Ceramic or Stainless?

[elwaupo]

What is the better choice of header material for headers?

[camrat68]

Stainless is heavier and will last the life of the car but tend to discolor right around the head if you run on the lean side. Ceramic coatings on a steel header don't tend to discolor but do start to get "chalky" or dull looking if the car is exposed to the weather or not driven much. Ceramic will most likely last for a long time unless you run on the very lean side and will last longer if they are coated inside and out.
Honestly, I tend to change my mind after ten or twelve years about my combination and where I want to go with the car. I would say go with your favorite choice that fits your budget and you'll be fine.

Jim

[carbuff]

I didn't necessarily have a choice as to what material to use, but I did just have a set of headers ceramic coated, along with the entire exhaust. It looks great, and from the demonstration of the guy who did the work, should last me a pretty good while assuming I don't abuse it. I think you will probably come about close to even in terms of cost, given what I paid for the ceramic coating vs. using the SS material in the first place.

Here are a couple of pictures:

[elwaupo]

I didn't necessarily have a choice as to what material to use, but I did just have a set of headers ceramic coated, along with the entire exhaust. It looks great, and from the demonstration of the guy who did the work, should last me a pretty good while assuming I don't abuse it. I think you will probably come about close to even in terms of cost, given what I paid for the ceramic coating vs. using the SS material in the first place.

Here are a couple of pictures:

I really like your exhaust. I have another question, I'm going to cancel the stainless headers, I have 2 sets to choose from. First set are mid length with a 2.75" ID at the collector, the second set is 2.25 at the collector and look like the truck headers we see everywhere. Being a 69 Camaro, every header has that one pipe you have to beat up to clear the power steering box. I have a chance to get a set of Hooker long tubes for a steal and I can mount those, clear the steering box and send them off for the ceramic coating and come out ahead.

Now for the typical 3 bolt flange, I'm hearing a lot about different "ball type" mountings that don't leak. I've avoided headers for years because of the leaking issues. Any advice?

[carbuff]

We built these with the V-Band clamps instead of flanges. The 2 clamps on the headers are from a different manufacturer, but the rest of them use these:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-694300

One trick which I learned while Eric built these was to slip the flange onto the tube, leaving about 1/8" or so extended past the flange on one side, and on the other side to leave the flange extended off the pipe. This allows the two piece to interlock so that the flanges line up for the clamp, but you can still rotate them before tightening everything down. You can see it in this picture:



Note the pipe on the left extends out past the flange, while the pipe on the right is inset a little. That pipe lip slides into the right pipe, keeping the tubes aligned.

Ball flanges use 2 bolts and a special pair of pipe pieces which seal against each other when tightened down. Here is a picture:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/flo-15925/overview/

Hope this helps...
Bryan

[camrat68]

What engine do you have? Small block or Big Block? I have two sets of Hooker Super Comps for BBC that I don't need since I went with a set of Lemon's Headers.

Jim

[elwaupo]

Small block, darn! Actually mine isn't a fire breathing small block, around 300hp on a good day mated to a 700R4. I'm converting it to efi with a Pro-Flo efi and I figure I might as well install the headers to round out the package. I built this as a ground up restoration and did everything myself with a Painless wiring kit, Vintage Air and replaced every panel that had a hint of rust, Global West suspension and painted the 2 stage paint job myself. I also replaced the whole interior. I'm pulling 20 mpg, I'm going for a daily driver and why not, no sense in keeping it in the garage.

[camrat68]

That sounds like a really cool daily driver! I'm jealous but there's no way I could do that in Central WI more than three months out of the year. :D

[Rich@StainlessWorks]

It has always been stainless for me, but now I'm biased....