Does the base coating discolor much upon use? I understand that it is a ceramic based coating. I'm trying to decide if the $160 for the full ceramic is worth it.
Has anyone used the band clamps that PYPES sells? They look nice. Assuming that you wouldn't want to weld ceramic coated pipes.
Thanks. http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...icon_smile.gif

Does the base coating discolor much upon use? I understand that it is a ceramic based coating. I'm trying to decide if the $160 for the full ceramic is worth it.
Has anyone used the band clamps that PYPES sells? They look nice. Assuming that you wouldn't want to weld ceramic coated pipes.
Thanks. http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...icon_smile.gif

The Ceramic coating wont discolor at all under normal use on the street or track. Unless you break in your cam & the tubes glow red hot at that time. Then the coating will turn dull.
I broke in the cam on my Boat & about 8"'s of each of the tubes turned dull. I took a product called "Header Chit" to it & it returned it to glossy again.
My opinion is that the coating is a good thing to have. Because if it was just paint I would have had to repaint them, but it would have just burned off again anyway.

Ron

The Pypes Band clamps are excellent. Summit sells a different brand that work as well. I highly recommend them if you are not welding your system.

breaking in a cam will dullen them, but they are purdy

another

again

btw make sure the motor is level before you start dropping it in saves time

the clamps are descent i guess, im welding everything but the tails this winter

yup

Thanks Monkey. Great pics. I guess I still am not sure about the base coating yet. If you don't order ceramic coating, the standard headers come with a coating that is discribed as "ceramic based", according to PY.
Does anyone have any experience with this standard coating? Doug's used nickel plating in the past as their standard coating.

Az67goat, I have Dougs with the standard coating , Have only run the motor about 90 minutes (20 break in 70 tuning things up). the coating still lookes new , no discoloring. During breakin it got hot enought to boil over just as it got to 20 minutes.

Jim G.

Thanks 8point,
If you could, let me know how they look after a little more running time.

Running the base Doug's on our '65, been on since early this spring and have not discolored one bit. Also used band clamps on our system, didn't want to weld it, they're not cheap, but worth it.

I called Dougs because someone mentioned that the warranty would be voided if I put them on with a fresh rebuilt motor. The guy at Dougs was very nice and said it won't void the warranty but it "may" discolor the headers during break in and they won't take them back if that happens. I think the extra money for the coating is worth it. I was told it will help keep things in the engine compartment cooler. I still have not decided wether to put the old exhaust manifolds on or take a chance on the new headers. I hate the thought of trying to put them on afterwards (the hassle) but I also hate to discolor them cuz they are so perty! No pics to share..yet. Still putting the motor back together.

With the Pontiac engines you can hardly see the headers unless you are under the car. That is why I will be going with the standard coating and wrap the headers with insulating wrap to help keep the engine compartment cooler and improve the exhaust flow.

cujo,
Look at the warranty, it states;
"Any type of heat wrap applied to the header or exhaust piping will void this warranty"
& that is for both coated & not coated.

Ron

That is good to know. I have not purchased the headers yet. What does the Doug's Header warranty protect you from? What do you think they are worried about as far as the heat wraps are concerned? If it's just a cosmetic finish warranty it would not really matter to me since the headers are going to be wrapped up anyway.

don't wrap em, even the "uncoated" ones come with some sort of coating and wrapping them i heard will make em rust.