ebaker

In the collector there is a major restriction where the weld is. The collector opening is only about as big as a golf ball.
Does anyone know if the major exhaust flow is along the roof of the port, like it is on a typical 2 valve head?
Coating the headers should increase the life of all the rubber and plastic parts in the engine compartment due to the reduced heat.

Kevin

Grinding the weld's does open up the diameter.. If you also clean up the seams, where the two halves are welded also cleans the air flow up.

gunther1

Kevin,

Thank you so very much for the DIY post. I have printed it out and will start on the grinding this weekend. Who is best for the ceramic coating? And like Colorchange asked will wrpping them add anything to this? Again thank you!!!

As soon as I get this done I will have a stock set of headers for sale as I already picked up another set.

Kevin

Gunther;

I have some more pictures to post.. However, I do not recommend wrapping 996TT headers for a street car.. The road salts and corosion that can take place does not merit the risk.. Unless you are in LA, and don't drive the car in the rainy season, like this past year..

If you are bent on wrapping, wrap it, if you want to ceramic coat it coat it.. Don't do both..
I like the ceramic coatings.. It looks good and I also do the turbine housing..

This brings up another issue, DO NOT COAT the INSIDE of the headers or inside of the turbine housing. You will wreck your turbochargers.. Ask me for a few customers names that relied on there coating companies word and not my caution.. $$$ down the toilet...

Other than myself, the two companies that I suggest is Jet Hot because they are quick and reasonable in pricing and have and excellent ceramic, the other company is Swain, Stephen is a sub-dealer for them..

calcareer

My 1963 Jaguar XKE came from the factory with ceramic coated headers, but after a while the ceramic began to crack and come off the header.

Will this happen to the 996TT headers if they are done properly?

Kevin

The two companies that I mentioned have been coating headers for some time now. It's not like we are spending more than $500.00 here.. Typically it's less than that..

However, the main theme of this thread is to port your headers..

gunther1

Kevin,

I would be delighted to have you do the ceramic coating. I just nedd to know how to get them to you?

Thanks,
Gunther

Big Carrot

What a great thread! I could care less about the ceramic coating, but if I can gain some real hp by fiddling around in the shop witha grinder for a couple of hours, I'm in! Any hp numbers???

Kevin

Your ECU controls the output by limiting boost, however this mod speeds up the airflow into the turbine housing. Thus reducing lag and improving throttle responce. This effect will allow the turbine wheel to spool up quicker, the result will be more generated sooner in the RPM curve. On the topend you will feel it with the large hybrid turbochargers and more aggressive ECU programs.

I have some good pictures I'll post shortly..

Kevin

Bob M

Nice work Kevin. Headers look great!

Bob

gunther1

Kevin,

I have finished the porting and am now ready to send them to you get the ceramic coating. I have sent you a PM to get your contact information. One last question. Is there any advantage to welding the exterior flange to the tubing? Based on the fact that much of the weld on the inside has been removed I thought this might me a good idea to strengthen up the area? Your thought on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Gunther

Kevin

Gunther, I'll respond back to your PM.. The design of the weld/fusion with the different layers of stainless yields a very strong weld and joint. Welding after the fact could create a "brittle " state and you could be chasing crack welding and re-welding.. As long as you have NOT ground the factory weld smooth but have left 10% or more. The actual fusion of the weld is deep between the two surfaces.

gunther1

Thanks Kevin! I look forward to getting my headers to you for the ceramic coating.

Zippy

At what HP level do modded/coated OEM headers become restrictive? I believe I've heard at about 600HP. Assuming this is correct, is the next step to mod and coat aftermarket headers?

Mike