Ceramic coating vs Stainless steel

[SHAKEELE30]

I am in the middle of doing a full underneath resto, and only just managed to get the manifold off, should of done it earlier as I had most of the front off. But didn't think of it at the time.

But what I want to ask is, is it worth getting this ceramic coated, or should I look into stainless steel system, if so which brand/company?

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[BenHar]

I would just put it back on.

It looks perfect!

Ben

[DanThe]

POR15 Manifold grey is fantastic stuff for exhausts

[Radar]

I'd definitely look into ceramic coating. There are many benefits such as:
1, Keeps the energy in the exhaust, which a) increases exhaust velocities thereby improving cylinder scavenging and b) keeps the heat away from the painted engine bay surfaces
2, Protects from corrosion
3, Attenuates noise - again it keeps more energy in the exhaust exactly where you want it
4, Looks good, you can choose the colour of finish

As far as stainless goes, I'm not a huge fan because it's a harder material it can change the exhaust note. Due again to the harder material, stainless can be more prone to cracking. If it's the wrong grade of stainless and/or the car isn't driven much you can get pools of corrosive acid forming within the exhaust which sometimes rots a stainless exhaust faster than a steel one. So long as you always run the car up to full oil temp (not just coolant) to guarantee the full exhaust is hot then there's less chance of this... if you do this with a steel system it will protect it too... in which case why buy stainless? Having said that most of the exhausts I see available are stainless anyway, so you may not have a choice unless you have custom one made.

I will be ceramic coating my exhaust manifold next time it's off. Despite me not liking stainless exhausts, the rest of my exhaust is a stainless Super Sprint. 12 months in it seems ok, slightly louder than the original but only just.

[SHAKEELE30]

thanks for the reply, I've read somewhere that once coated, theres still a chance of it corroding from inside, not sure how true that is, but still may consider it, as you have mentioned, it should keep heat away from painted engine bay areas, as currently I've noticed a bit of surface rust starting up, near the manifold area.

[Radar]

thanks for the reply, I've read somewhere that once coated, theres still a chance of it corroding from inside, not sure how true that is, but still may consider it, as you have mentioned, it should keep heat away from painted engine bay areas, as currently I've noticed a bit of surface rust starting up, near the manifold area.

I’d say that it’s no more likely to corrode from the inside with or without the coating... possibly less so because the heat is retained for longer allowing a more ‘gentle’ gradual cool down and hence less chance of condensation. You’re just less likely to notice it due to the coating.

[Kedge]

POR15 Manifold grey is fantastic stuff for exhausts

Is that good for keeping heat in Dan?
I've long been mulling over whether to coat my BTB manifold with something since it kicks out so much heat. Has managed to melt the clutch fluid reservoir!

[flybynite]

Is that good for keeping heat in Dan?
I've long been mulling over whether to coat my BTB manifold with something since it kicks out so much heat. Has managed to melt the clutch fluid reservoir!

Practically I can't see paint doing a whole heap. If you are having a real problem I can't see any alternative to wrapping it. Are you using standard manifold gasket with the heat shields?

I will be getting the BTB3 done in Cerakote, along with the x-pipe. Getting it done properly is not cheap but I'm doing it more for looks and protection than heat. Ceramic coating helps with heat but not as much as people think it does.

[SHAKEELE30]

just spoke to a guy in Zircotec, to get a manifold done, he gave me 3 different options. Prices came to:-

1) £508, finished in one of there performance colours, with the 33% reduction.
2) £310, finished in one there primary colours, with 25% reduction
3) £186, finished in one there performance 1 colours, which will give you only 15% reduction

then if you wanted rest of the system done then its extra per foot:-
1) 89 + vat
2) 60 + vat
3) 36 + vat

[flybynite]

just spoke to a guy in Zircotec, to get a manifold done,

If you are going Zircotec, dont get Performance White

[reggid]

a stainless system if you plan on owning the car long term. The plasma applied zirconia for the manifold seems to be the most effective, the others are a bit too thin like regular paint

[DanThe]

POR15 Manifold grey is fantastic stuff for exhausts

Is that good for keeping heat in Dan?
I've long been mulling over whether to coat my BTB manifold with something since it kicks out so much heat. Has managed to melt the clutch fluid reservoir!

I cant see it making any difference to be honest, did you get your mapping finalised in the end? I had one in recently that was over fuelling and the BTB was glowing orange

[DanThe]

just spoke to a guy in Zircotec, to get a manifold done, he gave me 3 different options. Prices came to:-

1) £508, finished in one of there performance colours, with the 33% reduction.
2) £310, finished in one there primary colours, with 25% reduction
3) £186, finished in one there performance 1 colours, which will give you only 15% reduction

then if you wanted rest of the system done then its extra per foot:-
1) 89 + vat
2) 60 + vat
3) 36 + vat

There is a company Leeds way that do this at a much more favourable price, cant remember the name though

[flybynite]

Real first world problems here, but the current cost of replacing the BTB3 and X-pipe I would sooner do it once and do it right.

I'd definitely look into ceramic coating. There are many benefits

I have not seen it first hand but there is the theory that ceramic coating the outside of the manifold increases the heat retained in the metal and leads to joint failure.

The way around that is to ceramic coat both inside and outside. You obviously cannot plasma spray zirconia inside a manifold it has to be one of the other types of ceramic coating that can be high-temperature dipped.

The white zircotec coating looks good when new but yellows really quickly, and even worse if any oil gets near it. Cannot be cleaned. Lot of money for something that looks pants after a year if you are doing it for looks. Seen that first-hand.

[Kedge]

POR15 Manifold grey is fantastic stuff for exhausts

Is that good for keeping heat in Dan?
I've long been mulling over whether to coat my BTB manifold with something since it kicks out so much heat. Has managed to melt the clutch fluid reservoir!

I cant see it making any difference to be honest, did you get your mapping finalised in the end? I had one in recently that was over fuelling and the BTB was glowing orange

Yea, Wayne got the mapping finished a good while ago, but the manifold has always been very hot, but nothing as bad as that.
However, an inlet manifold gasket has recently failed, so it was running pretty lumpy (on the winter 'to do list' with the cambelt).

[miniblob]

I've got a full BTB stainless 6 branch & straight through system on my touring.
I had the manifold and downpipe ceramic coated by Zircotec.
I'm pretty sure it was well over £600 to do, but it definitely does reduce the heat coming from it (though only measured with the back of the hand, so no idea how much!)

I reckon it was prob done 10+ years ago now, in black, still looks decent!
Just a few chips visible on it, but looks like it was caused by someone dropping a spanner on it or something.
I would say it's done quite a bit of mileage!!!