to be repainted every 3-5 years. Stainless header will never corrode away and will not need the removal for repainting. Coating the headers can lower underhood temps, most ceramic coating today are only rated to 1000° and will discolor when they get above that temp.
