Hi all, Just curious if anyone has had their headers ceramic coated. If so, how do you like it? Who did you have do it (I'm in the US)? If I get good feedback, this sounds like a possible winter project. Thanks - Dave

-- Dave B (gdbdj@frontiernet.net), September 29, 2003

Answers

I dont have personal experiance w/ a f4 ceramic coatings but i've done a 999s and it works great.performance coatings in Auburn washington.contact Brad Gua @ 253-735-1919 or brad@performancecoatings.com Even if you dont have brad do this for you he will provide you w/ proof and testimonials about the gains. tell him i sent you,we just raced his gsxr600 in a 8 hour endurance race, worked flawlessly until a major crash at the 4 hour mark put us out,brake pads, headers,internal motor parts,radiator,so on and so on all coated.

-- dave rookaird (rookaird@cs.com), September 29, 2003.

I haven't used any on bikes yet, but I do use ceramic coatings for various components on my car including the turbine housing, downpipe from the turbine, lower intake manifold, etc....They reduce head DRAMATICALLY over uncoated metal. I run a turbocharged rotary which will typically produce exhaust gas temps in the 1200 degrees C range, quite hot. There are several brands out there including Jet Hot but check to see who is supplying locally to you if you're in a major metropolitan area. Various types of coatings have different heat ranges and colors. Most have a coating which is good to 1200F and is similar in look to chrome if done correctly. One tip, prep your stuff well and insert bolts into all threaded fittings. They'll just spray over the threaded fittings, clogging up your threads if you do not slot a bolt in there. They even have coatings that help conduct heat for radiators and intercoolers. There was a good article on ceramic coatings in a past issue of Race Car Engineering (last month?), a magazine out of the UK but typically found at Barnes&Noble here in the states. Oh, one other recommendation, depending on the material, thickness and temps it'll see, it's often a good idea to coat the outside AND the inside of the header (or whatever you're having coated) as it'll eliminate hot spots and thermal fatigue if coated on the outside only. Not sure what the header material is on the stock parts, 304 stainless? 321?

-- Michel Fortier (rx7tt95@aol.com), September 30, 2003.

I had my headers and exhaust cans coated by JetHot. I'm very happy with the appearance, and the MV seems to run a few degrees cooler. It looks especially nice above the rear wheel where you can see the cans. The sterling finish is a good match to the subframe, and it is much more appealing to the eye. I had my mechanic remove the tips before I sent my parts in.

-- John Milotzky (jmilotzky@wi.rr.com), September 30, 2003.

Any pics of the handy work John?

-- kav (kavinandi@hotmail.com), October 01, 2003.

If you want to know about the theory and technology behind PVD ceramic coatings take a look at

http://pvd-coatings.co.uk

-- Mark Jarratt (jarrattmark@hotmail.com), July 04, 2004.