Ceramic Vrs Chrome..Heat Rise?? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

St33lsinger · 02-01-2011, 02:58 PM

I know there would be a rise in heat in the engine compartment but would it be high enough to effect performace??

axis · 02-01-2011, 03:29 PM

Most intakes are sectioned off from the engine bay so it shouldn't be a problem. Even the OEM intake is built that way.

St33lsinger · 02-01-2011, 10:18 PM

Sorry I thought I put it in there...Ceramic vrs Chrome Headers.

caverman · 02-01-2011, 10:26 PM

Chrome? Haven't heard of anyone putting chrome on their headers for the Camaro.

I would think ceramic coating would be better than chrome for headers.

St33lsinger · 02-02-2011, 07:55 AM

Really chrome headers have been around forever.

I have no doubt ceramic is better I was just wondering if the heat rise is that much more.

motorhead · 02-02-2011, 08:17 AM

Don't waste your time with chrome unless you don't plan on driving your car. Ceramic is cooler and will last much longer.

caverman · 02-02-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsinger

Really chrome headers have been around forever.

I have no doubt ceramic is better I was just wondering if the heat rise is that much more.

Yeah...I've seen chrome headers but not on a Camaro.

From my understanding, chrome is only for looks.....which for the most part so is ceramic IMO.

Wouldn't ceramic be much cheaper than chrome? And doesn't chrome tend to turn yellowish/blue with the extreme heat?

I would say that if you're looking for some kind of performance (by having reduced heat) you may not want to do either. Ceramic is supposed to cut don't on heat but I doubt it would be enough to do anything for you unless you are running a twin turbo or something where temps make a significant difference.

For looks I would go ceramic. It's nice and shiney but not over the top shine like chrome. I think of chrome headers being on motorcycles, high boys, and bucket-T. But that's just me.

St33lsinger · 02-02-2011, 10:23 AM

Thanks guys.

Cully · 02-02-2011, 01:30 PM

I think the "chrome" he is referring to is the highly polished headers some are offering. Like the xspower, and OBX and such. I would go Ceramic for longevity.

Anthony@ARH · 02-02-2011, 01:40 PM

With a quality 304 SS like ARH offers, you don't have to coat them unless your going for looks. The 304 will last a lifetime.

clg_98ta · 02-02-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caverman

From my understanding, chrome is only for looks.....which for the most part so is ceramic IMO.

Ceramic is definitely worth the extra cost - they reduce engine bay temperatures dramatically - they can reduce external header surface temps by up to 50%. You can tell the difference just be holding your hand near them...

I know so many people that have burned up starter motors, wiring harnesses, and plug wires before switching to ceramic coated headers.

Note: you do want to get them coated inside and out

Georger · 02-02-2011, 01:51 PM

The coating of a 304S/S header has nothing to do with the longevity of the product. It has to do with heat retention. Coating a header will retain more of the engines expelled heat in the primary. It will also keep radiant heat levels down in the engine compartment by roughly 15%.

Mr_Draco · 02-02-2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsinger

Sorry I thought I put it in there...Ceramic vrs Chrome Headers.

I think you mean stainless steel not chrome. Chrome is not a wise choice for high temp applications such as headers. Chrome will discolor very badly due to the heat after a short amount of time which can not be repaired (the discoloration for stainless can be repaired) and will eventually crack and flake off after being exposed to heat for prolonged periods of time.

St33lsinger · 02-03-2011, 07:43 AM

Quote:

think you mean stainless steel not chrome

Thank you, yes they are chrome coated, probably steel under the coating.
I think I'll be going with the 304 stainless steel and if I have the money the ceramic coated ones.

Thanks again

02-01-2011, 02:58 PM	#1
St33lsinger Emerald Coast Camaros Drives: 2010 1 RS/SS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,095 View My Garage	Ceramic Vrs Chrome..Heat Rise?? I know there would be a rise in heat in the engine compartment but would it be high enough to effect performace?? __________________ Had: 69' RS, 78' Z28, 98' SS Have: 2010 1RS/SS

02-01-2011, 03:29 PM	#2
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	Most intakes are sectioned off from the engine bay so it shouldn't be a problem. Even the OEM intake is built that way. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

02-01-2011, 10:18 PM	#3
St33lsinger Emerald Coast Camaros Drives: 2010 1 RS/SS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,095 View My Garage	Sorry I thought I put it in there...Ceramic vrs Chrome Headers. __________________ Had: 69' RS, 78' Z28, 98' SS Have: 2010 1RS/SS

02-01-2011, 10:26 PM	#4
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	Chrome? Haven't heard of anyone putting chrome on their headers for the Camaro. I would think ceramic coating would be better than chrome for headers. __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

02-02-2011, 07:55 AM	#5
St33lsinger Emerald Coast Camaros Drives: 2010 1 RS/SS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,095 View My Garage	Really chrome headers have been around forever. I have no doubt ceramic is better I was just wondering if the heat rise is that much more. __________________ Had: 69' RS, 78' Z28, 98' SS Have: 2010 1RS/SS

02-02-2011, 08:17 AM	#6
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,850	Don't waste your time with chrome unless you don't plan on driving your car. Ceramic is cooler and will last much longer.

02-02-2011, 10:23 AM	#8
St33lsinger Emerald Coast Camaros Drives: 2010 1 RS/SS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,095 View My Garage	Thanks guys. __________________ Had: 69' RS, 78' Z28, 98' SS Have: 2010 1RS/SS

02-02-2011, 01:30 PM	#9
Cully Drives: 2011 1SS/RS Synergy Green Camaro Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 192 View My Garage	I think the "chrome" he is referring to is the highly polished headers some are offering. Like the xspower, and OBX and such. I would go Ceramic for longevity.

02-02-2011, 01:40 PM	#10
Anthony@ARH Drives: Black s2000, 749 ducati dark Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NY Posts: 110	With a quality 304 SS like ARH offers, you don't have to coat them unless your going for looks. The 304 will last a lifetime.

02-02-2011, 01:51 PM	#12
Georger Drives: 1979 camaro Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Statesville, NC Posts: 60	The coating of a 304S/S header has nothing to do with the longevity of the product. It has to do with heat retention. Coating a header will retain more of the engines expelled heat in the primary. It will also keep radiant heat levels down in the engine compartment by roughly 15%.

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