OK, i did a search and there isn't much information on the forum about this. what do you guys think of each? what do you prefer? any stories (good OR bad)?

SSTS

 

stainless is definately the way to go.. and besure to get the comptechs!!!

you may want to snoop around the cl boards.. i know they had a thread on ceramic vs. stainless a little while ago..

 

Ceramics tend to peel and rust more than stainless. And why should he spend over $1000 on comptechs. I had my OBX's for 2 years with no problems. And i know a few other people that have had their OBX's for just as long with no problems. It seems that the first batch of OBX's were defective, but later releases are just fine. Comptech and Stone racing released several updates on their headers before landing a good setup. And the way the comptech springs are just turning to dust, i wouldnt put any of their products on my car for a long time to come.

 

stainless, the ceramic coating will come off in one month and itll start to rust ect... or u can get the stainless and get them jet coated yourself

 

Ceramic coating DOES NOT come off in one month and start to rust. You are thinking of what is called 'HTS' coating which does start to come off and rust after a few year. Ceramic coating is expensive and will last a lifetime. Most places that do ceramic coating on exhaust parts give you a lifetime warranty! Stainless is nice but does discolor somewhat and some people even get a 'rainbow' effect.

 

Yes that is true with good quality ceramic, but the OBX ceramic headers are known to peel and rust very soon. And I dont know any other brand that makes ceramic headers for our cars???

I have the Stone headers and I am very happy...

 

Stainless steel headers tend to develop cracks along the weld seams. Ceramic headers are made of softer iron and don't crack as easy. Many years back, I heard from some Honda forum that the ceramic coating would prevent the heat from leaking out from the hot header pipes into the engine compartment. As a result, the air intake could suck in cooler (and therefore denser) air and the engine would produce more power, similar to sticking ram air pipe outside the car to get cold air (but also risking hydrolocking the engine in extreme wet conditions.)

 

I use to have a 91 mustang and there were bunches of choices for headers, there was 'HTS' coating, ceramic coating (Jet Hott), nickle plated, hi temp powder coating, etc...etc.... The best ceramic headers are the ones that actually are coated inside and out! But they can coast twice as much as others.

 

thanks for all the replies. alot of information here. i would imagine that i should stay away from the OBX ceramic's then. plus i like the look of SS anyway. i honestly don't know if anyone else *does* make ceramic headers for the TL anyway. anyone else?

SSTS