Thermal vs Ceramic headers
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Thermal vs Ceramic headers
Ive been looking for a set of headers for my 94 F150 5.8L. Whats the difference and what would be a better choice? I want to get somthing that will not be prone to rusting.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Whats the difference, Is the thermal coating just the cheap hi-temp paint you can buy at a parts store? Will the ceramic coating protect against rusting better? Ive heard that they can have a problem of peeling off. Also is there any specific brand that works better for our trucks?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
You'll have to ask the manufacturer about thier specific thermal coating, who knows what it really is. Ceramic coating isn't totally bulletproof but it's much better than any paint. Stainless is the top dog and resists rusting the best, and it's usually the most expensive option as a result.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
Conanski is right... you gotta check with the manufacturer if you are going to plunk down some serious cash for headers especailly the coated ceramic ones and get thier specs for the coating.
Stainless is the best option. Stainless headers won't be cheap and they will be fit and finished better as a result. You can use them to break in an engine... but they can get heat marks, bluing, etc... an can eventually rust at the welds... but it will take a very long time before you have to worry about rust even at the welds.
Lest jump back to black painted headers.... why they put that **** black paint on them i'll never know... they should sell them bare and let you paint them with high temp paint you buy at the parts store... you ever get them stripped in caustic and paint them with engine paint... they work pretty well too.
Then you have thermal coated/ceramic coated headers..... these are basically metal headers with a coating on them... each company calls their coating something different... I am biased towards jet hot myself. A coated header will work really well. The onyl problem is you don't want to break an engine in with these headers as they will usually overheat the coating and get it to peel away or discolor... even a head swap can hut the coating... so get a set of black ones too.
Hope this helps
Stainless is the best option. Stainless headers won't be cheap and they will be fit and finished better as a result. You can use them to break in an engine... but they can get heat marks, bluing, etc... an can eventually rust at the welds... but it will take a very long time before you have to worry about rust even at the welds.
Lest jump back to black painted headers.... why they put that **** black paint on them i'll never know... they should sell them bare and let you paint them with high temp paint you buy at the parts store... you ever get them stripped in caustic and paint them with engine paint... they work pretty well too.
Then you have thermal coated/ceramic coated headers..... these are basically metal headers with a coating on them... each company calls their coating something different... I am biased towards jet hot myself. A coated header will work really well. The onyl problem is you don't want to break an engine in with these headers as they will usually overheat the coating and get it to peel away or discolor... even a head swap can hut the coating... so get a set of black ones too.
Hope this helps
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BigCountry1978
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jul 16, 2016 01:05 AM
Hamstersbane
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jul 5, 1999 10:23 PM
