which kind of header coating is better, nickel chrome plating or ceramic coating? and why
thanks

 

Chrome will change colors once it heats up. Ceramic tends to flake off.

Why not just get stainless?

 

on my 3rd gen TA I put a high temp Por 15 coating on some cheapie black painted headers then did a wrap. Held up for 5 years with no leaks/rust.

 

because i want something that will look nice that will only be used when its nice out and garaged, and have the headers still in nice condition after 2-3 years then sell it, and not more than $300

 

The cera-metallic coating has a number of advantages. The internal coating helps reflect heat back into the exhaust gasses. That keeps gas temperatures high, increasing velocity in the primaries and increasing scavenging, producing a small HP gain. Also reduces the header tube metal temperature, which reduces cracking due to extreme thermal cycling. The combination of reduced tube metal temperatures and the external coating reduces/eliminates oxidation of the external surtaces. And, there's less heat pouring into the engine compartment.

In comparison, the nickle coating, applied only externally, does little more than reduce surface oxidation.

Moving to the "Exhaust" forum.

 

Ceramic coating is a good way to go, but if your wanting them to look like new forever then you will have to pull them every 3 years or so and have them re - coated. I know it almost sounds stupid to think of removing them, but some people do.