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stainless or coated headers?

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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 02:50 PM
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Default stainless or coated headers?

do they both perform the same? i know that stainless never rusts but is it worht pay around 1000 bucks for them?
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 03:22 PM
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look simply put....do you have the money or not?....if so go with the stainless if not go with the coated
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 03:28 PM
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are the stainless that much better. how?
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by dudeman
are the stainless that much better. how?
You'll find a lot of the stainless companies have better designs and are generally built better.

Even the high end companies like ARH have master fabricators hand making each header...worth every penny.

But the bottom line is how much do u want to spend. You'll generally get what you pay for. I'd avoid anything other than stainless.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 04:33 PM
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stainless! there real good but i dont think i would put a 1g into headers alone, way to much just go with the coated headers those dont rust either
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 06:47 PM
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You get what you pay for and nothing more. You buy cheap headers, and you get to change them in the future. You buy expensive headers, and you get quality that will last from now on. If you like installing headers, buy the cheap ones, so you can do it again. Kook's ALL THE WAY.
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 01:27 AM
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get both

I love that everytime I look into my engine bay they look like brand new...

also helps keep engine bay temps down and the heat in the exhaust stream where it belongs. If I had to do it again, I'd get another stainless set and still get them coated again but a nice satin black or some other stand out color.

ceramic on stainless' only downside is the cost.
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 08:49 AM
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Ceramic coated stainless wins hands down. The metal beneath the coating will never rust, so the coating will stay looking good practically forever, plus coated stainless will hold heat in even better than coated carbon steel. No downside like said above except the price.
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 12:06 PM
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stainless all the way. before i bought my dynatechs i figured i never wanted to change them so i went stainless. i dont care who says they will never rust. i pick stainless over coated junk anyday
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 12:54 PM
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performance wise the stainless headers arent any better than the coated headers, I had coated Pacesetter long tubes on my '01 Formula, and they were great fit and finish wise but after only 6 months they were showing signs of rust on the very bottom on the primaries and the collector, and I live in Texas so I could only imagine how quick they would rust up North, On my Z28 I went with stainless headers this time, so basically if rust doesnt bother you get coated but if you want something that will not rust and last the life of the car get Stainless!
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