Penguinracer

Hi All,
I'm looking to get the headers, cross-over, Up & Down pipes ceramic coated (all SFR) - Zircotec plasma spray process.

I have a couple of questions:

(1) Should I get the Tial Stainless Steel Hotside coated?

(2) Should I get my SFR Intake coated to match (for purely aesthetic reasons)?

(3) How resistant are plasma spray ceramic coatings to chipping & minor impacts which take place working on a car(e.g. dropped tools etc)?

(4) Anyone had experience with coatings - good, bad or indifferent?

Tim

Paulyy

All i can tell you is that it depends who does it. some companies do a good job, and others do a bad job. do a search on some companies who do it for feedback. ask some local exhaust or performance shops on who's good and who's not.

User 41221

I've had generally good results, but as Pauly mentions, its completely dependent on who is doing it.

A couple of notes:

1) Stainless steel is by nature, temperature stable and doesn't get much benefit from an additional coating. Secondly, the surface area of what you are talking about is so small, you'd get no benefit imo.

2) SFR Intake.. Only object is to keep the intake as cold as possible, and coating it will reduce its internal ability to disperse heat, so I'd say no. I have no experience with the SFR intake so judge my comment accordingly. On a stock aluminum intake, I'd leave it bare.

3) No comment on plasma spray, but typical ceramic coatings are pretty tough.

gruhsy

take a look at my build thread. The powder coating on my car done by great shop lifetime warranty and is tough as hell.

As mentioned needs to be a good shop. My whole car was less than 500.00 and that included 2 exhaust systems

CCPcoatings

Not sure of your definition of "temp stable". Though most SS alloys will insulate better than mild steel, SS holds a LOT of that heat on its surface and therefore is equally if not more beneficial to coat. talk to anyone that has converted from mild steel to SS headers or other exhaust related pieces and you will find that engine bay temps and related areas go up significantly. This is compounded by the fact that many SS systems will use a thinner walled material as well.

CCPcoatings

Someone powder coated your exhaust components?????

CCPcoatings

I'm assuming you are in close proximity to zircotec. Most don't find anything attractive about plasma spray ceramics and they are a huge dirt trap, BUT they are very durable and very effective as a thermal barrier.

If the additional cost is not an issue, any efforts to make the engine / exhaust / turbo more thermally efficient will be beneficial to performance and longevity.....

Penguinracer

From the Zircotec website:
http://www.zircotec.com/page/home/1 (FAQs)
I understand that the "Performance White" finish which is suitable for up to 1,400C, is non-sealed, slightly absorbent & therefore not stain resistant.
The "Performance Colours" product which is advertised as suitable for up to 900C is sealed and supposedly more stain resistant.
It's the latter which interests me.
Tim

gruhsy

My exhaust is ceramic. Pics of exhaust and intercooler pipes with Titanium ceramic.

CCPcoatings

I know of the product, but no real experience with it. Its a traditional spray on ceramic like what we use here in the states which works very well. They've got a good reputation so I would believe its a good product.

Penguinracer

Is this a Titanium Nitride surface treatment you've had applied?

Tim

gruhsy

http://www.topguncoatings.com/ceramic.html

This is the place I used. Called Ceramicoat. Hope that helps

Jherriott

I had it done here in Canada by these guys:

http://www.fireballcoatings.com/inde...id=8&Itemid=19

I had a full 3" stainless Fabspeed system done in their XMC coating. The turbo spools up so fast now it doesn't even feel like it's a turbo anymore. And I used to have so much heat coming up through the shift boot that has been completely eliminated. So I am very happy with the result. I will be doing headers, cross-pipe and turbo as well once purchased...

CCPcoatings

TN is plasma spray which you said you did not want.......

333pg333

How are you going to fit the SFR headers onto your car?