Ceramic Coated Exhaust???

[KTL]

Has anybody had their heat exchangers, SSI or other, ceramic coated (like Jet Hot for example)? Just wondering if this process would create any fitment problems such as exhaust flange leaks or filling up the threads in the O2 sensor port.

I'm considering having a set of SSI's coated and wondered if anybody else had done the same. Kinda of leary because I had a VTEC header ceramic coated about 5 yrs. ago and never really considered the results until now. The appearance was great and that was what I was mostly concerned about on the VTEC header. I've become a little more picky with the 911. I'd like the coating to last and not cause any hang-ups.

I know they bead-blast the components before the ceramic treatment, so the likelihood of some of the beads remaining inside the heater boxes is good, no? I recall seeing a few beads coated to the VTEC header (stuck inbetween the gaps between the primary pipes) when I received it. They also failed to remove the ring gaskets in the downpipe/collector joint before coating it.

Just wondering if anybody had any experience coating the Porsche components. I know Jet Hot will do them, as i've read of them being done. Just looking for some hands-on experience.

Thanks,

[Thomas Owen]

When I raced Sprint Cars until a couple of years ago we dealt with only Jet Hot. They would always block bolt holes and flanges to avoid any 'fit' problems. For years I worked with only one woman in Louisiana and if you want I can supply her name. She never failed to do exactly what we asked. At that time, since we ran alcohol in the engines, we were most interested in moving heat away from the engine, and the ceramic did that wonderfully. Also, since we ran only dirt (clay), it cleaned up very nicely as well.
Right off, I would see no advantage to doing any Porsche exhaust part other than for cosmetic reasons. By the way, your SSI's hang under the car and could still get dinged and/or chipped.
Good luck.

[Doug Zielke]

Another avenue to explore for a heat resistant finish is Plasma-arc Metal Spraying.

A few years ago, I had this done on a set of pipes used on my 250 Ducati roadrace m/c. The finish is a matt silver/grey, and is quite durable. Cost was much less than ceramic treatments.

[RLJ]

Ceramic coating on SSI's and the muffler is a good deal. All of those hot exhaust parts transfer heat to the case and heads, if that heat sink was blocked the motor will run cooler. There are a lot of ceramic coaters around, there is a guy in Milwaukee Oregon who is good and reasonable.

My engine builder uses cermaic coatings on combustion chambers, piston tops, exhaust ports, and valve stems that I am aware of. Different colors of the ceramic conduct different amounts of heat and there are differnt forms of the ceramic material too. I don't remember what color would work best for SSI's and a muffler but I think it was the Gray color.

I am running a RS style glass rear bumper and as soon as I decide EXACTLY what muffler I am going to go with the SSI's and that muffler will get coated.

Randy Jones
1971 911