Is ceramic coating on MAC LT's worth an extra $150?

[rockin_rick]

I've got some HTS coated MAC long tubes ordered (from TMP) on backorder right now. I am wondering if I should cancel the order before it gets shipped and replace it with the new ceramic coated LT's. I'm not sure if they (TMP) even have them, but if so, they probably would be about $150 more. Even if they don't, I could still cancel, and order the ceramics somewhere else.

Is the extra cost worth it? It's for my nice weather, 100% street car. I don't drive the car in the snow or salt ever, and only occasionally in the rain. I would expect the HTS's to get rusty looking and the ceramics to stay looking good. Perhaps the non bad weather conditions will allow the HTS ones to last a resonable amount of time? But, I don't care that much about how they would look, I would consider nice looking headers a 'bonus'. Maybe worth $50 more. So if there was $100 worth of other 'pluses' for the ceramic setup, I'd go for it.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[HazMat404]

well i just put on some LT's that were on a daily driven fox for about 2 years. they were the hts coated i think. they were rusty but i dont give a flying what my headers look like. they will rust up a lil bit but its your choice. some will say yes and others will say dont waste your money....you can tell me vote

 

[Killer95Stang]

I got my MAC Ceramic coated LT's a few weeks ago... and to be honest.. its way worth it... I was replacing HTS coated shorties which had no rust on them (CA car)... but still the look is just killer... If you want a good deal.. I paid $300.00 for my Ceramic Coated MAC's shipped to my door.. I bought them from a guy I found on the corral.. Apperently he is the owner of Pacifica Mustang parts.. and wants to get rid of all his stock.. email him at [email protected] for any MAC product... You can't beat his prices...!!!

 

[95BLKGT5.0]

I have MAC Ceramic coated LT's and love them. It is worth the extra money but it was not an extra $150 it was $90 (But I got mine from a exhaust dealer $249)

 

[RydeOn]

Jet hot sells the mac long tubes with real coating already done. Might wanna check them out, I know they price pretty fairly.

 

[BlueOvalStangGT]

couldnt you just paint em with some high temp paint? thats what i plan on doing

 

[GTJake]

That's what I did...

Jake

 

[gcomfx.com]

That's what I did...

Jake

Very

 

[Dan95-5.0]

i plan on buying Mac Long tubes ceramic coated. i emailed jet hot and the price was pretty much double the price.

I heared that Mac is going to offer ceramic coated soon. dont know for sure tho, maybe just a rumor.

95BLKGT5.0- do you have a link the company you got yours from? maybe interested.

 

[rockin_rick]

I know that ceramic coated is really better, but is it really necessary? Is there any thing really bad about the HTS coated ones?

Rick

 

[94GTLaserRC]

The Ceramic ones are worth it. I got my FMS shorties for $100 more than non coated. I got them in 1996, and they still look brand new. The coating also helps keep the heat out of the engine bay. They are kind of an insulation.
Ask Jose what happens when you paint the headers. Also, paint does NOT insulate!
RC

 

[Killer95Stang]

i plan on buying Mac Long tubes ceramic coated. i emailed jet hot and the price was pretty much double the price.

I heared that Mac is going to offer ceramic coated soon. dont know for sure tho, maybe just a rumor.

95BLKGT5.0- do you have a link the company you got yours from? maybe interested.

MAC is already selling the Ceramic Coated Headers.. Read my post above, where I said I paid $300.00 for my MAC LT's, that came ceramic coated... Brand NEW IN THE BOX...

 

[GTJake]

MAC is already selling the Ceramic Coated Headers.. Read my post above, where I said I paid $300.00 for my MAC LT's, that came ceramic coated... Brand NEW IN THE BOX...

That's an awesome deal considering I paid $240 for mine without the ceramic coating.

Jake

 

[StangJonGT]

Can't you get your headers wrapped too? My friend just put a header on his MR2, and it has some sort of wrap on it; it looks almost like a cast wrap (for a broken bone). Anyway, I thought the idea was to draw heat out of the engine bay and keep it in the header. Anybody?

Jon

 

[AznStanger3v]

i think ceramic coating isnt necessary. HTS works fine. Just remember, they are headers. they are buried under all sorts of **** and on the sides of the engine. that extra money could go towards another part.

And that wrap that you are talking about, I heard about it. We have it for our intakes and such. I dont know exactly how it works, but its supposed to dispel heat somehow. ?????? Who knows?

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Can't you get your headers wrapped too? My friend just put a header on his MR2, and it has some sort of wrap on it; it looks almost like a cast wrap (for a broken bone). Anyway, I thought the idea was to draw heat out of the engine bay and keep it in the header. Anybody?

Jon

I dont know of ANYONE here that has wrapped them. The concept is good, but who wants dirty, wet, old smelly header wrap sitting on the headers rotting away at the metal


RC

 

[StangJonGT]

Hmm...I'll have to ask what his are. They don't seem to smell or rot, and I live in the Northwest.


Jon

 

[red94fiveo]

That's what I did...

Jake

The underside of your car is WAY too clean. Its depressing me!

 

[331 cobra]

The problem with header wrap is that it traps the heat in the tubing. It will get really hot. This extra heat in the tube will accelerate the rusting process. Also, heat cycling your headers to 1200 degrees will weaken the metal.

The ceramic coatings reflect the heat back in to the exhaust gasses. The tube does not heat up as much as a plain steel header, and a lot less than a wraped header. Also the coating is a barrier that oxygen can't get through, so the steel won't rust untill the coating is chipped or scratched.

I think the coatings and wraps might give you a bit more power from the lower under hood temps, but for a street car, painted steel is better than a wrap, and ceramic will last longer and look better than both.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

The problem with header wrap is that it traps the heat in the tubing. It will get really hot. This extra heat in the tube will accelerate the rusting process. Also, heat cycling your headers to 1200 degrees will weaken the metal.

The ceramic coatings reflect the heat back in to the exhaust gasses. The tube does not heat up as much as a plain steel header, and a lot less than a wraped header. Also the coating is a barrier that oxygen can't get through, so the steel won't rust untill the coating is chipped or scratched.

I think the coatings and wraps might give you a bit more power from the lower under hood temps, but for a street car, painted steel is better than a wrap, and ceramic will last longer and look better than both.

WERD!!!!!!!!