Just how BADLY will non coated/non stainless headers rust? headers
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Considering a set of non coated/non stainless steel headers (Pacesetters/Flowtech etc.) and was just wondering if anyone had any experience with these and their tendency to rust quickly.
I was planning on spraying them with multiple coats of high temp primer and Rustoleum before installing them although I'm sure much of it will burn off in a matter of miles. And of course the insides will be bare metal and could rust badly as well.
My car gets driven less than 2000 miles a year and is garaged full time.
Will they still rust so badly so quickly that they will become virtually useless in a year?
Will the inside of the headers corrode just as quickly (or quicker) as the exposed outsides?
I'm looking at a $270.00 pair of headers versus some $800.00+ stainless steel ones and unless there is like a 10hp+ gain/difference between the two (I'm sure there isn't) I'm having a hard time justifying the cost difference.
Coated headers are out of the question because they're at least $100.00+ more (I'd sooner just step up to the plate and get stainless then) and they still rust.
Anyone?
I was planning on spraying them with multiple coats of high temp primer and Rustoleum before installing them although I'm sure much of it will burn off in a matter of miles. And of course the insides will be bare metal and could rust badly as well.
My car gets driven less than 2000 miles a year and is garaged full time.
Will they still rust so badly so quickly that they will become virtually useless in a year?
Will the inside of the headers corrode just as quickly (or quicker) as the exposed outsides?
I'm looking at a $270.00 pair of headers versus some $800.00+ stainless steel ones and unless there is like a 10hp+ gain/difference between the two (I'm sure there isn't) I'm having a hard time justifying the cost difference.
Coated headers are out of the question because they're at least $100.00+ more (I'd sooner just step up to the plate and get stainless then) and they still rust.
Anyone?
Last edited by LS1LT1; 01-24-2004 at 12:05 AM.
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
My car gets driven less than 2000 miles a year and is garaged full time......Coated headers are out of the question because they're at least $100.00+ more (I'd sooner just step up to the plate and get stainless then) and they still rust.
And as far as the coating, so long as it's a good quality coating, it does not rust if the car never sees any bad weather. Maybe after 20 years or so. I've had coated headers on cars that did not see rain or snow, and other than the coating turning a dullish white/sliver, they never deteriorated any further even after years of being used.
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Thanks guys.
Yes I figured that, but I'm assuming at the prices they're charging for them the Pacesetters and Flowtechs aren't going to have great quality coating jobs on them.
Even the Hookers/Jet Hots have rusted prematurely, badly rusted in some cases.
Originally Posted by RPM WS6
And as far as the coating, so long as it's a good quality coating, it does not rust if the car never sees any bad weather.
Even the Hookers/Jet Hots have rusted prematurely, badly rusted in some cases.
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Originally Posted by Damian
I ran non-coated Macs for 2 yrs and they didn't have a bit of rust on them when I pulled them off....
But Macs are a thicker steel/thicker tubing I think if that means anything.
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Well, the un-coated headers on my 91 Mustang, installed in 91, while rusted still perform great. This car has never seen the inside of a garage, it remains outdoor in the Texas weather (no snow and salt helps).
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
I've seen some other Macs that have held up as well, the ones with Mac's own coating (not the greatest coating) hold up even better possibly.
But Macs are a thicker steel/thicker tubing I think if that means anything.
But Macs are a thicker steel/thicker tubing I think if that means anything.
My Bassanis are a nice thick 14 gauge, which is a big part of the reason I bought them (14 gauge, high quality ceramic coating, and never any exposure to rain/snow/salt means they should last me a life time).
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well it's not over yet but my coated pacesetters are holding up perfectly since about september. my car, unfortunately is my only one so they have been wet, covered in salt and the like. i had the car up on a lift 2 days ago and theyre stil bright silver.
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Originally Posted by RPM WS6
Macs are 16 gauge I beleive. Hookers are 18 (thin). I think all mild steel LS1 headers are between 14-18 gauge, with most being 16.
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Originally Posted by DeepBlueZ
well it's not over yet but my coated pacesetters are holding up perfectly since about september. my car, unfortunately is my only one so they have been wet, covered in salt and the like. i had the car up on a lift 2 days ago and theyre stil bright silver.
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I've got the non ceramic coated mac's and they have rusted pretty bad. They've only been installed about a year and the car hasnt seen ANY bad weather. In fact it was in storage for 6 months of that time while I was overseas. I may have got a bad set or something but either way I'm swapping to a set of Jet Hots soon.
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marc ya know you couldve asked me
id say definitly spring for the coated...ive already started to see some minor surface rust on my collectors, but keep in mind i drive my car everyday even in this crappy weather we're having so it sees a ton of salt day in and day out.
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When I bought my MAC's I stripped of the stock coating and sprayed on some Eastwood Hi-Temp header coating. It works remarkably well with no rust; the key is to prep the surface properly and use light coats (no need to cake it on).
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Originally Posted by foff667
marc ya know you couldve asked me ![Happy](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_stretch.gif)
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Originally Posted by Tally TransAm
my 2.5 year old noncoated macs have no rust on them
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Originally Posted by BLKTA
When I bought my MAC's I stripped of the stock coating and sprayed on some Eastwood Hi-Temp header coating. It works remarkably well with no rust; the key is to prep the surface properly and use light coats (no need to cake it on).
Any chance of finding something similar at Home Depot or Walmart that would work?
Thanks.
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
Yes, I get the impression that the Pacesetters (and the new Flowtechs) are of a thinner gauge than the Macs and most other LS1 headers out there but that's ok, they'll be lighter.
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
I know, but you have the coated ones which I know will show some rust...I'm more curious about the bare metal ones. ![Happy](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_stretch.gif)
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lata
Bill