Exhaust Header Coatings & Wraps | Whats right for your vehicle?

🔍 *Choosing Headers: Paint, Wrap, or Ceramic Coating? Unveiling the Truth!*
Join David from First Place Auto Parts as he dives into the world of headers, breaking down the options: painted headers, header wrap, and ceramic-coated headers. Discover the pros and cons of each coating method and find out how they perform under real-world conditions on a dyno. Whether you're restoring a classic or upgrading your muscle car, this guide will help you make an informed decision.
⚙️ *Header Coating Options: Paint, Wrap, or Ceramic*
Explore the three main options for coating headers and understand their differences:
1. *Painted Headers:*
- Least expensive option.
- Protection against rust.
- Requires periodic touch-ups.
- Easy to apply with header paint from reputable brands like VHT.
2. *Header Wrap:*
- Fibrous material applied to each tube.
- Reduces external temperatures significantly.
- Increases internal temperatures, potentially enhancing scavenging.
- Tedious to install, wear gloves to avoid itching.
- May hold moisture and cause rust over time.
3. *Ceramic-Coated Headers:*
- Durable and long-lasting.
- Resistant to heat and corrosion.
- Reduced external temperatures.
- Dyno room test reveals minimal performance differences.
- Vulnerable to damage if subjected to extreme heat (e.g., breaking a camshaft during dyno testing).
🔧 *Dyno Room Test Results: Paint vs. Ceramic vs. Wrap*
Explore the performance results of each coating option on a dyno:
- *Painted Headers:*
- External Temperature: 400-484 degrees.
- Internal Temperature (EGT): 630-795 degrees.
- *Ceramic-Coated Headers:*
- External Temperature: 400-479 degrees.
- Internal Temperature (EGT): 630-800 degrees.
- *Wrapped Headers:*
- External Temperature: 400-425 degrees.
- Internal Temperature (EGT): 635-845 degrees.
👉 *Key Takeaways:*
- *Performance:* Minimal differences in horsepower output among paint, ceramic, and wrapped headers on the dyno.
- *Under Hood Temperature:* Wrapped headers significantly reduce external temperatures, making them an effective choice for managing heat soak and protecting components like starters.
- *Aesthetics:* Paint and ceramic coatings offer a cleaner and more visually appealing finish compared to the hairy appearance of wrapped headers.
🔧 *Header Coating Selection Tips:*
- *Budget Considerations:* Paint is cost-effective, while ceramic coating tends to be the most expensive.
- *Under Hood Heat Management:* Choose wrapped headers for superior reduction in external temperatures.
- *Longevity:* Ceramic-coated headers offer durability and a long-lasting finish.
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🏁 *Keep the Hammer Down and Keep it Between the Guardrails!*
Thank you for watching this informative guide on header coatings. Until next time, keep the hammer down and stay between the guardrails! 🏁

[@KatarinasGarage]

Very informative. I'm gonna be ceramic coating my header for lack of maintenance. However I am going to make a heat shield for my starter too just in case. But should I wrap the heat shield too?