Headers-What are you running?

[A1990]

Originally Posted by Jeffvette

Stainless...900 4 years ago
No coating
No O2 issues

Leave it to Jeffvette to be naked

Originally Posted by A1990

Leave it to Jeffvette to be naked

You mean like her?

[1990 quasar blue]

Jeff, what's your opinion on coatings? The only one that I'm really considering is Swain. Is it worth the money?
TIA
Mike

[A1990]

Originally Posted by Jeffvette

You mean like her?

Looks about half right

[Z Factor]

Originally Posted by 1990 quasar blue

Jeff, what's your opinion on coatings? The only one that I'm really considering is Swain. Is it worth the money?

Originally Posted by 1990 quasar blue

TIA
Mike

I will give you my take on coatings. For Watson headers a coating is a must from a cosmetic standpoint. They are made from 409 grade ss which is great for exhaust applications. However, they develop a light surface rust which retards further corrosion, but does not look that great. So a coating goes a long way from that standpoint. As to a reduction in heat, opinions vary, but I believe some coatings do reduce heat. JetHot along with a few others coat both the inside and outside, while Swain Tech coats only the outside. That said, I believe Swain to have the thickest coating compared to the other competitors. If coatings reduce engine bay temperatures which I suspect they do, then it is clearly worth it. As to whether any of them "increase" HP via accelerating the pulsed-vacuum effect or increased velocity of exhaust gases is debatable. Regardless, you are talking about a small investment for a definite cosmetic improvement, as well as a probable heat reduction, and maybe even a small HP increase.

Some will say don't "waste" your money, but I am glad my headers are coated. Had I bought uncoated headers, I was planning on having them either Swain Tech coated(all White as your only choice), or would have picked JetHot because of their great cosmetic look as my 2nd choice.

[91King]

Stainless Works
Random Tech cats
3" B&B
No 02 problems

[1990 quasar blue]

Good points Z Factor. Since you really can't see that much of them I'm more concerned with function than aesthetics. I don't mind the cost as long as it is beneficial.
Thanks.

[phrogs]

I have stainless steal works bought them this year was pressed for time so I didnt send them off to be coated

I really dont think its a big deal either way I dont fell anything in the passenger compartment and I really havent noticed any problems in the engine compartment due to heat?

I would have had it done if I had the time but now Im not really worried about it, But on my other 90 I have a set of the watsons and They have light surface rust but they do not apear to be coated???

johnny

[Z Factor]

Originally Posted by phrogs

I have stainless steal works bought them this year was pressed for time so I didnt send them off to be coated

I really dont think its a big deal either way I dont fell anything in the passenger compartment and I really havent noticed any problems in the engine compartment due to heat?

I would have had it done if I had the time but now Im not really worried about it, But on my other 90 I have a set of the watsons and They have light surface rust but they do not apear to be coated???

johnny

There is some information out there (typically by the coating manufacturers themselves) about reduced engine bay heat and other benefits coating offers. Here are both Swain Tech and Jet-Hot's links to their claims.

http://www.swaintech.com/header.html

http://www.jet-hot.com/Pages/why.html

As to your Watsons it is normal for you to have the light surface rust since they are made of 409ss. However, it is unlikely that they have any coating applied since you can see rust as opposed to the coating color itself.