chrome headers?

I had about 5 exhaust systems on my 94Gt. The MAC LT chrome headers turned blue by the heads after 5 minutes. Was not happy about that. The best ones I bought were the Ceramic Long Tubes, those things were mint years later. Save yourself the blue headache.

Here they are, ceramic.

I actually like the chrome rainbow effect. I thought that was the one bonus with chrome headers.

I think there is a lot to be said about the use and maintenance of a car, along with the quality of the headers, and how long they will stay looking nice. If you drive your car in the rain/snow, chrome headers will likely start to rust and lose their finish quickly. If you only drive it in dry conditions and keep the engine bay clean and dry, and if you bought a quality set of headers, the chrome will probably last.

My BBK chrome headers looked good for a couple years, but eventually started to have small spots of rust. Then I wrapped them with thermal tape, so who knows what they look like now. There are still some areas of exposed chrome, and those look ok. Realize that I never drive the car in any sort of rain or snow, and I NEVER allow the engine bay to get wet.

That said, my next set of headers will be ceramic.

I've seen Mac ceramic coated long tubes rust. Don't ask me how but my buddy's GT has them and they're pretty rusty, and not "rusted where they were scratched" kind of rust.

Personally, the next set of headers i buy will likely be ceramic coated BBK full lengths, if not i may just go back to shorties and get Ford Racing stainless.

I just ordered my Ford Racing ceramic headers. I hope that stay somewhat decent looking for awhile. I hate the rust look!

85_SS_302_Coupe said:

I've seen Mac ceramic coated long tubes rust. Don't ask me how but my buddy's GT has them and they're pretty rusty, and not "rusted where they were scratched" kind of rust.

Click to expand...

The issue there is Mac quality, or lack thereof. I love the idea of a Pro-Chamber, but I'll never buy one because every Mac part I've ever bought has been crap.

I have had FRPP coated shorties on my 'vert for four years and they still look like the day I installed them.

I love how Mac cat backs sound, and i love how they install...contrary to everyone else's opinion i think they're the easiest exhaust on the market to install..i've literally installed their stuff with the car sitting on all 4 wheels...without jacking it up even. But yeah, their quality as far as coatings go is seriously lacking. My headers are pretty much all rust, but they still work and there are other things needing attention before i buy another set. I may just take them off and rattle can them with ceramic spray paint and see how long that holds up.

I have JBA ceramic coated, they are 3 yrs old and still look brand new and made of T304 stainless. The coating isn't rust proofing! If want a quality header that will not look like crap then buy quality. it comes down to the material used and is the leading cost factor and is why Kooks, JBA, bassani are a higher priced header for starters..T304 stainless. Ford racing is a great bang for the buck header and is made from 409 stainless ( the primary stainless used in exhaust making) has a higher carbon content so it will get some surface rust but that is about it. becareful about the word stainless, i just tried ( quickly I will add ) to look up the material used buy mac and bbk and didn't find much so this doesn't suprise me at all, punch in kooks, JBA and Ford racing and the stainless steel they use come right up..go figure.

there are grades of stainless T304 is better than 409, etc, etc, etc. the T304 isn't going to rust and will look brand new, it is harder to bend and work with so it cost more to pump out a part. the coating helps to scaveng and control heat buy keeping it in the header to help this effect and produce power. chrome doesn't belong on a header, it peels and is moslty found on steel headers. Go with what your budget will let you, but don't be surpised when a low cost haeder rusts, and a coated budget header doesn't mean it will not..it will. It all about the steel.