Lifespan of Ceramic Coated headers
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola, Fl
Lifespan of Ceramic Coated headers I am planning on buying some BBK ceramic coated shorties for my car. I know they make little power, I know long tubes are better, but that is not what I am asking. I am not a power junky, and am not looking for big gains. My questions is what is the life expectancy for ceramic coated headers, before rust sets in? How long is the coating good for? Will it turn colors over time? I live in Florida and daily drive my car so no salted roads down here. I am also wondering if since the shorties sit up higher in the engine bay are they likely to last longer than long tubes under the same condition?
LS1Tech Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 1,529
From: Ohio, Georgia, Nevada, Texas
The coating's appearance and durability can vary due to environmental conditions and maintenance. We see that you are in Florida so road salt will not be a factor, but ocean air could slightly shorten the lifespan. Car Chemistry ceramic header polish will extend the coatings life beyond BBK ceramic coated headers standard one year warranty.
I didn't know that there is a ceramic header polish.
At first, there were a few rust-like spots near the bottom. I believe they were flaws in the coating.
Three years later, there is no change in the coating/ no discoloration, no rust.
I do not drive in wet or salty conditions.
At first, there were a few rust-like spots near the bottom. I believe they were flaws in the coating.
Three years later, there is no change in the coating/ no discoloration, no rust.
I do not drive in wet or salty conditions.
With the being shorties they should last a while with the coating. The main thing that can damage a coating causing it to chip is road debris. But seeing as how the shorties are pretty much all in the engine bay, there is little chance for that. With the coating in tact, they should last a very long time in Florida even with the humidity and salt air. But once the coating flakes off in spots it will start developing surface rust.
My coated LTs lasted a few years before I sold them off (and have another year or so in them) being daily driven in salt and snow in the northeast. The only reason they were going bad was because they prolly hit a rock on the bottom and the coating got chipped. The collector of the headers was rusty, but the primaries in the engine bay right off the head were 100% fine even after years of salt and snow.
My coated LTs lasted a few years before I sold them off (and have another year or so in them) being daily driven in salt and snow in the northeast. The only reason they were going bad was because they prolly hit a rock on the bottom and the coating got chipped. The collector of the headers was rusty, but the primaries in the engine bay right off the head were 100% fine even after years of salt and snow.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo LS1Tech Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 1,529
From: Ohio, Georgia, Nevada, Texas
What header length and type of applications - Year, Make, Model, Engine, and Transmission type is everyone looking for? I will do some research and see if I can find some available stainless options.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola, Fl
I have been looking quite a lot lately. I would really prefer stainless, but the cheapest I can find stainless shorties for are some JBA's online for $675. BBK ceramic coated shorties are only $399. All others are much more. I could get some TSP Stainless Long Tubes with Stainless Y pipe for about $550, but then they are a little more difficult to install, many recommend changing to Poly motor mounts with them, and I often hear people complaining of either the Y pipe hanging too low or banging on the bottom of the floor pan. I would also have to have the rear O2's tuned out. If I go with the shorties, I will get a little RWHP since I have the 98 style manifolds, but, I don't have to worry about clearance issues, changing motor mounts, y pipe issues, tuning out any sensors, buying any extensions, and they will look better than the stock iron manifolds. The only drawback to shorties I have found is leaving HP on the table, but I am fine with that. I don't race my car, but maybe a trip to the track every couple of years.
My Grot's have been on the car since 2001 and I think they looked fine when I took them off to get re-coated. The car has low miles and has never been driven in the rain/snow.
Here's a link to my coated headers thread.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ders-pics.html
Here's a link to my coated headers thread.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ders-pics.html
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola, Fl
Wow! Does your car get driven on rainy days? Is it your DD? Any pics of them, just so I can see how they have worn over all this time? Mainly concerned about the top area near the manifold.
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Quick question: I am looking into the black painted pacesetter longtubes for budget purposes, and I am fully aware that the paint will be gone in a week. Is there anything that can be done that would help make them look better/keep the gas velocity up? Such as a super high temp paint/finish for them?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola, Fl
Quick question: I am looking into the black painted pacesetter longtubes for budget purposes, and I am fully aware that the paint will be gone in a week. Is there anything that can be done that would help make them look better/keep the gas velocity up? Such as a super high temp paint/finish for them?
It hasn't been a daily driver since about 2003. I have driven it in the rain over that period, no snow since the headers went on. It was parked outdoors for a couple of years. I don't have any pics. In the engine bay they have lost some of the shine, and there are a few small pitts in the coating. Under the car is the only place where they are getting bad. Overall, pretty good for 9+ years.
Quick question: I am looking into the black painted pacesetter longtubes for budget purposes, and I am fully aware that the paint will be gone in a week. Is there anything that can be done that would help make them look better/keep the gas velocity up? Such as a super high temp paint/finish for them?
I've had my Pacesetter coated headers for probably 4 years now. I drove the car through everything, snow, rain, sleet, ice, whatever. The collectors and the primaries under the car have no coating left and are rust. Up by the manifolds still look almost new.
I have ebay stainless headers that I bought used. I will never buy another header again unless its stainless. They initially discolor a bit, but other than that they stay really nice.
