Headers - Raw v. Chrome v. Ceramic

I need to purchase headers for the 350 in the GS I am restoring. My last GS had ceramic coated headers. They looked nice even after many miles and heat cycles. Talked to TA today, seems they are out of stock on chrome, but do have raw available. I am not in a hurry and can wait on the chrome, but I am concerned about the long term appearance due to discoloration and tarnishing. I am thinking about getting the raw and having them ceramic coated, although I haven't priced that out.

Thoughts? Other options?

 

My chrome T/As are now 28 years old and still totally acceptable; call them "pleasing" to the eye when viewed from below or above. I also never drive in the rain, so there is "that."

 

Full length 1 7/8 I Stainless Steel hooker ls headers $1200 for GM A body

 

Go jet hot.

 

TA will ship to jet hot, and then jet hot will ship to you. That's what I did with TA

 

What was the JetHot cost?

 

Jan of 2022 I paid $462. (What a coincidence) for satin silver

 

The difference in chrome vs raw from TA is about $150-$180. So another $300 to get jet hot.

 

I took a set of used 350 headers to the local ceramic coaters and got them blasted and black ceramic coated for $350. Big block would be more but I'm thinking of pulling the chrome MT repros off this winter and having them done in silver. Mine had an unfortunate incident with a shopping bag that blew under my car and melted to the header.

 

My Jet Hot lasted 25 years

 

In addition to appearance Jet Hot will reduce underhood temps over raw, painted or chrome.

 

I use Rustoleum grill paint, 8 bucks a can, use about a can and a half

 

I think any ceramic coating will help with that. Silver is probably better at reflecting though.

 

What did GSCA use on their later repros?

 

A really crappy chrome

 

It looks good @ 7-10 feet away though ...............

 

That looks ok. Is it? Mine were from the first run. I also see the “box” part of the collector doesn’t have the waves in the sheet metal.

 

Also remember having fitment issues. Mainly at the crossmember. Had to heat the tubes up to bend down the huge collector.

 

Buy far the best sounding headers ever. Really got a lot of compliments on it. Think I ran the 608S cam with them.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. I found a local shop that will do the ceramic coating for $300. On top of the $560 for the raw from TA, that puts the total at $860, vs the $685 for chrome from TA. Need to give that some serious thought. Is $175 more worth it for ceramic over chrome. Hmmm...