wtf??? cracked header...

[EricB]

hey....

so much for this ebay header...

i am so amazed at how it's shattered that i am not even upset about it...

it's only 6 months old!!!!!!!!!!!!!

anyways.... on all my previous cars with headers i've ALWAYS wrapped the header with ThermoTec header wrap and have never had any problems whatsoever.... ever. And now this....

so I purchased a new 6-1 header from MSA in Orange, CA yesterday and I am going to put that in now.. BUT:

Has anyone had a similar cracking problem with an MSA brand header???

I ask because I'd of course like to wrap this one too unless someone tells me otherwise....

Waiting to hear what you all have to say.

-e

[2ManyZs]

I've never had a problem with the two headers from MSA that I have had.

I would suggest one of two things, either get the header with the ceramic coating and don't use any tape on it at all. Or, use the header blanket instead of the wrapping tape. The tape absorbs moisture and holds it tight against the header, which does nothing more than promote the header rusting. The tubing is so thin on the header pipes that any rust will not take long to deteriorate it to the point at which the metal just blows out like yours did.

The header blanket doesn't hold moisture directly against the metal, therefore any moisture that does get inside should evaporate.

My money is on the ceramic coating, it helps seal the metal against rust, and it does help contain some of the heat inside the header, where it should be, going out the exhaust......

But since you already have the header, you should ask MSA what the difference is between the header "blanket" and the header "jacket" they show in their catalog...

If you notice, the header wrap is not recommended for long-term use, or for street use.... because it holds moisture and promotes rust perhaps????

[EricB]

maybe then it's just that on my other cars the headers that were made for them were constructed out of better material.... which is why they never cracked even over the long term (ie 4 years...) ok then i guess i won't wrap this one.....

-e

[Ed]

So is this what a rusted through header looks like?

[Daniel]

Your photo looks too familiar!!Yes,I have had that happen.The ceramic is the way to go. Daniel

[mperdue]

Is the Jet Hot coating the ceramic coating you're talking about?

[2ManyZs]

Jet-Hot, HPC, Airborne Coatings, there a quite a few on the market now and they are all pretty close to being the same thing.

[Daniel]

You won't regret it!! They stay shiny and wipe clean/look great. Eric I was told that by holding the heat in it weakens the header metal.After seeing my results and yours I can't help but agree.