What are the differences in chrome and ceramic coated headers? Are the ceramic coatings applied to aid in durability, rust prevention, heat retention, or just to keep the headers looking good as time goes on? I was going to purchase a set of coated headers but waited too long and now the only thing available for immediate purchase is the chrome set. Depending on the differences between the two I may just purchase the chrome set now.

Thanks for all your input guys,
Jason

 

The biggest positive for ceramic headers is keeping temperatures under the hood down some. The coating is also a nominal anti-rust protection, but it will flake off eventually and the headers will still rust.

I've honestly never heard of chromed headers...are you sure they're not stainless?

 

I've seen a handful of chrome headers on some street rods and mainly motorcycles around here...all of them were discolored - the closer the tube was to the exhaust port, the more discolored it was. The ceramic coating on my Kooks headers hasn't changed color since day one, and is why I'll always choose ceramic coating over chrome for headers.

 

They are BBK headers. The two options are ceramic coated or chrome. I can't say 100% for sure the headers are chrome just going by the website. Maybe someone that has them can chime in a clarify for me?

Thanks Jason

 

Yeah, I've seen chrome exhaust bits on a couple trailer-queen show cars, but never seen anything advertised for LS1 f-bodies as chrome. My stainless Kooks have discolored a bit, but I expected that with stainless (and it makes them look neat, too ).

BBK is listing theirs as "chrome finish", but since it's significantly cheaper than the ceramic-coated version ($120 less), I'm wondering if it's not just polished mild steel.

I'd honestly prefer the ceramic over the uncoated headers...any reason you're not considering other header options, or do you really want to stick with the BBKs? TSP's stainless 1 7/8" headers are due in decently soon (I think around the middle of this month) for the same price as the BBK coated setup.

 

chrome headers look sweet but i havent seen them in a long time.



yes, KOOKS do look cool when they discolor but mine have held up great. i prefer stainless for durability.

 

the bbk's are chrome and will discolor. just go ceramic coated, the bbk ceramics are a great deal

 

not to still the thread but, wat about powder coated headers? my buddy can do either ceramic or powder coated but i wondered if the powder coat would hold up to the heat for extended periods of time?

 

Honestly I've been thinking about the BBK based price and the positive feedback I've seen people post on here. I was able to get the BBK ceramic for $400 while the "chrome" was ~$300. Now I can't seem to find the 1 7/8" stainless TSP headers on their site. Only headers I found were 16 gauge carbon steel ceramic coated for $499 with no y pipe ($130 option). I liked BBK because it came with the y pipe. I'm not gonna be cheap but I just bought a d-1sc and I really don't want to pay $1300 for headers and a y pipe. Even the TSP combo would be $700 not bad but still twice as much as the BBK.

Thanks jason

 

from what I under stand and have experinced the ceramic headers will disepate heat faster .try changing or checking plugs on a chrome header after a round of racing with NOS.

 

I just bought the bbk chrome headers and they look good out of the box but waiting to install them. What i have seen by searching around they are a great fit and provide good ground clearance also the chrome will change color but will not rust like other budget headers that are ceramic coated. Again is what i saw in a couple of threads just search it but i guess i will find out for myself soon

 

Get the Pacesetters+y-pipe from TSP if you are looking to stay cheap, but I would save for the stainless TSP headers if I were you. Cheap chrome headers are going to look horrible after a little use, unless you are only worried about power I wouldn't get them.

 

Unless it's a show car, or soon will be, or you keep everthing under the hood spotless year round...why worry so much about the look of your headers? You can hardly see them. They only look good when their not on---in the box...

 

I'm not so much worried about the looks as much as the durability and function of the headers. Though I dont want these things to rust. If anyone has these headers in the "chrome" finish please tell me your opinion of them.

Thanks Jason

 

Stainless Steal and worry free!

 

If you plan on keeping the car a while go stainless steel. Mild steel headers will rust out. Chrome headers will turn blue once you get them hot enough.