Hey guys/gals, i'm wondering how many of you have had your headers coated before having them installed. I am going to have a set of Nismo Headers (along w/ some Crawford Hi-flow Cats I just purchased) installed this week and would like to know whether I should get them coated or not. I did do some research on the site, and while I understand the benefits of having them coated, not many people seem to do it. I don't plan on going FI in case that is a big factor. I'm wondering whether the extra $$$ and time are worth it. Any info/feedback is appreciated... Thanks!

 

i had my crawfords coated, and my engine bay is still heating up so much that i have to go to a higher temp brake fluid.

 

I built heat shields for my headers and they work surprisingly well. Definitly no problems with excess heat.

Just before installation I spray painted the heat shields black with Hi-Temp spray paint to keep the headers camoflaged. The black color also works really good too. Just in case Mr. PoPo or Mr. Smog wants to look under the hood, they won't see anything.

 

I also just received my headers (TopSpeed) and HF Cats (Kinetix), pending install. Also researched. TopSpeed says it is not needed. I asked Jet-Hot for a quote and they sent me a nice VHS video about it, haven't watched it yet.

Hydra, that looks good. I am sure you could sell some if you try...

 

I heat wrapped my Nismos.

 

Jet-Hot 2k coated my TopSpeeds...they still run hotter than stock as told by my fan kicking on high sooner than usual, but the cooling system is more than up to the task. The other good thing about the coating is it runs inside and out so you don't get the destructive side-effects of wrap.

I did some research on Google and found instances of the Sterling finish failing after some miles so you might want to spend the extra $20 for piece of mind of the 2K coating. They warranty the Sterling finish, but who wants to install headers twice?

All told, not sure I'd do the mod again. Even with the group buy price, discount on the coating and reasonable install, it's not a lot of bang for the buck. I'm hoping after I get my catback and plenum spacer installed dividends will be paid...

 

Local place coated my topspeeds for $150

 

I had my Crawford headers coated with Jet-Hot 2000 before install, inside and out. I got mine done as part of a group buy. I can't remember exactly what it cost, but is was approximately $200. Doug shipped my headers straight to Jet-Hot where they coated them and sent them directly to me.

I had them coated for two reasons. First since the Crawford headers are not stainless I wanted an additional coating on them to help keep them from rusting long term. Next the Jet-Hot coating is supposed to help keep the heat down coming off the headers (Jet-Hot 2000 is rated to withstand temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees). The engine bay in the Z is hot with the stock headers so I wanted to keep it from getting hotter. So far it doesn't seem to be any hotter now than when it was stock. However, I haven't driven the car in the summer yet with the Crawford headers.

Since you are getting the Nismo headers which are stainless you really don't need the coating for protection only for the heat reduction benefit. Also if you get them coated you may loose the stainless look depending on what coating you use, although you really can't see much of the headers anyway. Jet-Hot 2000 does not come in a stainless finish. Mine are a light gray color. Bottom line I think the coating is worth it.

 

have you ever thought of selling your heat shields?

 

I didn't but I really wish that I had. The floor gets pretty warm with things as is. Oh well, live and learn.

 

Thought about it but each different header would require a different heat shield design. And I'm not sure the market demand would justify the effort.

 

Phatmitzu,

How has the wrap worked out for you and how long have you had them.
...If there are no long term reliability issues, wrapping is the ideal solution.

 

Had them on for a while now, dont remember how long...at least for 6000 miles. No problem. Kept the heat down pretty well. But after the wrapping, it takes a couple of days to burn off the coating on the wrap tho...it will stink for a week or so.

 

Moved.

 

Hello again guys. Thanks to all who shared their input. Although the poll shows that more people installed their headers uncoated, I think i'm going to get mine coated just in case. I figure that it doesn't cost too much more for that extra protection. So it looks like i'll be calling Jet-Hot and getting a quote on the 2000 coating. I'll just have to wait that much longer before I get them installed. I can't wait. Thanks again for all of the input!

 

Be sure to ask for your "Forum" discount. They should extend a min. of 10%. Some Corvette forum a friend of mine belongs to routinely get's 20% off.

 

Hey thanks for the reminder. I hadn't even thought of that. I'll be sure to mention it.

 

Good move... The 2000k coating inside/outside is the BBB. In HOTROD magazine they showed temps on the HEADERS cut in half with the coating.

I just re-boxed my stuff and I'm sending it out to JET-HOT in the morning. They gave me a quote for $325 shipped for the items below. Obviously they just coat the HF cats on the outside.

Zquicksilver

 

oh you should have asked for the group buy price. they will extend it to us if you ask for it.

 

I just contacted Jet-Hot and got a great deal on the 2000 inside/outside coating. I chose gray for the color (as if it matters.) I mentioned the forum and I think he gave me the group-buy price. He quoted me $176.00 plus shipping. Anyhow, the dealer gets them in tomorrow and I'm shipping them out to Jet-Hot on Wednesday. Can't wait to get everything installed!