headers

wmnewlife

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Anyone had any experience with Vintage BMW Source headers? They seem to be a bargain at $420 (add $140 for ceramic coating)
 
OK next question. What about stainless vs ceramic? Is there a major heat benefit or any other reason to go ceramic? And then what about the rest of the exhaust system? Stainless steel preferred. Thanks Walter
 
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pretty sure you can ceramic coat stainless steel, but you should check with the supplier.

Benefits from ceramic coatings:

Performance boost - thermodynamic efficiency
Keep the engine bay cooler
Protect the metal underneath from corrosion
Looks good

http://www.jet-hot.com/
lots of information on this website, good supplier too.

cheaper to get a new header coated. Old rusted headers have to be cleaned and blasted inside and out for proper coating, but they can do that too.
 
Looks like the Ireland engineering will be the one. Are there any less costly alternatives from the headers back to the CoupeKing system?
 
+1
a thumbs up for Jet-Hot ceramic coating. I sent in a crusty used set (unknown brand) and they came out great. Quick turnaround, and the headers get ID number stamped by J-H for their guarantee if ever needed.

I am a happy customer.

-shanon
 
Thermodynamics of ceramic painting

Can someone explain to me how "thermodynamic efficiency" is improved by ceramic coating the exhaust system?

How does this decrease interior cabin temperature (if at all)?

Do I need to de install the exhaust system to paint?

What prep is needed?
 
I have tried ceramic coating before and it didn't make any measurable difference to temperatures. It's an expensive way to get a nice finish on your exhaust in my opinion.
 
Hi Stan,

I have my header ceramic coated on my roadster. It just means that the exhaust gas heat doesn't transfer as easily to the steel piping - and hopefully goes out the exhaust pipe instead of into your cabin.

Cheers
James
 
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thermodynamic efficiency

The internal combustion engine is a fancy air pump and follows the Otto cycle for the pressure vs volume relationship. in such a cycle the cooler the intake vs the hotter the exhaust will increase the thermodynamic efficiency of the cycle = more power. The hot exhaust flows better and faster through the hotter pipe.

Racers have been using exhaust tape for many years to keep the heat of the exhaust in the pipe. The tape is good for a couple of horse power, but causes all kinds of other problems (overheated metal, cracks, traps water) and is just not worth the problems on a street car.

Ceramic coating a header will also keep the heat of the exhaust in the pipe without all of the bad problems of the tape. They coat the inside and outside of the pipe so that the metal is well protected.
 
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