Stock heat shield vs Ceramic coated?
 

Sorry if this is a noob question, I'm planning on getting the JDL UEL catted headers and was wondering if I should go ahead and get the thermal coating along with it. Seems like the majority of posts I've read all say yes, but is the thermal coating on par, better, or slightly worse at reducing temps when comparing it to the stock heat shield?

The stock heat shield will not fit on your aftermarket header. Your options are leave it naked, ceramic coat it, or use a heat wrap.

Get the ceramic coating.

Sorry I should have worded my question better :bonk:, I'm aware that the stock heat shield will not fit over any aftermarket headers. Lets say hypothetically you could fit the stock heat shield onto aftermarket headers, my question is which would be more efficient at reducing engine bay temps, ceramic coating or the heat shield?

I would venture to say that the stock heat shield on the stock exhaust manifold is more efficient in keeping the heat out of the engine compartment, than a ceramic coating on an aftermarket header.

Now, I have no data ..... just a hunch.


humfrz

That said, a catless header should run colder than the factory catted one. Catalysts are hot.

True ....... but the OP mentioned he was going to install a catted header ..... :)


humfrz

I wonder this very same thing but am afraid to dig out my heat transfer book. Which was the higher priority? I don't think the bellows can be ceramic coated and I also am guessing the ceramic coating is cheaper than a complex assembly.

The bellows is a must for longevity.

No matter what system, the heat has to go somewhere. Maybe the OEM heat shield is more of a heat management sytem. Which heat transfer mode is the most significant? Is it radiated, or convective?

so many questions...

I have a set of UEL headers that I'm going to have ceramic coated. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

That was my assumption as well, but was curious to see what others would say.

Will be running a catted UEL header :D

Only if you drop it on your foot.

Or if I drop it on my face when I'm installing it lol.

The struggle is real. :cheers:

Oh, bring it out ...... :D

See, I'm thinking that if you were comparing a heat shielded vs. a ceramic coated header and you were to put your finger in the heat shield ...... it would get less burnt than if you put your finger on a ceramic coated heater .......:iono:

I suggest that @Ultramaroon fire up his machine, let it run for 10 minutes then touch and hold for 1 second, the underside of the heat shielded manifold with his right hand's index finger. Now, we need a volunteer, with a ceramic coated header, to do the same at about the same place on the header.

Please report you findings on a pain scale from 1-10 and supply pictures.

Meanwhile, I've had my sausage, grits and eggs and I'm off to take a nap.


humfrz

-___-

I assume the oem heat shield is the most effective because that method has been the industry standard for a long time. Not as long as you've been driving, of course. I've seen how they did it back in your day. Museums and stuff. ;)