I'm getting a set of pacesetter lt headers soon (to be matched with true dual) and I was wondering if it is worth the extra $200 to get them coated. How much extra hp will coated headers really bring over uncoated? I'm thinking at most it'll be 5 (just guessing) and $200 put elsewhere can buy alot more than 5 hp. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

 

You won't see any real HP gains with the coated headers, what you will see though is reduced underhood temperatures and less burnt wires. the reduced underhood temps could result in a few HP because the intake would be slightly cooler, but that would be it.

I like them for their appearance, and stuff does not immediately burn when it touches them (except for your skin... )

 

Get them coated....enough said

 

I was thinking I could just wrap them with some thermal tape they make just for headers. They claim to lower temperature and protect wires, and for about $30, I think it would be worth trying. I'm not too converned with looks under the hood, I'd rather put my money into apperence people will see

 

i think for most the coating is not for hp as much as keeping the headers from rusting. without coating i have heard the headers rust really quickly, on the otherhand some people have said that their coating chiped off and now their coated headers are rusting. the coating also helps to keep unwanted heat out of the engine bay. with the wrap i have heard that all it really doeas is hold moisture against the header and cause them to rust faster, also i heard that they pose a fire hazard (dont want to take chances with a fire in the engine bay)
thats what iv gotten out of my reasearch anyway. with that being said i went ahead with the coated headers from jet-hot they cut me a great deal plus they look pretty

 

I understand if you wrap them they'll rust through fast.

 

Coating generally speaking is for looks and long lasting only on a street car. If you read the BS form the coating folks they clain HP gains. I am sure that is correct on a race car where every extra 1/10 horsepower counts. What a coating (inside) will do is in theory keet the heat contained in the tube or more of the heat. Carries it awau from the engine and the first chance it gets, usually a cat it is expelled. By doing that you can lower underhood tempatures a bit and gain power. 5 Horsepower on a v8 from coating headers inside and out may be a little generous. If you look at a full on race car rarely will you see coated headers. They are usually made out of unpolished stainless.

Guess the real question to ask yourself is there $200 worth of eye appeal and less work to keep them clean over the time you own the car. Don't count on a noticable horsepower gain form coatings.
No matter the header do yourself a favor if you are changing o2's use the old ones untill the headers are heat cycled a few times so the oils or coating surfaces are seasoned and don't trash your o2's.

just my 2 pennies