Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - ACE vs. OEM Header

Hawk77FT · 03-20-2016, 08:24 PM

I have owned few headers so far, and all of them have been ceramic coated. Recently, I have installed an un coated header and was blown away by the temperature difference between coated and un coated (same header). I cannot recommend the ceramic coating strongly enough, tbh. Whoever does it for you, make sure they do 1. true ceramic coating, 2. do the inside of it as well!

Ceramic vs wrap -
Wrap is probably a cheaper alternative and probably as effective. Things to consider: use titanium wrap, no need for a sealant. Make sure you sue proper metal straps (or alternatively steel wire).
Ceramic - this can only be done by a professional (not a DIY). Make sure you ask for the inside to be done as well.
If I was to chose between them two, I would go ceramic coating mainly because it protects the inside and the outside of the header.

Some info I found online
Ceramic Coated Exhaust Parts
This is a spray-on finish that’s infused with heat-insulating ceramics. It is not a DIY solution, these exhaust parts are coated at the factory, or sent to a facility with the proper equipment.
Pros
•Provides the biggest horsepower gains when compared to other exhaust insulation methods
•Reduces under-hood temperatures better than other types of exhaust insulation
•The ceramic coating is applied evenly on both the inside and outside of the exhaust pipes, preventing “hot spots” that can cause metal fatigue
•Improves the laminar flow of your exhaust gasses
•Prevents rust and corrosion of the ceramic coated parts
•Looks great—some coatings resemble chrome plating
Ceramic Coated Headers

Cons
•High-quality, ceramic coated exhaust parts are more expensive
•Manufacturers use a special process to apply the coating. While the coating is durable, the part will have to be sent back to them for repair if you manage to chip it
•Coatings may dull in appearance over time

Header & Exhaust Wraps

Exhaust Wrap
This is a fiberglass or composite fabric that wraps around, and insulates, exhaust system components. It is a DIY solution that can be added to nearly any exhaust part, stock or aftermarket.
Pros
•Adds a few extra horsepower when used on stock or performance pipes
•Reduces under hood temps, prolonging the life of fragile engine parts and hoses
•Easy to install and more affordable than buying ceramic coated parts
•Custom wrap anything you want
Header & Exhaust Wrap

Cons
•Only insulates the outside of exhaust parts
•Exhaust wraps may absorb moisture from the road and cause rusting if your tubes aren’t made from stainless steel

Ceramic & wrap.
I have done a fair bit of research on this and it looks like this is a no no. The main purpose of ceramic coating retaining the heat within the exhaust gas instead of transferring it through the piping of the vehicle which will result in an increase in power. This occurs because the exhaust gases stay hotter longer which allows them to leave the vehicle at higher velocities. Ceramic coating will do that without a problem. The wrap to a ceramic coated header would do more damage than good, I believe. The temperatures in the actual header will be even higher and the scavenging effect slightly better however, not giving any room for heat to dissipate could reach the 304 steel temperature threshold which could cause greater expanding and potentially cracks. I am talking here about the ones that take the car to the track on regular basis.
Knowing that this header moves a fair amount of hot exhaust gases it might not be an issue and I could be wrong.

03-20-2016, 08:24 PM	#16
Hawk77FT Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: GTS 86 Location: Australia Posts: 989 Thanks: 873 Thanked 476 Times in 272 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I have owned few headers so far, and all of them have been ceramic coated. Recently, I have installed an un coated header and was blown away by the temperature difference between coated and un coated (same header). I cannot recommend the ceramic coating strongly enough, tbh. Whoever does it for you, make sure they do 1. true ceramic coating, 2. do the inside of it as well! Ceramic vs wrap - Wrap is probably a cheaper alternative and probably as effective. Things to consider: use titanium wrap, no need for a sealant. Make sure you sue proper metal straps (or alternatively steel wire). Ceramic - this can only be done by a professional (not a DIY). Make sure you ask for the inside to be done as well. If I was to chose between them two, I would go ceramic coating mainly because it protects the inside and the outside of the header. Some info I found online Ceramic Coated Exhaust Parts This is a spray-on finish that’s infused with heat-insulating ceramics. It is not a DIY solution, these exhaust parts are coated at the factory, or sent to a facility with the proper equipment. Pros •Provides the biggest horsepower gains when compared to other exhaust insulation methods •Reduces under-hood temperatures better than other types of exhaust insulation •The ceramic coating is applied evenly on both the inside and outside of the exhaust pipes, preventing “hot spots” that can cause metal fatigue •Improves the laminar flow of your exhaust gasses •Prevents rust and corrosion of the ceramic coated parts •Looks great—some coatings resemble chrome plating Ceramic Coated Headers Cons •High-quality, ceramic coated exhaust parts are more expensive •Manufacturers use a special process to apply the coating. While the coating is durable, the part will have to be sent back to them for repair if you manage to chip it •Coatings may dull in appearance over time Header & Exhaust Wraps Exhaust Wrap This is a fiberglass or composite fabric that wraps around, and insulates, exhaust system components. It is a DIY solution that can be added to nearly any exhaust part, stock or aftermarket. Pros •Adds a few extra horsepower when used on stock or performance pipes •Reduces under hood temps, prolonging the life of fragile engine parts and hoses •Easy to install and more affordable than buying ceramic coated parts •Custom wrap anything you want Header & Exhaust Wrap Cons •Only insulates the outside of exhaust parts •Exhaust wraps may absorb moisture from the road and cause rusting if your tubes aren’t made from stainless steel Ceramic & wrap. I have done a fair bit of research on this and it looks like this is a no no. The main purpose of ceramic coating retaining the heat within the exhaust gas instead of transferring it through the piping of the vehicle which will result in an increase in power. This occurs because the exhaust gases stay hotter longer which allows them to leave the vehicle at higher velocities. Ceramic coating will do that without a problem. The wrap to a ceramic coated header would do more damage than good, I believe. The temperatures in the actual header will be even higher and the scavenging effect slightly better however, not giving any room for heat to dissipate could reach the 304 steel temperature threshold which could cause greater expanding and potentially cracks. I am talking here about the ones that take the car to the track on regular basis. Knowing that this header moves a fair amount of hot exhaust gases it might not be an issue and I could be wrong.