When the Hondata gasket comes out which should be very soon since they have enough TSX for test fit, I'm thinking about ceramic coating for my intake manifold, which also recommended by Hondata for maximum heat reduction. I originally was going to make my own heatshield for blocking hot air from the radiator, but this ceramic coating should work better to lower intake air temp.

Here is a link. The site design is horrible but it has enough links for info.

 

The price is right but if it were me I would probably just buy some ceramic coated 4-2-1 headers. It's probably $400 more than just having the OEM headers coated but you'd pick up a few extra hp.

 

Yes Dan, you are correct that header comes with the ceramic coating. I'm thinking about ceramic coating the intake manifold.

 

well that's different

 

how about some insulating wrap instead?

 

Wrapping might work but for a few more $, the coating has a much cleaner look and better coverage and never have to redo.

 

What material are most CAIs made from? If they are already some type of plastic or fiberglass, then they should provide decent insulation. Aluminum would transfer heat like crazy though.

<Edit, I know you are talking about the intake manifold, but the CAI benefits from better insulation too>

 

hey jtso when u do this let me know and ill go with u we live in the same area we can take one of my beaters and drop off both manifolds and see if we can get a better price

 

my 2cents:
i don't think this would be very cost effective. if you already have CAI, then you've already dropped temp of intake air. i think ceramic coating the intake manifold is not gonna prevent much heating of the air as it flows through the manifold in about 0.1 sec.

instead, port and polish the manifold to increase airflow. these are good old fashioned musclecar tricks.

 

muscle car trciks dont work on hondas... we actually dont really need to port our heads just smooth them out and clean them up. This i think would actually be very effective...the intake manifold and throttle body have alot to do with the intake temp. Anything hot will transfer directly to the air... keeping the intake man and TB cooler will help. maybe only 1-3 hp but u know what effeincy would be great. and. and for the price im willing to try it. i am not willing to have some monkey that works on chevy's...take a porting tool to my intake manifold. sorry wont do it

 

Stokeless, I will probably stop by the shop and check out their works and perhaps get price quote for coating more than one manifold. I truely believe coating will prevent or slow down the heat soak problem. One other area also needs to be addressed is the injector base manifold that actually contacts the cylinder head. If this area is heated up, the heat will transfer to the injector rail and injectors. What that means is hot fuel being injected into the combustion camber. That's why I'm hoping the Hondata heat gasket is for the injector base and not the intake manifold.

There is a throttle body coolant hose mod which is very effective in lowering the heat transfer. I'll post a how to when the time comes.

 

i already know how to do that TB mod...did it on my integ...but yea man im interested i leave this thursday for 3 weeks so if u go after that just drop me aline here and we can go when i get back

 

i agree that it would probably be good for a couple of horsies, but if its gonna run you $200-300 for 3 hp.

not worth it imo.

 

How did you get the price of $200-$300?

 

I'd be very leary of using this type of coating on an aluminum part, unless the coatings vendor is willing to give you a new manifold if they screw up. These type of coatings are aluminum-ceramics. The process involves coating the part and then baking it at high temperatures (read melts aluminum) to cure the coating. This coating works great on carbon steel or cast iron, but it may alloy into and melt your aluminum manifold during the bake process.

 

I just came back from the shop that performs the coating to check out their operation and some samples of finished products. They coat everything from misc. small parts, headers to huge diesel truck turbos! The finished products are of high quality! They first sandblast the parts, then coat, then bake the parts in an oven at 520 degrees F to cure the coating (I forgot to ask how long the parts stay in the oven).

I went into the process area and saw a ton of parts that have been sandblasted and ready to be coated. I also saw some import parts like intake manifold, DOHC valve cover and timing chain cover sitting on a table.

It takes about one week turnaround time. I guess the long turnaround time means no one else will go for this process.... I'm still considering but not sure about which finish to apply.

The cost is $110 each. If two or more, take 10% off.

Just an FYI.. aluminum melting point is 660.32 C which translate to about 1220.57 F. 520 degrees shouldn't be a problem. After all, even aluminum foil withstand at least that hot.

 

Sounds like some good stuff. Time to find some guys in my area that'll do that. I'll probably be looking at doing the gasket and coating at the same time too then.