which type of headers is better? ceramic or stainless steel

 

Ceramic are cheaper and supposedly dissipate heat better than Stainless. Stainless look better in some opinions. Do a search on the forum's "search" function. You will find mixed opinions. I am thinking about ceramic since it gets so hot outsidewhere I live. I don't think it really makes that much of a difference though.

 

I just installed ceramic ones... They don't match anything in my engine bay but they seem allow less heat in the engine bay like 00accord said. I've had them for a week though and they are already discolouring... I don't know how long stainless steel look stainless but thats just my experience with ceramic.

 

Both cermaic and stainless discolor over time. However, the stainless just start to get a bluish color to them. As was mentioned the biggest difference is that cermaic is an insulator of sorts and helps keep heat out of your engine bay, this is less of a problem if you have a cold air intake but if you have an SRI or just stock intake then the cermaic headers are a little better for that application.... just my opinion.

 

this is almost as bad as the CAI vs. SRI debate. depends on what youre looking for. most stainless headers are t-304 stainless which is pretty good metal. ceramic is mild steel coated in ceramic. i used to have ceramic and recently got stainless, simply because the ceramics rusted near the block and underneath. i wanted something more reliable, my whole exhaust is now stainless. as far as underhood heat, i havent noticed a difference, but im sure its a little hotter. want the best of both worlds? i wouldnt reccomment header wrap as some do, rather Jet Hot coatings http://www.jet-hot.com/ its really all preference, but i wanted something long lasting and good in the winter.

 

I went with SS strictly for durability. In that usage I consider them better and worth the extra money. Just a noteC's paperwork that came with the header noted that any type of heat/header wrap voided the warranty.

 

yeah thats true, and warranty my megan header came with is already extinguished because i cut the sucker for a 2.5" collector. "no custom work" voids it as well. i would use header wrap if it wasnt so wishy washy.

 

I know i posted this a while ago but im gonna bring the topic back up. On this website stainless steel header is cheaper than the ceramic by alot. http://www.advancedjdmparts.com/home...n=0&page=2Does anyone think these headers are worth getting? Or should i save up more for some more exspensive brand name ones. any more help would be great thanks!

 

I believe it costs more since it's powder coated?

 

Uhhhh...NO.
Those headers are crap. I guarantee you they have cheap welds and are made from sub-par materials. They will probably be leaking within a year.
Better off sticking with something like Megan or OBX if you want to get a header on the cheap.