Ceramic Coated Headers

[RelentlessGT]

Hi everyone,
I am paranoid about excessive engine temperatures for my daily driver/occasional track day car and I have done the DIY OEM Forester sandwich-style oil cooler with good results (up to 12 deg. celcius cooler).

I am now looking at unequal length headers to remove the horrible torque dip and for a little bit more power output (combined with an OFT and maybe E85). In Australia we can get Ceramic Coated Prospeed Racing UEL Headers (aka. SSI) for $950 or non-coated for $700. These are very similar to Tomei (same factory).

Does anyone have any objective evidence of reduced engine temperatures on the track to show the heat benefits of ceramic coated headers over uncoated stainless steel ones?

[steve99]

Originally Posted by RelentlessGT

Hi everyone,
I am paranoid about excessive engine temperatures for my daily driver/occasional track day car and I have done the DIY OEM Forester sandwich-style oil cooler with good results (up to 12 deg. celcius cooler).

I am now looking at unequal length headers to remove the horrible torque dip and for a little bit more power output (combined with an OFT and maybe E85). In Australia we can get Ceramic Coated Prospeed Racing UEL Headers (aka. SSI) for $950 or non-coated for $700. These are very similar to Tomei (same factory).

Does anyone have any objective evidence of reduced engine temperatures on the track to show the heat benefits of ceramic coated headers over uncoated stainless steel ones?

Talk to @Wayno or @s2d4 both have coated header in oz

[WesleyG]

I have ceramic coated headers in my other car, and they make a big difference with engine bay temperatures

[phobos512]

Data!

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2010555

[Lunatic]

I have a top speed ceramic coated header and love it.

[Tbird232ci]

I've run ceramic coated headers on my Trans Am and there was a significant drop in engine bay temp. The issue I ran into was that they were mild steel once the coating flaked, they rusted out and broke off.

I like ceramic coating much better than heat wrap.

[Wayno]

On the track or any time you're at speed it won't make a much of a difference because air is forced in the front air dam, past the engine and mostly out the transmission tunnel with some going out past the steering arms and overpipe. The problem is at idle everything in the compartment heat soaks immediately because the upper half of the engine bay is sealed.

The other problem is uncoated headers radiate heat directly at head gaskets, front engine cover gasket, thermostat gasket, gasket sealant, etc so down the road you or the unsuspecting next owner has to tear the whole engine out to replace those. Uncoated catted headers would be the worse.

When you get OFT or custom tune, regardless of what headers you have, adjust your radiator fans to come on at idle, so you avoid unnecessarily heat soaking everything in the engine bay by an extra 20C.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64731

Tomei is a cleaner install, at an extra cost of about $300 and a couple days back and forward to coaters (850 + 150 OP + 250 coating).

PSR:

[RacerX]

Originally Posted by Wayno

On the track or any time you're at speed it won't make a much of a difference because air is forced in the front air dam, past the engine and mostly out the transmission tunnel with some going out past the steering arms and overpipe. The problem is at idle everything in the compartment heat soaks immediately because the upper half of the engine bay is sealed.

The other problem is uncoated headers radiate heat directly at head gaskets, front engine cover gasket, thermostat gasket, gasket sealant, etc so down the road you or the unsuspecting next owner has to tear the whole engine out to replace those. Uncoated catted headers would be the worse.

When you get OFT or custom tune, regardless of what headers you have, adjust your radiator fans to come on at idle, so you avoid unnecessarily heat soaking everything in the engine bay by an extra 20C.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64731

Tomei is a cleaner install, at an extra cost of about $300 and a couple days back and forward to coaters (850 + 150 OP + 250 coating).

PSR:

Thats a good idea.

[RelentlessGT]

Thanks everyone.

It sounds like the ceramic coating is worthwhile. I understand the point about air movement at speed but I still can't help but think there should be a _minor_ gain from these on the track but I guess that is up to measurements to prove.
@Wayno:
I already have the Stage 1 tune and am going to Philip Island next week (so not time for headers this week). I will look into your fan activation mod as currently as soon as I stop pushing (cooldown lap) I turn on aircon to force the fans to activate. The cooldown lop is where the Oil Cooler is very noticeable as the oil temperature drops much quicker than prior.

[Wayno]

I would say if you're going to so less than 200km between flashing and tracking, hold off flashing until after the track. You want your fuel trims to be well and truly dialed in beforehand.

[ZZT86]

Highly recommend, header so cool you can touch it after the drive. Amazing.

[Bergen23]

Would applying a VHT paint be similar? Like, I could do it at home in my garage kind of thing?

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Bergen23

Would applying a VHT paint be similar? Like, I could do it at home in my garage kind of thing?

Nope, not even close.

[FISHBURGLAR]

I ordered my OFT + OFH last week! i have one questions though. I live in NY as you know we get bad winters and salt, plus we get HOT days sitting in traffic. I was wondering if I should ceramic coat these headers. If i should, any suggestions where to send them?