I was excited today when I got home to find my new headers waiting for me at the front door. I just have a couple of questions before I have them installed next week.

1. They didn't come with new gaskets. The instruction say to reuse the old ones My car only has <1500 miles so they are still somewhat new. I just wanted to see what your opinions are on that.

2. Also how many of you guys (or gals) would recommend having the headers coated. I'm not too familiar with thermal coatings. I'm assuming ceramic is the way to go

Thanks for your input...

 

Congratulations on the headers!

1st question. Yes you can reuse the gaskets, but for extra assurance against leaks, I would change them.

2nd question. Thermal coating, I would do this as well. The engine bay is hot enough without the help of the headers radiating heat. Not only will this improve the scavaging effect of the headers (faster flow) but your A/C will work better too. Because the left side header is close to the compressor lines and will heat the freon even more.

 

Thermal coating should be Jet Hot.

 

+1

 

1. Use new gaskets. The originals may be fine but you don't want to install headers more than once so don't chance it.

2. I didn't coat my Strup headers and I have had no problems. Of course I live in RI not Tampa FL! Once you are moving there is plenty of air flow to keep the under hood temps low. Of course sitting in stop and go traffic on a 110 degree day in Tampa is a different story. Coating the headers can only help but not coating them will not cause your car to self destruct!

 

Did you guys use Jet Hot? What was the turn around time and cost?

 

http://www.hyperkote.com/index.html

They do the same thing as Jet Hot...

I had my DC Sports headers coated by them and they did a good job...

 

stock gaskets with that little miles will definatly be fine... ive seen gaskets re-used after 40K miles! the multi layer metal exhaust manifold gaskets are pretty good...

BUT, since you are going in there, might as well replace them since its much cheaper to replace them now then to pay all that labor to replace them again....

http://mynismo.com/products/?id=4316

 

Just a few suggestions:

Use new gaskets. The last thing you want to be doing after the install is trouble shooting for leaks.

Loktite on the header bolts.

After about 1,000 miles, check all bolts for tightness.

 

Spoke to Jet-Hot and Hyperkote. They both quoted me the same price and turn around time. After doing some reserch, I decided to go with the Jet-Hot 2000 coating in black. I just sent the headers out and they said they have them for about a week. I really wanted to have them installed this week. But I'll just have to wait a little longer. Better to have the added assurane, it's hot enough in the engine bay.

Also I'm definitly going to go with new gaskets. I just found it a little odd that nismo says to reuse the old ones.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

listen to david... he got burned by not following his own advice

Use new gaskets! Gaskets are meant to be crushed slightly when installed. If you find a way to un-crush a gasket let me know.

 

I was thinking about this...

I dont recall the NISMO Headers coming with any documentation...

I could be wrong...

 

Actually Jason they came with a manilla envelope. Inside the envelope were two bolts, two nuts, an inspection certification and installation instructions. I did buy them on ebay so I don't really know if they come like that directly from nissan. I wish I had access to a scanner.

Also Jason I went ahead and bought the gaskets from mynismo.com. You guys have absolutly the best prices. I called my local dealer and they wanted something like $41 bucks for eack side!