I am getting some BBK 1 3/4 long tube headers and was wondering does it really matter whether you get ceramic or chrome, and if so, what is the main reason for getting one over the other.
Chrome is cheaper cause ceramic is better, the ceramic will stay looking new longer and there must be heat issues....the ceramic likely stays cooler or cools faster whatever it is supposed to do to make them better. I myself, would choose to save the money for other things and just go chrome, but ceramic is better it sure cost more.
Ditto - chrome will 'blue' quickly and eventually fail allowing corrosion to occur. Ceramic coating done well is virtually indestructible. Not only will they look good, they'll significantly reduce reflected heat - reducing underhood temps. I wouldn't even consider chrome headers - or chrome much-of-anything.
"get the chrome and then send them to JetHot to be coated."
Jet Hot told me that they charge more to coat chromed headers because of the extra steps (chemical processes) that must be taken to remove the chrome before blasting and ceramic coating. If you're gonna have them ceramic coated, get them either 1) bare steel, 2) stainless steel (like Ford Racing's), or 3) with the cheap black paint some manufacturer's use. The headers have to be blasted down to 'gray' steel before they can be coated and then baked. Get them coated on the inside too - costs very little more and helps keep heat in the exhaust gas.
I have BBK LT 1 5/8 chrome. They never really were really chrome, more like a really bright silver but anyways they are blue now. It's not a show car, it's about function over form anyways. Underhood temps arn't even as high as stock headers.
I also have a set of BBK shortie 1 5/8 ceramics sitting it the garage. (maby apart of a future turbo project) They were on a guy's car for about 1-2 years and the ceramic flaked off for the most part. If I do the turbo project before it is finished I will probally have them jet-hot coated because of the heat issues of a turbocharger. I could see on a dialy driver up North where corrosion is an issue, then I would definatly go ceramic.
Properly applied ceramic doesn't "flake off"; buyer beware - there are many people/companies that will mislead, unintentionally or otherwise, about the type of coating being used. JetHot is very reputable. There are local companies in different areas that can apply ceramic coatings as well. The steps involved usually include - cleaning/baking at high temps to remove greases/oils; particulate blasting inside and out to gray-metal finish; spray coating of ceramic product; baking at high temps to set/cure the coating; buffing/polishing after they come out of the oven to improve luster.
I must have gotten a bad set of shorty ceramic headers from BBK because I have had mine for 2 years and they are flaking bad and have rust spots on them.
I was planning on changing my exaust system anyway to long tubes and off-road pipes
Yeah - you kinda have to do some research. Ford Racing I believe uses JetHot to do their ceramic coating - you can count on those holding up real well.