Jet Hot vs Ceramic Powder Coating

[McGyver]

I picked up a set of Racing Dynamics headers from the 2nd recent reproduction run. I'm worried that they'll rust after months/years of head cycles and exposure the elements. They're brand new and look great, and for the price I paid, I really want them to keep looking great.

My understanding is that both options are very durable, both will keep the headers looking great, both will have some impact on lowering under hood temps. Ceramic powder coating is usually applied to only the outside of the header and has the least impact on exhaust temps. HOWEVER, the guy down the street can do it and will be around $200. Jet hot seems like it's also a powder coating process, but they do internal and external. This may improve resistance to corrosion and has a bigger impact on reducing heat. The downside is that I have to ship my headers to them and they cost about double.

I'm mostly focused on cosmetics and want something that looks like regular steel. The Jet Hot marketing says that containing the heat will improve engine efficiency/power through improved exhaust scavenging, but I don't expect to get much gain on a mild NA stroker.

Is it worth doing a Jet Hot, or is any ceramic coating good enough?

[ehrawn]

“Worth it” is so subjective. Jet Hot offers a lifetime warranty and, like you mentioned, is applied to the inside- this means a lot for corrosion, heat reduction and exhaust flow. But it really depends on your application. Are you trying to squeeze out every oz of performance? Or do you jest want a little corrosion resistance?

[McGyver]

I want excellent corrosion resistance and for them to be cosmetically nice. These headers haven't been made in years, and likely won't be made again, so my goal is to be able to use them for decades without them rusting away.

I would expect any performance improvement to be marginal and view this as a secondary benefit.

[82eye]

the best thing for underhood temps is a header wrap. you lose the bling factor but anyone who actually knows will appreciate you did it right. i got a ceramic coat with the ie longtube and it could really use a wrap.

the bundle of snakes headers usually went with a wrap.

[AWDBOB]

Swain tech is the juice for heat mitigation but doesn’t look fancy. Jet Hot is good if you want it to look nice/warranty/corrosion resistance. Ceramic coat from the local powder guy does very little and doesn’t hold up long term in my experience

[McGyver]

Swain tech is the juice for heat mitigation but doesn’t look fancy. Jet Hot is good if you want it to look nice/warranty/corrosion resistance. Ceramic coat from the local powder guy does very little and doesn’t hold up long term in my experience

Thanks, this is the exact info I was looking for and aligns with what I've read online.

I'm 100% concerned with appearance and long-term preservation. Good to know ceramic coatings from the powder guys don't last.

Swain Tech's White Lightning may be amazing for heat, but its not the look I want and it's the most expensive. Wrapping is a great solution for heat, but it breaks down and will cause the metal to rust.

I'm heavily leaning towards paying a little extra to get it done by Jet Hot.

[2mAn]

Watching this space and then hoping someday that I can do it with the headers on my car... they are great looking headers and were left bare which means they are not looking so hot...

[82eye]

pay the bit more and do the jet hot

[reelizmpro]

I have done the Ceramic powder coating from Embee 15 years ago and it's held up fine. My JE custom pistons also have their coating on them.

[Digitalwave]

Jet Hot holds up pretty well, but it dulls a bit over time. It doesn't stay looking chrome like when you first get them. I didn't notice much if any difference as far as heat mitigation.

[digger]

swaintech or wrapped for heat control, the others are to make things look pretty and often dont last