Exhaust Coatings

[toximus]

From what I understand, and it's probably partly internet mumbo jumbo, the gases won't cool before exiting the tailpipe which will increase the force they escape with. Netting more power. Actually felt with the butt dyno? Probably not or manufactures would be doing it to increase MPG ratings.

 

[pagrey]

Just make sure you ceramic coat, DO NOT wrap.

Just curious, why not wrap? I don't really have strong opinion one way or another but I'd like to hear your reason.

 

[Chris]

Just curious, why not wrap? I don't really have strong opinion one way or another but I'd like to hear your reason.

Moisture gets trapped in the wraps and starts to rot the metal in short order. Google some photos of it and you’ll see what I mean. Those wraps won’t let the metal underneath last long, even stainless steel. This is especially true if you wheel or drive where it’s consistently wet, such as Washington or Oregon.

The ceramic coating will do more than the wrap will do anyways.

 

[Wildman]

Mark my word, it will cut the temps DRAMATICALLY! Just wait and see, you’ll be blown away. I’m having my header system and exhaust done as well for this very reason. This stuff really works wonders 👍

Just make sure you ceramic coat, DO NOT wrap.

Okay convinced me. It's 2 hours each way to go to that ceramic shop but if it works that well it will be worth it.

Just curious, why not wrap? I don't really have strong opinion one way or another but I'd like to hear your reason.

I was going to ask the same question.

Moisture gets trapped in the wraps and starts to rot the metal in short order. Google some photos of it and you’ll see what I mean. Those wraps won’t let the metal underneath last long, even stainless steel. This is especially true if you wheel or drive where it’s consistently wet, such as Washington or Oregon.

The ceramic coating will do more than the wrap will do anyways.

Yes this is what I had seen and read online plus seen in person guys headers who had wrapped them up here in WA. This was the reason I was planning on not wrapping them but was hoping others would share their experiance or opinions.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Couple of the Evo guys I ran around with back in Japan had custom made inconel heat shields. I have seen similar shields on OEM applications. This isn't them, just something similar I found:

Inconel Custom Made Heat Shielding Ordering Form

Heat Management A few facts to consider when modifying internal combustion engines are: Horsepower & Torque at their most fundamental origins are measurements of heat and pressure. As power levels increase, so does it's inherent by-product; heat. As intensity and frequency of exposure to...

turbosource.com

 

[Apparition]

Exhaust Header Heat Wraps-Do Not Use! - Century Performance Center, Inc.

Why Header Wraps Destroy Your Headers, and Why Thermal Ceramic Header Coatings are Recommended.

www.centuryperformance.com

 

[Chris]

Okay convinced me. It's 2 hours each way to go to that ceramic shop but if it works that well it will be worth it.



I was going to ask the same question.



Yes this is what I had seen and read online plus seen in person guys headers who had wrapped them up here in WA. This was the reason I was planning on not wrapping them but was hoping others would share their experiance or opinions.

I wrapped headers on a vehicle back in the day (over 12 years ago), and in about a year they were rusted to hell. The heat from the headers and the water from outside creates a really nasty breeding ground for rust, and IMHO it actually accelerates the rust. Like I said, it’s even worse in wetter climates.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Found some better pics of what I was talking about. It is a rigid custom fit piece and there is an air gap between the heat shield and the manifold. Just water likely wouldn't be an issue, but I could see mud getting caked in there possibly causing an issue.

 

[DWR]

I know this discussion was made due to OP’s V8 swap... but is there any good aftermarket headers for the 4.0 that are ceramic coated? In the configuration that the 4.0 is, with the intake right over the exhaust, I feel like it would actually help power or maybe MPG.

 

[S.McArthur]

I built an exhaust for my street bob and wrapped them, still got hot enough to make my leg uncomfortable. I took some old heat shields and modified them to sit a little closer then wrapped them, that worked well.
I do not think you should cost and wrap though. That is all the info I have, take it for what it's worth.
I miss that bike:

And how it looked after before I traded for a street glide:

 

[SkylinesSuck]

I know this discussion was made due to OP’s V8 swap... but is there any good aftermarket headers for the 4.0 that are ceramic coated? In the configuration that the 4.0 is, with the intake right over the exhaust, I feel like it would actually help power or maybe MPG.

Doug Thorley

 

[JPHikr]

I have be using Black Satin (BHK) for nearly 20 years and it works great for reducing heat transfer out of exhaust manifolds, headers and pipes.

You can paint it on with a brush or spray it on with you spray gun.

Air dry for 24 hours then ready to use

Exhaust System Coatings | Tech Line Coatings Industries Inc

techlinecoatings.com

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Is there any evidence that ceramic coating could lengthen the life of a factory manifold? Pretty sure mine has developed a crack (3-4 years old) and I'd be willing to try it if it might help.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

I've never seen any cracking or degrading of ceramic coatings in the 3 different exhaust applications I've used it on. 1 is my Olds Cutlass over stock manifolds which is now 10-12 years old, 1 was on my Skyline and that routinely saw temps of 600C+ for 5-6 years, and the last is the Doug Thorley header on the Jeep. The first 2 of those were parked 50ft from the ocean every night, but never saw off-road obviously. The Jeep has only had the coated header for like 2 years so not a good test. Worst case I could imagine is you have a few spots the coating is thin and you get a bit of surface rust, plus the thermal protection at that spot is lower.

I think any concerns about them rusting is unfounded. Not saying the coating can't fail, flake off, or even allow a little rust to happen where it's thin. A number of factors including improper prep, application, or other things could probably affect it. As far as micro cracks allowing corrosion to get under the coating and make it rust worse that an uncoated header, that's just a false idea not based in reality.

If you aren't concerned about looks, I'd consider Swain tech ceramic coating. That stuff is supposed to be the best coating for insulation and is stupid durable. It's just fugly IMHO. Do that plus the inconel heat shield!! Might cost about as much as your motor does though lol.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Swain Tech stuff:

 

[ejay]

Found some better pics of what I was talking about. It is a rigid custom fit piece and there is an air gap between the heat shield and the manifold. Just water likely wouldn't be an issue, but I could see mud getting caked in there possibly causing an issue.

View attachment 180260

View attachment 180261

View attachment 180262

View attachment 180263

Looks ideal and nicely done. But, at a minimum cost of $600 per their estimate form, I'd rather form my own.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Oh for sure. What did somebody else already say in this thread about "not my money!"? 😁

 

[TJ2]

I painted my JK exhaust pipe with a high heat grill paint and lasted for a month then it starts to peel off.
Now I regret how it looks

 

[Tob]

@Wildman what did you end up going with? And how is it holding up?

 

[Wildman]

@Wildman what did you end up going with? And how is it holding up?

I have not gotten that far yet. I'm still planning on getting the headers and Y pipe ceramic coated.