View Full Version : FFR Headers - Ceramic or Raw?
The headers have a nice polished finish to them out of the box. Are you guys running them as-is or should I get them coated in ceramic?
Peeker
12-14-2021, 08:44 AM
158590
I went with ceramic and wrapped. Want to keep as much heat out of the foot box as possible.
CaptB
12-14-2021, 10:03 AM
I did a Polished Cermakrome Coating type thing. I didn't want them to discolor and I think if you go with FFR out of the box they'll change color over time.
GTBradley
12-14-2021, 10:22 AM
They definitely do change color over time as they are natural SS. It isn't that noticeable, sort of a very slight copper patina. I wrapped mine with the same product Peeker did. That stuff is easy to apply and stays in place, plus it reduces the radiated temperature on surrounding objects and that is what I was after.
I've read that some don't like the wraps because they can create corrosion issues, but these being SS negates that issue.
TMartinLVNV
12-14-2021, 11:30 AM
Papa, I ran them raw. They have a nice patina to them as Bradley mentioned. I wrapped a few things in the engine bay that were close to the headers. 9000 miles and nothing melted yet :cool:
They will turn gold very quickly, then get a marbled gold/blue look to them.
Jim1855
12-14-2021, 11:41 AM
SS 304 and ceramic for me. I have a set that I ran hard for 6 or so years. Coating is now a dull silver grey but holds up well. These were done at a shop north side of Detroit, got to find the name of the shop.
Jim
GTBradley
12-14-2021, 12:06 PM
...9000 miles and nothing melted yet :cool:
Except for those roads you tore up in SW CO last summer!
That's true you both have 347s and as discussed in a previous thread the Coyote eng doesn't get the blue color, which I think looks kinda cool.
I just got a quote for Jet-Hot of $400. That seems a bit steep to me, and I have to ship them to Oklahoma City (quote includes return shipping). If they patina the same way the SS Gas-N pipes do, then a bit of Compound 302 now and then with bring them right back.
KDubU
12-15-2021, 06:24 AM
Ceramic for me.
Jeff Kleiner
12-15-2021, 06:49 AM
Will 302 have the same effect on raw stainless as it does on polished?
Jeff
Will 302 have the same effect on raw stainless as it does on polished?
Jeff
The headers are polished, but not sure what Compound 302 will do on raw SS. Once I get my raw headers off, I'll test it and report back.
Jeff Kleiner
12-15-2021, 09:30 AM
Hmmmm, given the visible discoloration from the welds I thought they were raw???
Jeff
CaptB
12-15-2021, 09:35 AM
I just got a quote for Jet-Hot of $400. That seems a bit steep to me, and I have to ship them to Oklahoma City (quote includes return shipping). If they patina the same way the SS Gas-N pipes do, then a bit of Compound 302 now and then with bring them right back.
I think in Memphis it was right around $300-$350 so it's not too far off.
rich grsc
12-15-2021, 10:25 AM
Cerakote will take the heat, and shouldn't discolor and you have hundreds of colors to choose from
GTBradley
12-15-2021, 11:26 AM
Cerakote will take the heat, and shouldn't discolor and you have hundreds of colors to choose from
How big is that oven of yours, Dave?
www.cerakote.com (https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating/C-7700/cerakote-glacier-silver)
How big is that oven of yours, Dave?
www.cerakote.com (https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating/C-7700/cerakote-glacier-silver)
Not big enough.
GTBradley
12-15-2021, 12:31 PM
I just built a big one for the fun of it. Still in the experimental stage, but it looks promising and is big enough to do my spare side pipes
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=158642&d=1639589328 (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=158642&d=1639589328)
rich grsc
12-15-2021, 02:31 PM
Two types of cerakote, oven cured and air cured. You aren't going to ceramic coat or Jet-Hot them yourself, so oven cured cerakote wouldn't be any different. Even the air cured handles a lot of heat, 1800* for the air cured
AC Bill
12-15-2021, 03:17 PM
I just built a big one for the fun of it. Still in the experimental stage, but it looks promising and is big enough to do my spare side pipes
Well if it doesn't work out, maybe you could smoke fish in it..:)
GTBradley
12-15-2021, 03:29 PM
Got room for a side of beef. Got beer?
rich grsc
12-15-2021, 06:20 PM
Got room for a side of beef. Got beer?
Hey, I just saw what's in your trunk. :eek::cool:
I found a place in Longmont that will do Cerekote with about a one week turnaround time. I may call them. Reading the prep sheet, the headers would need to be sand blasted before coating.
GTBradley
12-16-2021, 12:11 AM
They would and before that they get soaked in acetone. I just found and used a sand blaster in Sedalia that I like - Southside Bead Blasting. They charged 50 to clean up two side pipes for me.
rthomas98
12-16-2021, 09:37 PM
I wrapped mine. mainly because where I ran my brake line. I did get my side pipes ceramic coated and was about $400. The DEI wrap I used was only $80.00 and was relatively easy to do. Only tip I have is don't fasten the end of the wrap onto the header until after you bolt them to the engine. The wrap gets in the way of the header bolts.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=158749&d=1639709080
IMO the FFR stainless headers run very hot. Not sure if it is a symptom of a 500+HP 427 or just the nature of the stainless pipes. With a 347 the heat output might not be as much of an issue. Like rthomas98, I also wrapped mine with DEI titanium wrap which has helped with some of the heat output. I was also considering pulling mine this winter and having them Jet Hot coated or cerakote. My hesitation is I cant get a consistent answer from anyone if the coating actually helps reduce heat output, some people say it helps others say it did not make any difference and even burned off/dulled quickly after installed. I would do your homework on who you actually take the pipes to because it appears not all ceramic coatings are equal.