What's the difference between ceramic and stainless headers (other than the price obviously)? Which one is better from a performance perspective? Why?

Which one is better from a long-term (long-lasting perspective)?



Injen CAI, Crawford Plenum, Stillen Exhaust
<font color=blue>GroundingGear™ Equipped</font color=blue>

 

The ceramic coating is probably applied to a mild steel header. The ceramic coating can crack --it could be cracked when you get it-- and the mild steel header will rust. As the header deteriorates from rust, it is more likely to crack as a result of work-hardening (from expansion and contraction of heating and cooling cycles.)

Stainless steel will not rust. No worries about a ceramic coating to crack. I also think stainless steel is less likely to crack due to work-hardening than mild steel.

As long as the ceramic coating lasts, you may get better performance out of a coated header. The ceramic coating will not allow the header to radiate as much heat as an uncoated header. With less heat in the engine compartment, the engine will produce more power.

In the long run, stainless steel is probably your most economical choice. But if performance is key, buy the coated headers and plan to replace them whenever they crack.

'03 G35 5AT Sedan, Garnet Fire/Willow
Staggered 18" SSR GT1/Bridgestone PP S03's
Eibach Springs & Anti-Sway, Stillen 2-pc B Brakes
Stillen SS Cat-Back Dual Exhaust System

 

Having worked with many a hot rod, I would recommend SS headers with a Jet Hot coating.

$.02 worth... -T


'03 Sedan 5a: BS/G, Prem, Aero/Body, Sport, Nav
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Hmmm... Sounds like the best of both worlds. Thanks.

'03 G35 5AT Sedan, Garnet Fire/Willow
Staggered 18" SSR GT1/Bridgestone PP S03's
Eibach Spring/Anti-Sway, Stillen 2-pc Big Brake Kit
Stillen SS Cat-Back Dual Exhaust System

 

bullseye.... what about wrapping your stainless steel headers with that one thermal header wrap... i've seen it done before but was skeptical on if it actually worked.

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c-6MT-DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust/350Z-intake

 

I don't have headers, and I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. I just passed-on my second-hand knowledge on this point. As far as your suggestion goes, I think that's a good idea. I hear the wrap works well, if you can keep it on the pipes. Probably a lot less expensive than having a coating applied, too.

'03 G35 5AT Sedan, Garnet Fire/Willow
Staggered 18" SSR GT1/Bridgestone PP S03's
Eibach Spring/Anti-Sway, Stillen 2-pc Big Brake Kit
Stillen SS Cat-Back Dual Exhaust System

 

The only thing about stainless is that they create higher under hood temperatures, unless they have some sort of ceramic/jet hot coating. I don't think any of the ss headers for our vehicles have a coating (but I'm not positive, either).

'03.5 Silver AT Sedan, Premium, Aero Kit/Package, Sport, Winter, Stillen Air Box, Z pipe, Polk Tweeters, Clifford RSX 3.5, Gram Light 57F Pro's (on the way), Hotchkis sways