JaredGMS

What is the difference? Is SS THAT much better than ceramic?

JaredGMS

anybody??

CL2.3-Amature

I was seriously about to ask the same question. I ordered ceramic OBX headers on Ebay. They informed that they are back ordered. They told me they would upgrade me to stainless steel at no charge. I'm not sure but I think the ceramic headers dissapate heat better. The Stainless steel look better but well change a blueish color after time from heating up and cooling down. I need to respond to the company ASAP.....Keep in mind I have the lil 4 banger 1st gen. I don't think I will notice any performace gain or loss either way...Sorry to whore on your thread, but wondering the same thing.... Stainless steel or ceramic ?

TeamMidnightinvasion

stainless steal has that extra shine to give you that show look also stainless steal is more durable then ceramic. Ceramic is lighter and cheaper and not has durable. You will notices scratches more on the ceramic and they will get dirty and you cant really do anything about it. whereas on the stainless steal if they get dirty you can wipe them down.

typeR

wow...anyway most headers are gonna be stainless and you can opt to have the ceramic coated...at an additional fee...not sure if this is the case with OBX but i would bet it is...so your upgrade is a down grade...ceramic coating is designed to lesson the heat

TeamMidnightinvasion

mmm..well ummm.. i wonder why then ceramic coat header is alot cheaper in price then stainless steal? ....Ceramic does help reduce heat. .

NiteQwill

Hmm, this is the route I took in terms of header heat reduction and lifetime rust prevention:
http://www.jet-hot.com

They are known in the hotrod (obvious) and military (they coat most vehicles and their parts that encounter brutal environmental conditions) industry.

About $200 for headers plus shipping to and from and about a week turnaround.
Also 10% discount if you mention their site.

SLAMMED_WDP_TLS

Do no I repeat Do not get ceramic HEADERS. OBX have a tendency to leak and crack. Ceramic just make this even MORE likely to crack. I have heard story over and over and even expereinced myself that ceramic headers will crack very easily. Dont go cheap, name less brands or even obx SS stands a better chance with ceramic Headers. But if you want to risk it and test it go ahead but I am jsut letting you know what I think and Iwhat I have experienced.

edgalang

I can't vouch for all ceramic coated headers...but DO NOT get the OBX ceramic coated headers!

The reason why OBX ceramic headers is cheaper than SS is because it uses REGULAR steel that is coated with ceramic. Over time the ceramic coating will flake off and start rusting underneath. Trust me, I've seen 1 year old pictures of rusted OBX headers that makes Comptech springs look like a joke.

bigman

yeah, stay away from ceramic coated obx, they will rust and peel like a bitch.

ModAddict

By all menas, get the ceramic coating, but buy the stainless steel ones, and send them off to be coated.

CL2.3-Amature

Stainless Steel it is! Thanks for the input!

EricL

Regular steel (in this case) == mild steel.

Stainless steel -- at least good stainless -- will last a very long time and won't chip off like high-temperature paint or ceramic coatings. The stainless will not harden and crack as mild steel will. Once the ceramic protection is breached, you screwed. The carbon, from the exhaust gasses, combined with heat and vibration makes for a limited lifespan. I also speak from experience...