[racing] Ceramic Coating 5.3L Headers/Downpipes

Rebuilding my motor, a few people have mentioned getting the
cast iron headers coated, and the downpipe
One story goes that you coat the headers and then they
crack, has anybody actually had a header crack or better
still got them coated and then they cracked ?

Another story is that its all smoke and mirrors and you are
doing it for looks.

Do any of you racing guys have an opinion ?

Swain Tech will ‘‘White Lightning’’ the inside and outside of
the 5.3L headers, downpipes, and then remove the liner from
my wallet. Sure sounds good.

I guess the question really is, does the operating temp drop
enough under the hood to make it worthwhile, or yes the
temperature would drop due to the mere existence of the
coating, but the effect is negligible

Am I wasting my money guys ?

Cheers–
1987 XJ-S, 1988 XJ-S Tremec TK500. AJ6 Torque kit
Toronto, Canada
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In reply to a message from Repairman sent Mon 6 May 2013:

Did you ever see an f1 or wrc or whatever race car with
coated exhaust/headers/manifolds? I know I didn’t.–
'91 xjs v12 5.3 early facelift in BRG
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In reply to a message from Repairman sent Mon 6 May 2013:

So either I’m blind or these coatings
people have some special fluid dynamics
analysis software that even nasa doesn’t
know about. Only reason I’d have anything
coated is for looks and maybe just maybe
to keep the mufflers from rusting through
too soon. Unless you get stainless ones
of course.–
'91 xjs v12 5.3 early facelift in BRG
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In reply to a message from Pele sent Mon 6 May 2013:

To be honest, not looked at any racing cars to see what they
have done, but I have seen coated header on vehicles

I understand the looks thing–
The original message included these comments:

know about. Only reason I’d have anything
coated is for looks and maybe just maybe


1987 XJ-S, 1988 XJ-S Tremec TK500. AJ6 Torque kit
Toronto, Canada
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In reply to a message from Repairman sent Mon 6 May 2013:

Ceramic will hold the heat in, & reduce the outside exhaust temp.
Cracking occurs if you coat, then wrap a coated pipe. Ceramic plus
fiberglass heat wrap crystallizes steel tubing. I’ve seen this
first hand, but can not comment on ceramic plus wrap effects on
cast. Additional theory - keeping heat in, keeps exhaust molecules
excited and moving faster to the exit.

Swain has and excellent reputation - no personal experience here.
I’ve used ‘‘jet hot’’. I hear they have new owners. Good experience
in the past with them. I have a local source now. Ceramic coated
my entire system headers to and including mufflers.–
The original message included these comments:

One story goes that you coat the headers and then they
crack, has anybody actually had a header crack or better


Clyde, '77 XJ12L
Canton, OH, United States
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In reply to a message from Clyde77XJ12L sent Sat 22 Jun 2013:

I have swain tech coatings on my cast exhaust manifolds for
16yrs, still look like new, wether engine makes more power
donno, but sure looks better than any paint or any other
coatings.

also had cylinder heads, ports,valves, along with piston
tops, coated,never had the engine apart to see how its
going, but still runs perfect.

I think it cant hurt to do it!

my desicion to have it done 16yrs back, was dreaded valve
seaat drop, from over heating problems known for V12 jags,

after examining exhaust ports,it seemed that it was to
long, and combustion exhaust thru port put a lot heat into
the cooling jacket, and caused a localized heat into seat
area, aluminum expanded and seat loosened up and dropped
down ,then the sh#t really hit the fan, major expense!

better safe than sorry, its only money, and thats just
paper.–
The original message included these comments:

Ceramic will hold the heat in, & reduce the outside exhaust temp.
cast. Additional theory - keeping heat in, keeps exhaust molecules
excited and moving faster to the exit.
Swain has and excellent reputation - no personal experience here.


Ronbros
daytona fl. / Austin TX., United States
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In reply to a message from Repairman sent Mon 6 May 2013:

I have a set of high temp ceramic coated(I would have to confirm
actual process) cast iron exhaust manifolds I had done for a racing
engine I was building but never completed. They are still wrapped
up as returned from the coating company.
If interested in purchasing them I can dig them out of storage in
the next week or so.
Jordymkv–
Jordymk5
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