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Best ceramic coating for headers?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by nathandarby67, Feb 20, 2013.

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  1. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #1 nathandarby67, Feb 20, 2013
    I am looking at a few different options for 355 headers, and am leaning towards buying a set "bare" and then having them coated. Is there any consensus on which company or product is the best? I am not too picky on what color it is, I want to go with what is most durable and what does the best job insulating the heat. I have read good things about both Jet Hot and Swain Tech coatings. Is there much difference in cost or performance between the two? Also, what kind of turnaround times have people experienced when getting headers coated?
     
  2. JCR

    JCR F1 World Champ
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    #2 JCR, Feb 20, 2013
    Go with the plasma sprayed zirconia. Swain does it here in the US. Zircotec and Poeton in the UK. The other stuff is ceramic paint. More show than go.

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDazh7f1Q_o&lr=1&gl=GB]Zircotec Performance White Ceramic Exhaust Manifold Coating Process - YouTube[/ame]
     
  3. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #3 nathandarby67, Feb 20, 2013
    I was just reading up on Zircotec. Apparently it is available in the US now. Supposedly they are used by some of the F1 teams.
     
  4. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

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    #4 Steve King, Feb 20, 2013
    Does this do inside coating as well?
     
  5. Lotus241

    Lotus241 Karting
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    #5 Lotus241, Feb 20, 2013
    For whats it worth I used Swain on my Lotus Esprit V8 exhaust manifolds and turbo housings. It has held up to the heat amazingly with only just now slowly turning a yellowish white in a few high heat areas. Heat reduction in the engine bay is amazing.
     
  6. 350HPMondial

    350HPMondial F1 Veteran
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    #6 350HPMondial, Feb 20, 2013
    Jet Hot Coatings
    Fresno, CA

    They did mine, CERMACHROME,,,,,,,
    inside and out.
    Shipping is pretty cheap for 308 headers are awfully small.
    smile....

    Edwardo
     
  7. Lotus241

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    #7 Lotus241, Feb 20, 2013
    Swain I know can and will....I did not have mine done on the inside as it was for a turbo engine.
     
  8. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #8 nathandarby67, Feb 20, 2013
    Just talked to Swain, the girl I spoke with said they only coat the outside of headers with the "white lightning" ceramic coating, as they are unable to get the spray equipment inside of the tubes. Said the product is designed to be effective with only coating the outside. Also, my personal thought is that it would not be ideal to have a rough, textured finish like Swain Tech inside the tubes as the rough surface would likely impede the gas flow. Estimate was $350 for the set and about 3 weeks turnaround.
     
  9. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

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    #9 Steve King, Feb 20, 2013
    Do they clean up the welds and do any weld repairs before they coat or just coat what you send.
     
  10. 350HPMondial

    350HPMondial F1 Veteran
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    #10 350HPMondial, Feb 20, 2013
    Steve,

    I don 't know if they weld,,,, but, they probable know someone local. It's Fresno.... lots of farmers and good weld shops.
    I had mine welded and a cracked tube replaced by a local HotRod shop..... The injection ports were welded shut and smoothed,, the test ports are still there,, they are the bigger connections with plugs,, and accessible from under the car. These were not touched and left in for the entire process.

    Jet Hot will then burn out your headers and sand blast them prior to coating.

    Edwardo
     
  11. M.James

    M.James F1 Rookie

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    #11 M.James, Feb 20, 2013
    There's a good reason to coat the inside of the tube - you're preventing heat from dissipating when you jacket the pipe on the outside. The exhaust gasses can structurally weaken the tube material over time - see also 355 headers. Coating the insides of the tube prevents the heat from weakening the tube walls.
     
  12. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #12 nathandarby67, Feb 20, 2013
    Understood. But what companies do this? If you watch video of the plasma spray Zircotec process for example, there does not seem there would be a way to get the large spray gun inside a small, curved header tube. Zircotec is used by many F1 and other race teams, so I have to assume the performance is there. Although, in that world longevity and durability are not as much of a concern, whereas I want my 355 headers to last longer than one race weekend! :)

    Has anyone had their headers ceramic coated on JUST the outside by Zircotec, Swain, or other company? How are they holding up?
     
  13. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    #13 fastradio, Feb 20, 2013
    Swain did my 365bb headers over 10 years ago...They still look great.
     
  14. chris marsh

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    #14 chris marsh, Feb 20, 2013
    Jet Hot did my headers and muffler on my 308. People think they are chrome they held up very well. the headers got a little dull right by the engine block but I would highly recommend.
     
  15. FasterIsBetter

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    #15 FasterIsBetter, Feb 20, 2013
    Ditto. What he said! I did the headers on my 308 with JetHot, chrome, and they were great. Held up really well, looked sharp, and definitely reduced heat in the engine compartment. The headers needed welding in a few spots, and the additional cost from JetHot was minimal. I too would highly recommend them.

    p.s. I did the exhaust manifolds on my Jaguar XKE with JetHot, and they have held up extremely well also.
     
  16. Jagbuff

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    #16 Jagbuff, Feb 20, 2013
    I did Swain coating on the headers of my 360CS, after 2 years still look good. The net heat reduction is somewhat overstated - maybe at initial start up - but after a long run it equilibrates to similar temps (sport cats are a significant heat source) . So I wouldn't do it just for the heat management but corrosion and looks make it worth the extra $$.
     
  17. Turbopanzer

    Turbopanzer F1 World Champ

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    #17 Turbopanzer, Feb 20, 2013
    Swain will do pretty much whatever you want. Just bring your checkbook. They do all my race stuff for years. Good work and they keep right on the delivery track time.
     

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