Ceramic or Chrome?

[Lion-O]

Header that is. What difference will the ceramic coating make in various areas? HP, longevity, that sort of thing and is it worth the extra 100$ that Downey wants?
As always thanks for your opinions, anticdotes, rants and/or help.

 

[tonkota]

I think that the ceramic disipates the heat more like the original manifolds.

 

[Tinker]

Ceramic contains the heat inside the header so the exhaust volume & therefore velocity stays up to increase the scavenging effect. Also keeps engine compartment temps down.

I wrapped a MAF 6-2-1 ceramic with insulation & thought it was a big improvement over stock on my 83. Then the head cracked or the gasket blew. Now all that stuff's for sale.

 

[FL cruiser]

I've had chrome headers rust out before.

I got a set ceramic coated three years ago and no signs of rust.

It's worth it. But ask if they ceramic coat the inside of the header, or if it's an option. Especialy around the collector welds.
It's worth the additional $25 to $40 they might charge to coat the inside.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

tinker how much do you want for the header?

 

[RredFJ40]

I have the MAF ceramic coated header and it is awesome! No rust in the year plus I've had it plus however long the PO had it. I don't know about heat dissapation.

 

[sl33py]

I was looking at getting some headers *probably ceramic*, but i thought people were having problems with the smog stuff? something about necessary connectors not being on them? This sound right? I have a stock 87, but need to keep it smogged for emissions. If you guys have had good luck with one in particular please give a link (and $$ - if you remember). Thanks guys!!!

Rob

 

[ThatNickGuy]

Sleepy,

MAF makes thier ceramic headers with an EGR drop tube which is what the other headers are missing. This allows you to keep your stock emission/smog setup. IIRC the price is about 400-ish for a set but from what I hear they're freakin' sweet.

Hope this helped,
Nick

 

[Lion-O]

Ok so here's my deal I installed Downeys header (chrome) on my 60 about 2 years ago and now it looks like this..

I don't want to totaly rebuild my exhaust since it's in way better shape than the header....Hmmmmmm.....
Here are Downeys headers. http://www.downeyoff-road.com/EngineComponents/index.htm

So I guess ceramic it is.

 

[Lion-O]

Update...Just ordered the header..it's coated inside out.

 

[wingysataday]

so which one and how much?

 

[Lion-O]

Ceramic...340.15 and shipping to (at the moment) stroming lke hell Ohio.

 

[Tapage]

Ok so here's my deal I installed Downeys header (chrome) on my 60 about 2 years ago and now it looks like this..

I don't want to totaly rebuild my exhaust since it's in way better shape than the header....Hmmmmmm.....
Here are Downeys headers. http://www.downeyoff-road.com/EngineComponents/index.htm

So I guess ceramic it is.

as garbage .. ! to bad notice for Downey ..

 

[beaufort-fj60]

anyone have problems with tpi's chrome headers? the last thing on my desmog list is headers. Anyone know why chrome headers have problems? what about the painted ones?

 

[Lion-O]

as garbage .. ! to bad notice for Downey ..

Huh?
So you think I wasted my money then?

 

[beaufort-fj60]

Huh?
So you think I wasted my money then?

tapage does not type the english too good. just like me, and i live here

 

[Lion-O]

LOL ok, huked on foniks werked fer me two

 

[nuclearlemon]

Header that is. What difference will the ceramic coating make in various areas? HP, longevity, that sort of thing and is it worth the extra 100$ that Downey wants?
As always thanks for your opinions, anticdotes, rants and/or help.

ceramic, but only if they're coated inside and out...some only coat the outside, so they rust from the inside out.

 

[Tinker]

I'd like to unload my whole setup, which includes the downpipe with the air pump pipe welded in (MAF did NOT supply the setup completetly EGR ready, despite what they said in their catalog & on the phone, 2 yrs ago), the extended marine exhaust flex line to plumb it to the air pump, & the carb heater. The headers are ceramic coated in & out, & wrapped with fiberglass insulating tape & painted. The whole setup was used less than 5K mi. & is in good shape. Still have the carb heater install instructions.

Love to get 50% of new MAF prices, will throw in the insulating wrap (install was PITA).

 

[beaufort-fj60]

that sounds like a sweet setup, but my egr has been surgically removed. I just need basic headers that are not smog friendly.