ArmoE55

I'm curious if headers have to be coated? The reason I ask is because I am looking at my Kleemann headers and they don't appear coated.

Is this necessary? I have heard horror stories about cracked headers because they weren't coated etc.


Please share your experiences and expertise...

GT-ER

Nope...mine aren't coated. Also, coating does little to keep a header from cracking.

CharlyE500

I think the only one with coating is evosport header. Not many with coating as far as i know. my kleeman also no coating.

vietjdmboi

All my turbo manifolds and headers in the past have always been coated. I chose to do this to keep the underhood temps down. My last turbo manifold was coated by swaintech and I was able to touch the surface after a track pass without being burnt.

ArmoE55

The reason I ask is for cracking.

Besides poor design/build quality, any other reason why the Kleemann or any header for that matter would crack?

vietjdmboi

sorry i went a bit OT. but coating has nothing to do with cracking. cracking is due to poor penetration of welds.

ArmoE55

I'm not a weld expert ... but for those that have the Kleemann headers, are they welds done well? Good craftsmanship?

Thanks!

ahmad0658

My kleeman headers are coated by TTM, they got cracked and broke few times. Coating will help in reducing temp. Could be other advantages that I don't know too

ArmoE55

So are the Kleemann headers a poor design/build?

It seems like cracking is inevitable with these headers? What gives?

GT-ER

I've had kleeman for almost a year with no issues.

vietjdmboi

Here is what a fully penetrated weld that has also been back purged looks like.

slamar1

Coated headers help keep the heat from the engine/headers from radiating out. I have had almost all my headers professionally coated. It also helps keep the exhaust temps hotter.

After driving your car you could literally shut the engine off, wait a few minutes, then grab the header and it would be warm to the touch.

Coating works

cahiil55k

Coated or not, running too rich can damage headers over time. I had this happen with a project car that I used as a DD.

CharlyE500

So the best thing to do is coated before installation ? what if it crack in a year, still able to fix like weld it again ? Or i can just ask a welding company double weld it now ?

CharlyE500

Anybody know if this ceramic coating works ? so they only coat outside not the inside of the header right ?

vietjdmboi

if you want the best, go with swaintech's white lightning. hands down the best ceramic coating ever.

CharlyE500

oups.... i forgot the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Colorgard-Cera...BW/ref=lh_ni_t


Heat resist to 1300F

CharlyE500

Nice.... but i need to coat it this week-end..... since i will install the header next week......

vietjdmboi

The thing you have to remember is that other "ceramic coatings'' will start to flake off after some time..may it be a week, month or year. you get what you pay for. There is a jethot facility in tempe, AZ which is closest to you.

I just searched and theres a company called Specialized coating in Huntington beach. Should give them a ring and see

CharlyE500

Thanks...... its too late..... i just bought that Colorgard black ceramic coating..... i will try to clean it well and apply as more cover as i can...... maybe the whole 8oz

blackbenzz

I've had Kleemann headers on my clk uncoated for over 5 years and never had a problem. If I was to coat if go swaintech for sure

BlownV8

I've got some mild steel headers that were Jet Hot coated in the early to mid 90's. Took them back to Jet Hot after close to 15 years and had them recoated. They look brand new.

I'd imagine that the internal and external coating that Jet Hot offers can have a positive impact on helping to alieve some of the affects of the heat cycling and header cracking. Of course, it can't help poor workmanship on the headers.

BBBSS

I've had good experience with jet hot as well.

ArmoE55

My buddy has an account with JetHot, so I will likely go with them.

I will look up Swaintech to see if there's a local one ... how much does coating headers run these days? Should the downpipes be coated as well?


Thank you all for the tips.

vietjdmboi

there is only one swaintech facility and its located in NY. For coating cost, it can range from $80-150 per. On a turbo car I would coat the downpipe but if you're talking about the pipe after the headers on our car then I wouldn't worry about it.