So from what I've read coated headers seem to stay looking nicer longer, and not rust. Well when it comes to saving money or headers looking good, I would definitely rather save some money. And as far as rust goes I live in Arizona so it isn't a problem at all.

So are coated headers really worth it for me?

 

i would still get them coated. It helps out in so many different ares, but thats just me. if you wana be cheap paint would be your answer.

 

Rust is a problem with uncoated headers, no matter where you live. The rust results from the common carbon steel tubes reaching very high surface temperatures, and the iron in the carbon steel combining with oxygen in the air. It doesn't require high humidity, lots of rain or salt used for melting icy roads.

The cera-metallic coating offers a number of benefits:

-reduced under hood temperatures
-reduced metal cracking due to thermal cycling
-small power gain because the hotter exhaust gasses travel at a higher velocity, increasing scavenging
-keeps them look good

 

Get coated or stainless steel headers.

 

Coated is the only way to go man.

 

That was very well-put. If you get a quality coating (ie: Jet Hot, Precision Motorsports, etc.) with the header coated not only on the outside but on the inside as well it'll improve things even better.

Some people still would rather not spend the extra money in the coating, and go with a non-stainless header and not worry about the rust. Others may choose to go with stainless, which won't rust, but will still create an awful lot of heat in the engine bay. Especially living in Arizona, with that kind of heat I would definitely suggest a good coating to keep the engine bay cooler. A cooler engine bay means lower IAT's, which in the end means a little more power. Also when your power steering lines run close to the header they'll stay cooler on the coated headers which won't decrease the longetivity of your power steering pump. Hoses, vacuum lines, electrical wiring, etc. won't be prone to prematurely deteriorating due to the additional heat of an uncoated header.

We're running a pretty awesome deal with free Jet Hot "Extreme Sterling" or a free Precision Motorsports header coating when you buy the corresponding Kooks connection pipes. That said, if you're looking at Kooks headers it's a no-brainer to go with coating if you're buying from us.

 

I got coated Kooks from Maryland Speed. They're great.

 

How does the Ceramac coating that MAC Performance list compare? I'm going Mac mids (let's don't start the shorty,mid,LT debate) but am not sure whether their chrome is sufficient or should go their Ceramac, or send them to Jet-Hot or somewhere else.

Input?