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View Full Version : Ceramic Coating or New Cats


chocco
28-10-2011, 07:15 PM
Need some help please in regards to power increases, etc.

Just managed to pick up a set of brand new HM Headers 2 1/4 Shortys for my Cross 8 which will bolt up to the original cats. I have run out of funds so I have a choice.

1) Ceramic coat the headers and use original cats.

2) Leave headers untouched and get a new set of high flow cats and connecting pipes.

Which of these will give me the most real world benefit remembering that the whale is used primarily for towing around 2300kg.

I know the coating will deliver less heat to the engine bay but the cats will give me even better flow. Exhaust is staying stock for the time being, this will be done next year.
calais190
28-10-2011, 07:54 PM
High flow cats. A noticeable bang for buck. Depending on what headers you have, you might be able to throw some heat shield over them if you're concerned about engine bay temps for relatively low money.
white lie
29-10-2011, 10:19 AM
Power increase will come from the cats, not HPC... But its a lot easier to coat the headers before you put them in and change the cats later rather than pull them out to get them coated when funds become available.

But there's plenty of people getting around with uncoated pipes, making good power. More of an icing on the cake thing IMO.
TommyVTss
29-10-2011, 10:47 AM
Cats no doubt, **** the bling for now

Tom
amckiwi
29-10-2011, 11:06 AM
Coat now save up for cats

I would always regret not having the coating done and is a hassle to do later

Stu
IJ.
29-10-2011, 11:46 AM
Where is the PCM mounted on your car Marc?
(I could get you a quote from my coater but he's not "cheap" in your favour is how small your headers are)

Strictly from a performance PoV the Cats will be much better bang for the $ but I agree on the PITA to Coat after fitting and much easier to change Cats once the $ becomes available.
BLACK 346
29-10-2011, 11:56 AM
Go the Cats mate. I have Ceramic Coated paceys and they still get pretty bloody hot. I may be wrong, but I am not convinced on how effective ceramic coating is on reducing heat under the bonnet. Happy to be proven wrong though.
TommyVTss
29-10-2011, 12:00 PM
Go the Cats mate. I have Ceramic Coated paceys and they still get pretty bloody hot. I may be wrong, but I am not convinced on how effective ceramic coating is on reducing heat under the bonnet. Happy to be proven wrong though.

I agree mine still get effin hot, I think it's more cosmetic, but as you said happy for someone to chime in with some info

Tom
IJ.
29-10-2011, 12:03 PM
Go the Cats mate. I have Ceramic Coated paceys and they still get pretty bloody hot. I may be wrong, but I am not convinced on how effective ceramic coating is on reducing heat under the bonnet. Happy to be proven wrong though.

A lot depends on the type of coating and how it's applied, my guy does a triple coat, inside and out with Ceramic, which is blasted to key the surface then an etch coat of Black heat dispersant again lightly blasted and a top coat of Turbo X.

On the old Turbo I-6 after a hard pull you could shut it down pop the bonnet and touch the Header, there was no way you could do the same with the Cam covers.

http://ij.supramania.com/public/prog192.jpg

http://ij.supramania.com/public/prog193.jpg
BLACK 346
29-10-2011, 12:07 PM
A lot depends on the type of coating and how it's applied, my guy does a triple coat, inside and out with Ceramic, which is blasted to key the surface then an etch coat of Black heat dispersant again lightly blasted and a top coat of Turbo X.

On the old Turbo I-6 after a hard pull you could shut it down pop the bonnet and touch the Header, there was no way you could do the same with the Cam covers.

http://ij.supramania.com/public/prog192.jpg

http://ij.supramania.com/public/prog193.jpg

Now that is some effective heat coating. With mine, if you start the car and back it out of the shed, shut it down (approx 15-20 secs running), then put your hand in to pull a plug lead off you will end up with a 3rd degree burn on the back on your hand. I have the scar to prove it :lol:
IJ.
29-10-2011, 12:12 PM
LOL sorry but yeah understand "scars" ;)

Single Ceramic coat on the outside was about the same for me :(

Tried a bunch of different things to reduce underhood temps, biggest fail for me was heat wrap, it seemed to radiate and made working on the car a misery..
TommyVTss
29-10-2011, 12:12 PM
Yep mine melted a rag after about 20 secs of running tried to wipe some oil off the header,

What kinda $ that coating set you back?

Tom
IJ.
29-10-2011, 12:15 PM
Yep mine melted a rag after about 20 secs of running tried to wipe some oil off the header,

What kinda $ that coating set you back?

Tom

I'd have to get a "real price" as the coater is a mate of 25+ years and does mates rates for me :)
BLACK 346
29-10-2011, 12:45 PM
LOL sorry but yeah understand "scars" ;)

Single Ceramic coat on the outside was about the same for me :(

Tried a bunch of different things to reduce underhood temps, biggest fail for me was heat wrap, it seemed to radiate and made working on the car a misery..

Yeah, caught me by surprise. Looks a lot better than my ceramic as well imo, I do like the black look though.
IJ.
29-10-2011, 12:48 PM
Yeah, caught me by surprise. Looks a lot better than my ceramic as well imo, I do like the black look though.

Reread my post above and it might be a little misleading, what I meant is after 5 > 10 minutes shut down you can comfortably place your hand on the header pipe next to the exhaust port but you'll get burnt by the Cam Cover!!

Yeah I really like the Black, he also does a Polished Silver but it's just too bling for me!
white lie
29-10-2011, 04:52 PM
Mines the same as the pics, they were around the $400 mark for the pair of 1 7/8" Pacies.
Same deal, any colour available but mine are matte black also.
chocco
30-10-2011, 01:02 PM
Thanks everyone.

Will most likely go the cats can get Chev to throw them on at the same time as he puts the shortys on.

After the tune, more power less effort, less heat. Well sounds good anyways.
rumbles
30-10-2011, 09:29 PM
I've used the wrap before, cheaper option than ceramic coat, but you're always having to check it's tight, and once it starts coming undone it's a pain to fix up.
Wonky
30-10-2011, 10:02 PM
Just to throw a spanner in the works, I gather it is a fair bit more expensive to coat headers once they've been on compared to new. I had my 1 7/8" Pacies done by the mob in Leongatha while they were off for the DOD delete and almost 18 months ago they cost me (from memory) $460 which I'm sure is more than it costs to get new headers done.
rumbles
30-10-2011, 10:09 PM
That would make sense as they have to clean them up and prepare the surface for the ceramic to take to - same as you would for painting.
chocco
07-11-2011, 06:28 PM
Thanks everyone for your help and the plan of attack is, over the next few months, as the grey nurses slowly flow in. Gotta do the exhaust and tune on the missus car as well, shes crackin it.

Step 1, Get headers coated

Step 2, Get headers fitted.

Step 3 Get a set set of pipes and cats made up flanged at the input to the cat and output of the cat, in a 2.5 inch. But not fitted.

Step 4, Take new pipes as they are now flanged and not on the car down to get coated.

Step 5, Fit new coated pipes and cats.


Will take a bit longer but it will be done right and get the heat all the way out of the engine bay, just have to put the full tune off a bit longer.