I'm considering the benefits of having the OBX ceramic-coated and wondering if it is really worth it for around $100. Also, is there anything else that would get good results to ceramic coat if I go that route?

 

I've done it on non MINI vehicles and always thought it was money well spent.

 

What kind of results have you gotten and what did you do, just the header?

 

who are u plannin' to use? is the OBX stainless?

 

Yes, the OBX is SS. www.performancecoatings.com is near me and I have heard good things. The owner has a MCS and said he'd make me a deal "because MINI owners need to stick together" he said. Its normally $100-$125 for the header, but I don't know if it is worth it or not, and if it is if anything else should be coated while I'm at it.

 

well then if u want lower heat numbers under ur bonnet do the header as well, but if ur lookinkin' to get any hp numbers stay away from, it its not a big deal mod when it comes to that,
in the past i did it cuz all the exhaust parts i bought for my impala were plain steel so the coatin' helped to keep it from rustin' but now i c that both the headers on my impala & the bug have sum signs of cancer so i wont be waitin' my money on cheap steel anymore


im sure others on here will disagree but hey it is america, !?right!?

 

So what exactly is the benefit of the coating then? It keeps it cool under the bonnet but you say that it is bad for HP or just not much gain?

 

There have been several threads on this topic, with at least a few different coating companies referenced. Some coatings seem to be "better" than others, and probably more costly also.

What are the names of some of the popular companies that do this?

Should the inside also be coated? I recall some who think so...

Also, what about the rest of the exhaust system... is there a benefit from having any of it coated? For my straight exhaust, it would be easy to do so...

 

Keep underhood temps down,
and keep exhaust gas velocity up...

don't know the HP benefits, but it theory, it should improve scavenging. A hp or two? Maybe less?

Matt

 

So how important is it to keep the underhood temps down? I live in Seattle now so it probably isnt i problem, but am moving to Texas soon where it may be. I'm just wondering if it is even worth it or I shouldnt worry about it.

 

u do have an option on not coatin' the inside but its automatic when u send ur pieces in!! i dont see why u would opt to not do it on the inside..
i've used jet-hot.com but theres another Co. that guarantess it and will coat it for a lower price after 5yrs...if u do a search i believe they are the ones to come up first, not that it means anythin' but look around first b4 u use any one Co.

 

Hmmm... well as a data point the last of the oil cooled 911 motors employed a ceramic insert as a part of the exhaust ports in the cylinder heads so obviously they have their place in high heat applications. Having heat wrapped my headers in the 911 to keep heat down at the track, I'd certainly at least check out their work. Assuming its good, for $100, seems like its worth doing. I might be a little wary of doing the inside depending on how thick the coating is as it will cut down on the inside diameter.

 

I used to work small block Chevy motors. Headers for those engines.
As noted, reduced underhood temps and better scavanging. I only did one set inside and out. Coating used to be more expensive back then. It definitely increased the life span of the mild steel headers I had done. That's not an issue in our case.

I was defintely good for some HP. It made a noticeable difference on motors in the 350-400 HP range. No I didn't dyno anything but I did used to drag race at an amateur level, not always...ahem... legally
Granted it was with open element carburated motors and underhood temps had a large impact but the motor also ran cooler on hot days and the firewall and floorboards weren't as toasty either.

Used to pay about $300 to coat a $100 set of Doug Thorleys. A set of stainless Hookers were around $800

Basically, I've always been happy with the results.

Jet Hot coatings was who I used. I'm certain there are others as good or maybe better now days.

I will coat whatever headers I eventually put on my MINI I just haven't seen anything on the market that is worth the money IMO.