Anyone heat coating their headers?

[mobybrz]

Originally Posted by nix

There is no 'if it retains moisture'. It does. Doesn't matter if it's cheapo wrap or the best DEI offers, it will trap water and accelerate corrosion over time.

The 'paints' are OK - not as effective overall as a quality wrap but a good compromise on price for a daily driver car. The ceramic coatings are better, the best available and really the only long term choice is from Zircotec in the UK which is a permanent coating that will last the life of the pipe and is used by F1/WRC/Indy/LMP1 teams.

Sorry to cause any confusion, I said 'if' because I have no data to backup it doing so.

I can't imagine the paints do any good at all either, but again, no data to go from. Zircotec* is great stuff, probably the only thing better than Swain that I have encountered. But I would note that the last time I dealt with them, they recommended against coating any of the inside of headers, which Swain is comfortable doing. I have not data to support it, but the internal coating SHOULD keep heat out of the metal and extend life.

If we are talking about the life of headers, which is frankly probably a silly discussion on these cars, coating inside would help whereas outside would hurt. The teams you are talking about are more concerned about keeping their body work from catching fire or electronics from melting. Longevity is not their concern beyond 24hrs (or 6 weekends in F1).

Originally Posted by campy

So wraps will cause rust and coatings will peel off?

properly applied and maintained they shouldn't do either.

*Zircotec also has coatings that will protect carbon fiber and composites. You can see what is likely some Zircotec products on the rear floor of the current RedBull F1 car.

[Hawaiian]

The biggest issue with wraps are the fact that they can also retain oil from any leak and will act like a candle wick. Fuel + heat + oxygen = sad driver.

[nix]

Originally Posted by Hawaiian

The biggest issue with wraps are the fact that they can also retain oil from any leak and will act like a candle wick. Fuel + heat + oxygen = sad driver.

That was a paranoia of mine (shadowed now by the fuel leak fires lol).

Originally Posted by mobybrz

Sorry to cause any confusion, I said 'if' because I have no data to backup it doing so.

I can't imagine the paints do any good at all either, but again, no data to go from. Zircotec* is great stuff, probably the only thing better than Swain that I have encountered. But I would note that the last time I dealt with them, they recommended against coating any of the inside of headers, which Swain is comfortable doing. I have not data to support it, but the internal coating SHOULD keep heat out of the metal and extend life.

If we are talking about the life of headers, which is frankly probably a silly discussion on these cars, coating inside would help whereas outside would hurt. The teams you are talking about are more concerned about keeping their body work from catching fire or electronics from melting. Longevity is not their concern beyond 24hrs (or 6 weekends in F1).


properly applied and maintained they shouldn't do either.

*Zircotec also has coatings that will protect carbon fiber and composites. You can see what is likely some Zircotec products on the rear floor of the current RedBull F1 car.

Good points, I don't know anything about Swain! But I have heard of even the basic zircotec lasting forever on manifolds that uncoated were going full cherry.

I haven't tried it yet because of the shipping costs to the UK but they are opening a new coating facility in AU next year.

On the wrap - yes I agree with proper application so long as it's checked & maintained/replaced every year or so depending on conditions it should be fine.

[CyberCT]

I had my RSX Comptech 304 Stainless shorty header head coated. I think it was by Swaintech. It may have cost me $250 or so, I don't exactly remember. But I did buy the header used for $100 and spent time taking the bits of rust off it before sending it in. They do a sandblast I believe anyway.

The underhood temps of my car were reduced dramatically. Highly recommended, and it still is holding up well to this day.

[tinma]

Originally Posted by CyberCT

I had my RSX Comptech 304 Stainless shorty header head coated. I think it was by Swaintech. It may have cost me $250 or so, I don't exactly remember. But I did buy the header used for $100 and spent time taking the bits of rust off it before sending it in. They do a sandblast I believe anyway.

The underhood temps of my car were reduced dramatically. Highly recommended, and it still is holding up well to this day.

Miss the rsx at all? Or the new car filling all the needs? :p sry to get off topic haha

[CyberCT]

The RSX will be my winger beater or car for kayaking / outdoorsy trips. So its not going anywhere

[Boba_kz]

As I understand Zircotec really effective coating but requires plasma equipment.

Is there any another alternative coating paint which can be used without any specific equipment?

[unsurety]

I found a somewhat local place that can coat headers inside and out. Is there a consensus on what's best? Ceramic coating inside and out, inside only, outside only... ?

Silly question too... does it matter if the flanges are coated or not as well?

[zc06_kisstherain]

Rust Oleum High Heat Paint!!

[Alltezza]

Lol sorry to bring back an old thread but hey at least I'm using the search function.

But anyways! Since we are on the topic about thermal coating.

I was on here http://jdlautodesign.net/shop/ft86-c...length-header/

Looking at JDL UEL headers and I noticed that there is an optional thermal coating. Is there a difference between Black thermal coating and Titanium? What is better and what does it do?

Does our stock headers even have thermal coating on them?

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Alltezza

Lol sorry to bring back an old thread but hey at least I'm using the search function.

But anyways! Since we are on the topic about thermal coating.

I was on here http://jdlautodesign.net/shop/ft86-c...length-header/

Looking at JDL UEL headers and I noticed that there is an optional thermal coating. Is there a difference between Black thermal coating and Titanium? What is better and what does it do?

Does our stock headers even have thermal coating on them?

I went with the titanium coating. I think it's worthwhile on these cars if you go to the track. If you notice, most of the coil pack failures are on the cylinders directly above the primary cat. A lot of heat seems to get trapped in that area just below the ECU. The header also surrounds the oil pan.

What the thermal coating does is reduce radiant heat coming off the header. In theory, this would reduce oil temps and prolong the life of the coil packs. I say "in theory" because, while thermal coating has been generally tested and found effective, I don't think anybody has specifically tested its effects on this platform. But for $100-150, I think it's an easy call.

FWIW I had my car at a local muffler shop over the weekend and they were surprised how quickly the header got cool compared to most cars they've worked on. I explained to them that the header was thermal coated and they said that made sense.

Stock header does not have any coating, but does have a heat shield.

[Fizz]

I wonder what the % of people with coil pack failures had non-coated aftermarket header....versus those who had failures with stock header or ceramic coated header.

Even with the heat shields on the factory header it gets very toasty in there, I can only imagine the additional heat being radiated with a raw header.

[phrosty]

Originally Posted by Fizz

Even with the heat shields on the factory header it gets very toasty in there, I can only imagine the additional heat being radiated with a raw header.

If this is a problem, I imagine it only affects catted headers. Catless ones should retain significantly less heat.

[Lunatic]

I had my header coated, inside and out. 2000 degree ceramic on the outside, I don't remember what he used on the inside. I have been happy with it and so far it still looks like new.