Ceramic Coated or Chrome

[83GtConvert]

Im looking to do a dual exhaust conversion in my 83 vert and im looking at the bbk shorties as headers. Is the ceramic coating worth the extra hundred dollars instead of the chrome??????? or does anyone know where to get them cheaper than summit, everywhere else ive checked out seems to be more expensive... Help is needed

EDIT: BTW Cash is low if you didnt realize that already

 

[Rick 91GT]

Ceramic Coating will last and look great for years...

 

[ss93cobra]

How much was the ceramic ones from Summit? Mac ones are just shy of $200 where I buy them from. - the shorty, non equal length style...

 

[criticman]

Summit is generally the cheapest, especially when you take into account for shipping.

And ceramic is the way to go...finish will last longer and it will be so nice since the heat will be held in where it belongs...

 

[302GT]

I bought my ceramic coated bbk's from summit for 250.The chrome ones will turn colors as they heat up and cool down,get that purple look.

 

[83GtConvert]

How much was the ceramic ones from Summit? Mac ones are just shy of $200 where I buy them from. - the shorty, non equal length style...

i heard alot of bad reviews about the mac headers

 

[jb89coupe]

i heard alot of bad reviews about the mac headers

I had a set of mac equal length shorties on the car, they fit great and it was still pretty easy to change the plugs. Now I have a set of mac longtubes.. had to dent one of the tubes to fit around the steering shaft, and they were a pain to get on (good luck finding a set of longtubes that isn't). But as far as fit and performance goes, I'm happy with them.

 

[allcarfan]

to cure blue'ing' headers (chrome), bikers rinse the inside of their new headers with some special solvent, and then bake them. it creates a thermal barrier fromt he inside of the header and keeps the heat in and will not let the headers turn blue. Unfortunately, I cannot remember what the stuff is called. maybe a few searches on some bike sites would turn something up.

 

[Henceforward]

Ceramic in the long run is better.

I should have bought ceramic headers. My purple blue chrome BBK shorties look like trash. Live and learn.

The plugs are not hard to change on shorties, and the install was easier than what I have heard about the longtubes.

 

[Curse]

I should have bought ceramic headers. My purple blue chrome BBK shorties look like trash. Live and learn.

The plugs are not hard to change on shorties, and the install was easier than what I have heard about the longtubes.

 

[Insane3D]

One other thing to consider is that not all ceramic coatings are created equal. I have the older BBK ceramic shorties, before they came with a one piece flange, and the collectors are almost totally rusted out after about 4-5 years.

To be fair, BBK has probably improved since then, and I do drive the car year round up here, so it has to deal with road salt. However, I spent the extra $$ this time and went with the Ford Racing ceramic headers. The headers themselves are stainless steel, and the coating is true Jet Hot, and comes with paperwork from Jet Hot and a lifetime guarantee...

Sometimes it's better to spend a little more to avoid hassles down the road. Another option you could do is to get a set of chrome headers, or even the plain uncoated SS Ford Racing headers, and send them to Jet Hot to be coated inside and out.

Good luck!

 

[83GtConvert]

Thanks to all that have given a responce, anyone else have suggestions

 

[Rick 91GT]

We've had a set of the Ford Racing Ceramics for over 8 years now and they still looks new. Just keep them clean and waxed...

 

[Insane3D]

We've had a set of the Ford Racing Ceramics for over 8 years now and they still looks new. Just keep them clean and waxed...

???

I'm not aware of any wax that would last more than a second on those headers once you started it. Am I missing something?

 

[DarkMesa8]

Turtle Wax, duh (j/k)

As far as Mac's, the three pairs I've owned have always fit very well. The problem is their individual flanges, they will warp and you probably will need a pry bar after a few off and ons. But as far as clearance, they've been fine for me.

 

[Rick 91GT]

The wax actually helps keep them clean or clean them, it burns off quickly.

HPC actually sells a cleaner as well for ceramic.

I used wax of MAC chrome tailpipes as well, keeps the chrome looking new and lasting. I found it worked better then any chrome cleaner...

 

[83GtConvert]

mac's are good headers? how is the HTS coating???

 

[Rick 91GT]

mac's are good headers? how is the HTS coating???

I haven't had too many issues with MAC headers but a few sets I have had the HTS come off. I used some DEI paint to tocuh it up and it it held up nice. I would always opt for a ceramic header/coated header or stainless if possible, last longer and look better

 

[83GtConvert]

if i got the hts, and painted it up with some high heat paint (what type of paint to use) or somethign of that sort would it work as good as cermic coating. long tubes are expensive

 

[ss93cobra]

I'd avoid the hts coating and step up to the ceramic personally.