The jet Hot on mine at any place the coating has come off and started to rust the hand held temp gauge puts temps at 20-25* hotter where the rust is. they are 30 yrs old now.
I bought the ceramic header paint kit from Eastwood. Used it on my TA shortys and it lasted several years. Once it started to fail I sent them to JetHot
A couple more photos with better lighting. After 28 years installed here (anywhere pipes are close to each other) is where we find discoloration/damage to the chrome finish as indicated with yellow arrow and other yellow line work. In a humid environment (not northern central valley California) there might be additional damage.
The crappy chrome - I thought it was supposed to be ceramic . Never run, has spots all over but looks good at 7 - 10 feet! These are from the last group buy.
ceramic coating lowers the heat less then 10 degrees and adds no horsepower increase. good for looks and helps with rusting only.
OK, one more related question. I can go the TA + ceramic route for $860 or a set of Dougs (with ceramic) for $890, essentially the same. I am planning 1 5/8 primaries for TA, whereas the Dougs are 1 3/4, probably larger than necessary for a mild 350. What do you recommend - TA or Dougs?
Here is the difference ceramic makes: Accidentally brush up against a bare or chrome or stainless header and you just got yourself an instant burn, usually 2nd degree where the top layer of skin dies and peels off. Painful and slow to heal. Do the same thing with a ceramic coated header and you will most likely get by with a 1st degree burn. Like a bad sunburn but the skin will survive and it'll be gone in a couple of days. How much is that worth? I haven't measured the actual temperature difference but I suspect it's more than 10 degrees. What I do know is that in the 40+ years I have been running ceramic coated full fenderwell headers I have brushed against them quite a large number of times and gotten away with it so often I can't remember ever being seriously burned by them/ To me that counts for quite a lot. Jim
engine masters did the testing less then 10*. no hp increase. they also tested with header wraps and the wraps will keep the heat in the header and under hood cooler but also keep the moisture in.
I ran ceramic coated headers in the late 90's on my 5.0L Mustang. I noticed a huge difference in underhood temps on that car and it stopped melting spark plug wire boots too. Just food for thought. Underhood temps could be influenced by the vehicle itself too though. My Mustang had a much tighter and smaller compartment that a Skylark or GS. Jim
You just had to post that pic again, huh? LOL, I don't blame you. Best looking and sounding headers ever!
