TCB007

I'm sorry if thats your car but that is just NASTY! omg.. wtf happened? okok.. so some questions for all of you with DC Sports headers: 1) so is it pretty much unanimous that the ceramic header is better performance-wise (maybe even just because it retains heat better) 2) if you do have a stainless header how are you supposed to clean it so that it DOES NOT turn out like ImagePree's? 3) does the ceramic header retain its external appearance? 4) I've heard that the ceramic headers are more prone to cracking and stuff over time with age - true?
THANKS!

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T.C.B. CEO, President & Dictator
jason@driventoperform.ca

axngen

i've had my ceramic header for around 6/7 months now and it still looks the same as when i bought it. i've heard of them cracking..but i don't think it happens that often..

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99 5spd

xtal

The difference between the ceramic and stainless headers RE performance are negligible. It's more about weight savings than anything else.. and those aren't that much. As part of a bigger program though.. the only header and exhaust combo I've seen dynoed to make a difference is the Mugen, and that wasn't a lot - depends on your budget. If you're JUST doing exhaust and header for power, you're probably wasting your money. Go FI or upgrade cams (Type-S, Crower Stage I) and get Type-S pistons first.

The crap is caused by bits of oil and other junk getting over the header, which gets very, very, very hot. Even fingerprints will mess it up. To prevent this, just clean it with alcohol every now and then. I suspect giving it a good polish with Mother's or 3M metal polish (and then cleaning with alcohol) will also help.

I absolutely love the golden glow the SS headers get over time.

Steve

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...don't panic

tb3

Don't get a SS header. I have one and it looked so bad I sent it out and got it Jet-Hot coated. It looks awesome plus it has a 3 year warranty on it. So if starts to discolor to the point where it bothers me, I can send it back and they'll recoat it for free. Jet-Hot last longer and reduces heat under the hood by something like 30%-40%.

So this is what I'm suggesting...get a used DC header, SS or CC and send it out to get jet-hot coated. It cost me $180. It's worth it because of their warranty.

pIOUs

Look up a few thread and look at my header flange. I painted it with high temp paint (you can use clear), because people like ImagePree let on to the fact that the flange isn't stainless. Thanks!. Knowing that up front helped me prevent some of the ugliness. It was a PITA, because everything besides the pipes had to be painted. I also used an anti-bluing agent on the inside of the pipes. The primaries are bluing because I didn't coat it correctly. The layer I put was hella thick and probably flaked off, but I did the b-pipes the right way and they still have no bluing.