Headers S.S. vs Ceramic

[Pandemic]

So,
I hear that ceramic is known to crack under heat. I hear that Stainless Steel is a much better choice, but is more expencive.

Anyone have any info about these 2 choices?

Anyone know where i can find a stainless steel DC header?

Also, Does ceramic rust? idk how much metal is in it.

Which is more anti-rust?
Thanks

[ceelooboob]

http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/search.php?searchid=1602907

[F22Turbo702]

Stainless merely looks good....where as a ceramic coated header is actually going to help you make more power because instead of the heat escaping out of your shiny SS header it is held in the tubes by the coating, the hotter the exhaust, the more energy it carries and the faster it moves, thereby making more power by flowing faster.

Or something like that, I'm sure it's far more complicated, but I don't think you're looking for an uber-engineer type answer. So, I hope that helped a bit.

-Kyle

Edit- Ceramic coated headers could potentially crack because of the extra heat that's remaining in the tubes...but I've not seen a good quality ceramic coated header ever crack. Also, no, ceramic coated headers will not rust because the metal is under the coating...keep in mind though that it is only a coating and if it gets heavily scratched it could rust in the exposed areas.

[Pandemic]

http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/search.php?searchid=1602907

uhh... what?

Also, thanks for that advice. I was looking at a DC ceramic coated but read that ceramic = more likely to crack... I wonder if they offer warranties.

Yiesh, I wonder if i could modify my current heat shield for it... either that or i'll have to wait about 10 min before washing my car... THAT could cause problems :P

[LinX]

I have a ceramic header and it works just like a charm. As far as washing goes, unless your hood is popped and open, water shouldnt get on your header. The reason I'd wait until the car cooled down is because the heat from the engine warms up the hood and water tends to evaporate quicker in that area leaving water spots but it can happen anywhere on the car assuming its a hot sunny day.

[F20A CB7]

it really shouldnt matter.

once u header wrap it it will b all good

[Pandemic]

header wrap?

hrm... So it seems like ceramic is the way to go? seems cheaper and more high performance. which... is for me :P

[NAiL05]

Ceramic also rusts. My friend had a DC sports in his civic with a vented cf hood. If you want a heat coating that works look for people that do they spray on coating. Those work 10x better and wont need heat wrap if your paranoid about the header cracking.

[Losiracer2]

i got a DC sport ceramic header back in may of 2005 and so far I dont see any cracking or rusting. They are REALLY light weight though compared to the stock cast iron header, id say a good 10lbs lighter

[NAiL05]

YOu get moisture in there it will start rusting. As I said my friend had a vented CF hood. It started rusting around some spots on the header and around the flanges was where it was most noticeable.

[deevergote]

Ceramic headers are just mild steel tubing with a ceramic coating. They can rust, and they can crack.

Stainless headers don't have the same heat containing qualities, but they will not rust. A low-quality one will potentially break at the welds, however.

Header-wrap is an effective way to add the heat-containging property of a ceramic coated header to a stainless piece... though you get that mummy-header look, rather than shiny steel. Worth it if you want performance over show. However, this will cause a bit more strain on the metal, as it is then being forced to contain heat that it would normally radiate away. I've only heard that wrap can cause a header to crack. Nobody that I know has had it happen, even on cheapie stainless or OEM mild steel headers.



If you want quality, grab a Bisimoto header when they are availible. They should be priced at about $600... which is a great deal, considering comparable headers sell for over $1000 (for the H22... this is probably THE BEST header you'll ever find for the F22)

[Pandemic]

So, In conclusion.

ceramic = good for performance
ss = good for looks
ceramic = rusts and can crack
ss = wont rust or crack

So, what would you pick?
What company would you go with?

[d112crzy]

how the header looks will have no effect on performance.

an ss will perform just as well as a ceramic, both being the same design.

I have a cheap-ass ebay "ceramic" header. Its rusted, but it has yet to crack.

stock exhaust manifolds rust too.

[lokuputha]

So, In conclusion.

ceramic = good for performance
ss = good for looks
ceramic = rusts and can crack
ss = wont rust or crack

So, what would you pick?
What company would you go with?

Megan Racing < DC Sports < Bisimoto IMO

but ultimately, price will be the deciding factor...right?

[deevergote]

Megan Racing is a copy of the DC Sports design, as far as I know.

Stainless can crack at the welds. Ceramic coated mild steel can crack at the welds, or if it's cheap quality steel, the tubing can crack (the ceramic coating holds the heat in the metal). A cheap ceramic coating won't do much.

The BEST thing to do is get a Bisimoto header and get it coated. Ceramic or even JetHot would work well.