StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

i purchased brand new XS headers for my CL they are good copy of CT headers but some of the ppl had problems with them...
cracked welds broken flexpipe the other ppl have had no issues at all

im thinking about Ceramic Coating or Jet Coating or Header Wrap or just leave them as they are

let's discous

here are the links

http://www.jetcoat.com/pricelis.html

http://www.jet-hot.com/

http://www.boneheadperformance.com/M...creen=CERAMICS

http://www.heatshieldproducts.com/co...haust_wrap.php

Blazin Si

I'd jet hot it, if you have the cash. It's a little pricey, but will lower your under hood temps and has a nice shiny appearance. Ceramic coated would be my 2nd choice. If your header is stainless, you'll loose the bling, but help control the heat. Header wrap is known to crack aftermarket headers. If XS is a knockoff company, I'd stay away from the wrap. I have a Kiddracing RMF knockoff header, and I'd never wrap this chinese steel in that stuff.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

There's also www.swaintech.com

I've been looking into using them to have my intake pipe coated with their "BBE" coating to remove heat from the piping. Opposite of what you'd want to do with the header, but swaintech has a coating called white lightning that is used on exhaust pieces IIRC.

TheMirror

v6cord2k5

iTrader: (1)

Considering they're knockoffs and known to have issues... I'd leave them as is.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Don't waste your money on the coating. Save up for all of the welding you'll need to do when they crack.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Oh and moved to 2nd gen CL forum.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

also b4 they go in i can redone welds but once they are in that is gonna be more difficult for me

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

I did not check your links but, Jet hot coated was the stuff to get some time back.
I forgot what it costed .I think it was somewhere around 3-350 for a pair of sbc headers.That was 8yrs or so ago.
The coating did keep the header temp way down.
I think they were coated inside and out. With that being said it might help with the cracking and prolong the life of the xs headers.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

For quality headers, Id have them Jet Hot'd. My brother had is motorcycle exhaust done about 4 years ago and its holding up great. IIRC the Jet Hot coating is ceramic coating.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

well they're XS headers, definately not quality.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Yea, I know.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

so you think i should leave them as they are ?

CL6

If you want them to fall apart from rust after a year get them wrapped.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Unless you get the welds reinforced when you get them, the coating isnt going to last long because you'll be rewelding them later down the line.

And don't wrap them.

RUF87

I've got ceramic coated XS headers . . . did it about 2 years ago. They're still holding up.

That said, getting your headers coated is a must in my book. They'll look good for a long time. On the performance side, they'll keep your engine bay cooler . . so more HP, they'll flow exhaust gas faster . . so more HP.

Worth it in my opinion, but make sure you get a good ceramic product. I hear not all are equal, and I'm pretty sure Jet Hot uses the same ceramic product the other highend places do.

Ruf

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

What finish did you get? I dont remember the exact type my brother got but it holds up amazingly well. The temps off the exhaust came down considerably. Im planning on having my pipes done too, and I may have the headers done on the CL while Im at it.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

im going to reinforce the weld first then i decide what to do but i can get it coated for 150 flat black.

RUF87

This is who I used . . . they called it Chrome and it was ceramic based.

http://www.qualitypowdercoating.com/

Here's some before and after pics. And be sure and get all the blasting beads out of the pipes, especially the flex pipe section as it will trap some beads in there. If you don't they will eventually come loose and clog up the CAT.

Note, as I mentioned before, they've been on 2 years . . see last pic for current photo.

XS Headers - New


XS Headers Powder Coated Chrome


This is what they look like after 2 years



Ruf

RUF87

Yeah, I cleaned up all the rough spots . . the XS headers are definately not as clean and solid looking as the Comptech.

Ruf

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

wow thats nice ! how did you pay for get it ceramic(?)coated ?

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

fixed lol

RUF87

They were local in the DFW area, so I took them there and paid them directly. Click on URL in the above post.

Ruf

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

That coating is hard to beat.
They look really nice RUF.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

i did but there is nothing about pricing i just sent them an email



but i think i will use this site they are 60 miles from me... im gonna go there and ask about everything but dunno which color should i choose

http://www.boneheadperformance.com/M...creen=CERAMICS

i like gold and satin black

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

i just replied

i sent him a picture of headers (your picture :P)

RUF87

Yeah, I had to get a quote as well. I'm trying to remember, I think I paid around $250 or so, but that was 2 years ago. Nothings cheap anymore.

As for the colors, that's a plus as you can pick a look you like and be unique.

Ruf

RUF87

Thanks . . . looks and durability are the icing on the cake as the performance benefits were the main reason for doing it.

Ruf

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

saying that i have to ask you that

did you dyno it ?

CL6

I have ceramic coating on my header and muffler for my Bus and it looks great, keeps temps down, and will make the exhaust last much longer than otherwise. Air cooled engines don't exactly burn cool to begin with.

RUF87

not in quite some time . . . nor have I been to the track since several mods . . . including the addition of the headers . . the reason is the motor mounts . . I keep busting them at the track and having a little fun now and then. With the current mods, I have beaten a BMW 550i 5 out of 5 runs, a 650i and ran neck and neck with a friend's Jeep SRT8. So I'm guestimating I'm around 320-330hp at the crank . . and I'm expecting a 13.8-14.0 quarter mile. I've got a lot of repairs to do and will be field testing the prototype motor mounts from Excelerate - for 2nd gens - if all goes well I'll be at the track and well see what happens. Check out the motor mounts thread for details.

Ruf

02 WDP TLS Black Interior w/ Black Grill Inserts & Cleared Headlights
**1/4mile 14.46 @96.07MPH – 14.23 corrected; (45-70mph test - 3.5 secs)
17x7 Konig Appeals SMF – 18.2lbs each
P225/45ZR-17 Sumitomo HRT AS P01- (Kumho Ecsta SPTs for track)
CT Icebox, Custom RamAir, CT Sways & Springs
3nd Gen Innovative Motor Mounts – Front & Side Only
Bored out Intake & TBs, Mugen Cooling Mods & Thermoblok
Ceramic Coated XS Headers & Random-Tech Hiflow CAT
NEO Anti Freeze & 5w-20 oil w/Militec-1
Tranny #3 Installed 11.17.2008

Note** (1/4 mile times before headers, Hi-flow CAT, IMMs, Bored out Intake & TBs)

bso

ceramic is the way to go.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

i did 14.3 stock now i got underdrive crank pulley CAI and XS headers. and also i did 4" intake but its still not finished. 09 TL IM is next. my servos with 235/40 tire are killing some performance and im going to run stock wheels on the track. as soon as i fix front suspension and do alignment. i want to go to the track. englishtown driving school in nj to begin them maybe something bigger CL isnt greatest track car so i may get someday s2k just sayin.

i have friend with obx headers custom exhaust cai and reflash. he say he did 13.75 he is 6 speed too. but kill 550i thats amazing lol

RUF87

I think opening up the intake as you did is great After doing mine I had to relearn down and upshifting . . . the engine really came alive. As for the 550i, it was close, 1/2 car length . . the guy used to own a TLS and couldn't believe it . . of course neither would I had we not done it 5 times.

Ruf

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

i dont know what to do porting oem IM or just use 09 TL IM but first im going to finish my intake then probably ill be geting it coated too...

4" Intake

jaMezBOI

iTrader: (3)

14.3 stock, nice run.

I want a 6spd in my TL!!

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

i got quote from a shop. they want 180$ to coat the headers.

RUF87

That's a decent price in my opinion.

Ruf

RooEng

I don't get why you would take a set of $90 headers, reweld them and put a $180 ceramic coating on them. Unless this is all for show, you'll gain nothing it terms of performance or longevity. Stainless steel doesn't corrode and keeping the heat in only helps the exhaust velocity when it enters the collector, which is only about 6" away from the head. Any coating past the collector is purely cosmetic.

Just put them on. You could use the money you saved to weld leaks or cracks later IF it happens and you won't have to worry about recoating them after any repairs.

I've had my XS headers for a few years now with absolutely no problems.

RUF87

Correction, you do get both a performance gain and headers that won't discolor, plus you get better heat contol . . and that does go past the collector. Why do you think serious racers have their headers and even other parts treated and then some even wrap their headers and other parts with various heat reducing/protecting.

And please opinions are fine, we share them all . . especially on subjective things , but when stating facts please make sure they are by doing some research and or having experience that backs the claims up . . . that's why I do coat much of the exhaust and treat other parts . . as I can afford it.

Ruf