Topic: Bought some Borla Headers

[chrisfranklin]

I saw it mentioned somewhere that they were using JetHot and said they applied two coats.  Once I get it on there I'll see how it goes in terms of cooling.  right now though, I'd be satisfied if it at least didn't peel/burn off.

[chrisfranklin]

I've seen a few pictures of the pacesetter headers showing rust through the ceramic coating. 



My guess is the shiny ones I just got will probably do the same thing if they hold together long enough.  Anybody ever tried adding additional ceramic coating over an existing ceramic header coating.  I figure you just prep the surface and use the same brand as the factory originally did.

[Jeffy]

I've seen a few pictures of the pacesetter headers showing rust through the ceramic coating. 



My guess is the shiny ones I just got will probably do the same thing if they hold together long enough.  Anybody ever tried adding additional ceramic coating over an existing ceramic header coating.  I figure you just prep the surface and use the same brand as the factory originally did.

Judging by the pattern of the rust it looks like the coating cooked off leaving near bare metal in spots which allowed rust to form.

[chrisfranklin]

I saw that photo in the top post at LS1 forum http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-external-engine/1232028-pacesetter-headers-poor-quality-warranty.html.  There's a few others pictures also. 

From what I read elsewhere, the black paint that goes on the pacesetter headers is supposedly there to prevent rust during shipping   

Rust doesn't bother me too much.  Holes and cracks do.

[Jeffy]

I saw that photo in the top post at LS1 forum http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-external-engine/1232028-pacesetter-headers-poor-quality-warranty.html.  There's a few others pictures also. 

From what I read elsewhere, the black paint that goes on the pacesetter headers is supposedly there to prevent rust during shipping   

Rust doesn't bother me too much.  Holes and cracks do.

Well once the finish cooks off it will turn a nice even brown.

[chrisfranklin]

Still kind of makes me wonder if I just should have bought the standard black painted jobs, stripped the paint, paid the $200 for the inside/outside coating done at JetHot, then got them back and put them in.  Total would have been under $400.  Still haven't installed the factory ceramic coated version I have, so not really to late to change course.

Of course, I can't say that getting the JetHot people to do the coating would be enough to block the rust that would still probably show on mild steel tubing that got abraded by gravel or whatever. 

Since the header options for the 4banger are pretty limited right now, who here's going to step up and blow the cash to get Borla (Edelbrock, or somebody else) to make a custom long tube stainless set for the 4banger?     Then everybody can maybe pay less to get copies made.  No takers 

[Jeffy]

Still kind of makes me wonder if I just should have bought the standard black painted jobs, stripped the paint, paid the $200 for the inside/outside coating done at JetHot, then got them back and put them in.  Total would have been under $400.  Still haven't installed the factory ceramic coated version I have, so not really to late to change course.

Of course, I can't say that getting the JetHot people to do the coating would be enough to block the rust that would still probably show on mild steel tubing that got abraded by gravel or whatever. 

Since the header options for the 4banger are pretty limited right now, who here's going to step up and blow the cash to get Borla (Edelbrock, or somebody else) to make a custom long tube stainless set for the 4banger?     Then everybody can maybe pay less to get copies made.  No takers 

Banks still makes them from what I understand.

[chrisfranklin]

Banks still makes them from what I understand.

That's true

[chitchc2]

I just installed a brand new banks header on my rig. Summit has them in stock.

[chrisfranklin]

I got the Rustys (Pacesetter Ceramic coated) installed today.  So far, engine seems like it's idling more quietly and the initial high idle (about 1300 for a couple of minutes after startup) seems like it's gone.  Maybe there was something going on with the old gasket/manifold that I hadn't identified. 

I didn't have a chance to really lay in to it, but it did seem like it was running a little easier around town -- not as deep in to the gas pedal and all that.

[chrisfranklin]

Judging by the pattern of the rust it looks like the coating cooked off leaving near bare metal in spots which allowed rust to form.

Looking at this photo again, I saw little, what looked like fabric threads on the header in the photo.  Looks like maybe the guy had heat wrap on there. 

[chrisfranklin]

Looking at this photo again, I saw little, what looked like fabric threads on the header in the photo.  Looks like maybe the guy had heat wrap on there. 

Exhaust wrap gets wet maybe not to long before the driver turns off the engine.  The ceramic header perhaps cools faster than uncoated steel versions so there's no heat remaining to maybe steam-off the "wrap-trapped" water with the engine.  Then oxygen in the water has plenty of time to react with the mild steel and rust starts forming. 

Me, I don't plan to wrap these headers, that's for sure.  But, i still suspect rust will make an appearance sooner or later. 

[Jeffy]

If you live in a rust belt then for sure, do not swap them.  They trap moisture and hold it against the metal.  The coating will eventually cook off if it's not on thick enough.  This happens with aluminized coatings which is really aluminum paint.  Better to have them uncovered so you can see when they rust.

[sharpxmen]

Looking at this photo again, I saw little, what looked like fabric threads on the header in the photo.  Looks like maybe the guy had heat wrap on there. 

those "fabric" threads are off some sealing he put in where the clamp goes on - you can also see it thru the cut on the OD pipe.

[chrisfranklin]

I'd been driving around with the new headers on for a few days, but performance seemed to be off.  Then noticed coolant reservoir was down and saw coolant on the ground. 

Saw that a leak was coming from the heater hoses, not the water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.  When the radiator was changed recently, the old, probably 17  year old hoses were apparently kept...

Replaced the heater hoses/clamps and coolant leaks seemed to have ceased over the last week, but I am still keeping an eye on the cooling system in general. 

Engine seems to have finally woken up after the cooling system was restored to order.   The highway-speed torque I was looking for with the headers seems to finally have come on-line.