Ceramic Coated Headers or Not?

[zebra1550]

I'm getting ready to get a set of JBA headers for my Tundra and would like to know if it is worth it to get them ceramic coated?
I had the TRD headers on my Tacoma ceramic coated, but they seemed to get just as hot as my buddy's non coated headers. I was actually a little disappointed. We do get alot of snow and salt here in Nebraska, so the wear factor is important. Anyone experienced any wear problems with the stainless steel JBA?
Additionally, I've found that JBA now offers a titanium ceramic coating for their headers. They say it's titanium in color only, but claim they protect from higher temps and actually get stronger the more heat cycles they go through. Anyone actually have these on their truck yet?
Thanks for any help.
Jacob

[Ring Steel]

I can't recommend the JBA's that are ceramic coated. I bought those less than a year ago, and now I have rust showing up thru the ceramic coating. I am very dissapointed with the coating.

[thecarguy]

I have no experience with JBA but I have used headers from just about every company out there. I have found that ceramic is the only way to go. All coatings rust except for the ceramic in my opinion. If heat is an issue DO NOT use a header wrap. I have before and they actually trap the heat and cause cracking at the flange and the collector. New plug wires is a lot cheaper than new headers.

[flyin6]

I would highly recommend the ceramic coated Downey headers. I have had mine on for two winters, and in Northern Kentucky the authorities match the snowfall with salt inch for inch. Mine do have a little rust in a couple places, but the factory stainless pipes show much more rust. You will never find a cremanic coated anything that will not rust. I once had a Shelby Cobra, 427 with side pipes which were constructed of stainless and cremanic coared. Those rusted and the car never saw a single day of rain. The importent thing is these headers deliver more power and mine have never leaked at the head gasket surface. I'm very happy with mine.

[curlyhiro]

You know, it's too bad that one of these so called header manufactures dosen't make a quality header. I have JBA's and I'm not empressed. If one of them would make the headers with 316 stainless, we wouldn't have this problem with corrosion. It's the cheap 300 series stainless that corrodes. I could be wrong in that 316 may not be able to take the high heat and have the same problem. If you noticed, the Toyota head pipes aren't coated with anything. They seem to have no problem lasting. Something to think about.

[Genthar]

I thought the ceramic coating was more for heat purposes rather than rustproofing?

[curlyhiro]

Genthar, I may be wrong but, from my younger days, Ceramic coating was used because chrome headers would discolor from heat. Ceramic made them look good all the time. Anyway, when I worried about heat from my headers, I just wraped them with header tape. That's what really keeps heat away for starters and wires. I don't believe ceramic coating will do enough there. Tundra starters are on top on the engine anyway under the intake manifold. Corrosion is a real problem with most headers because of cheap material.

[Invid]

Yeah Ceramic Coated headers will not really eliminate heat as that's not what they're designed to do. Ceramic coatings are used to prevent corrosion and discoloring of bare metal. By being ceramic they can withstand greater heat than any other material around which makes it the ideal material for coatings. If you want to knock the heat down under your hood you need Header Wraps. And for an average V8 you'll need about 25 feet per side. If your ceramic coated headers are rusting through I would recommend getting your headers JetHot Coated. I have a '65 Mustang and I had my headers JetHot coated over 10 years ago and they haven't a blemish on them. And believe me it's seen it's share of rain and such during that time.

http://www.jet-hot.com/

[KLS]

Quote:
Applying JET-HOT to the interior and exterior of headers contributes to net power in a number of ways. Because the coating acts as an insulator, it keeps heat inside the headers and out of the engine compartment where lower temperatures permit more dense fuel/air charges to reach combustion chambers. At the same time, demand from power-robbing accessories is reduced. Also, by retaining heat within headers and smoothing header bores, the coating increases the velocity and reduces the turbulence of exhaust gases, leading to more effective scavenging of cylinders.

JET-HOT's insulating effect offers benefits beyond power gains. By reducing temperatures on header surfaces and in the engine compartment (See "Temperature Comparison" below.), the coating minimizes the chance of a fire in the event of an oil leak, facilitates engine work during pit stops, and helps protect drivers from exhausting heat.
--end quote
http://www.jet-hot.com/engin2.html

[Dude Boy]

Originally posted by curlyhiro
You know, it's too bad that one of these so called header manufactures dosen't make a quality header. I have JBA's and I'm not empressed. If one of them would make the headers with 316 stainless, we wouldn't have this problem with corrosion. It's the cheap 300 series stainless that corrodes. I could be wrong in that 316 may not be able to take the high heat and have the same problem. If you noticed, the Toyota head pipes aren't coated with anything. They seem to have no problem lasting. Something to think about.

Curlyhiro:

The JBA's are made out of 409 stainless. I've heard that the reason is that its easier to bend. That makes sense. You're not supposed to be able to polish 409. I had mine looking pretty good though before I put them on. I've never had any ceramic coated headers but it seems like something that wouldn't be flexible enough to keep from cracking. I've seen race cars with header wrap, but have also heard that many header manufacturers will not warranty their product if you put on the wrap.

[Genthar]

Ceramic coating reduces under-hood temperature

From the JBAHeaders site.

Doesn't seem like they put it on for corrosion resistance.