Stainless Steel Headers... worth it or no?

69Cobra · 04-05-2014, 09:10 AM

Hey Guys,
I'm trying to get my car finished up and I really need a new set of headers. I'm just wondering if there is any E.T. in going with SS?

Alan Roehrich · 04-05-2014, 09:23 AM

I cannot see where there would be any ET in a material change from mild steel to stainless.

The ET in headers is purely design, tube diameter, and tube length.

Coating is worth as much as 2.5%.

The correct steps in tubing diameter can be worth as much as 2%.

In order to take full advantage of merge collectors, a cam change may be necessary.

In order to make a set of "tri-Y" or 4-2-1 headers work, as opposed to s set of 4 into 1 headers, you would probably also need a cam change.

Jere Stahl has closed his doors, the only thing he's shipping now is pre bent kits he had left over.

If you want 4 into 1, Kromer is building headers again, or Mark Lelchook.

For 4-2-1 stuff, you have Calvin Elston and Mark Lelchook.

I have friends running headers from all three of those shops, and all are happy.

my69396 · 04-05-2014, 10:48 AM

For a Ford you might give REF headers in Arizona a call 928-692-0111. I have had them on a Mustang and Torino and have been happy with the product and the service. They have the jigs and if you need a change they can do it over the phone. Like going from a auto to a stick.

ron mattson · 04-05-2014, 02:13 PM

There is performance is stainless, just as coating
Helps ,stainless keeps heat in way better than
Mild steel. The heat retention of a stainless header
Is every bit as good or better than coated mild
Steel and they won't rust

CWhitney · 04-05-2014, 02:30 PM

Save your money and just use the mild steel. Have them coated by a good company and they will last a long time. REF in AZ has all the jigs for your car also.

Alan Roehrich · 04-05-2014, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron mattson

There is performance is stainless, just as coating
Helps ,stainless keeps heat in way better than
Mild steel. The heat retention of a stainless header
Is every bit as good or better than coated mild
Steel and they won't rust

No, the heat retention of stainless steel is no where near that of mild steel with a ceramic thermal barrier coating.

ron mattson · 04-05-2014, 05:23 PM

The coefficient of thermal conductivity for mild
Steel is 26.98 stainless ls 9.3 and mild steel
Conducts 219 % more heat pr ft than stainless.
I have shot my header tubes with a infrared
Heat gun both coated and stainless and not
Once have I seen mild better. Ever see a pro
Stocker with coated headers, if they were better
I'm sure they would be using them!

04-05-2014, 09:10 AM	#1
69Cobra Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California, Ky Posts: 669 Likes: 61 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Stainless Steel Headers... worth it or no? Hey Guys, I'm trying to get my car finished up and I really need a new set of headers. I'm just wondering if there is any E.T. in going with SS? __________________ Kris Rachford 69 Cobra 428CJ 4 Speed C/S 3032

04-05-2014, 09:23 AM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,105 Likes: 1,564 Liked 1,789 Times in 408 Posts	Re: Stainless Steel Headers... worth it or no? I cannot see where there would be any ET in a material change from mild steel to stainless. The ET in headers is purely design, tube diameter, and tube length. Coating is worth as much as 2.5%. The correct steps in tubing diameter can be worth as much as 2%. In order to take full advantage of merge collectors, a cam change may be necessary. In order to make a set of "tri-Y" or 4-2-1 headers work, as opposed to s set of 4 into 1 headers, you would probably also need a cam change. Jere Stahl has closed his doors, the only thing he's shipping now is pre bent kits he had left over. If you want 4 into 1, Kromer is building headers again, or Mark Lelchook. For 4-2-1 stuff, you have Calvin Elston and Mark Lelchook. I have friends running headers from all three of those shops, and all are happy. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

04-05-2014, 10:48 AM	#3
my69396 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 285 Likes: 0 Liked 43 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Stainless Steel Headers... worth it or no? For a Ford you might give REF headers in Arizona a call 928-692-0111. I have had them on a Mustang and Torino and have been happy with the product and the service. They have the jigs and if you need a change they can do it over the phone. Like going from a auto to a stick.

04-05-2014, 02:13 PM	#4
ron mattson Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: cloquet mn Posts: 466 Likes: 17 Liked 67 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Stainless Steel Headers... worth it or no? There is performance is stainless, just as coating Helps ,stainless keeps heat in way better than Mild steel. The heat retention of a stainless header Is every bit as good or better than coated mild Steel and they won't rust __________________ Ron Mattson 5015 STK

04-05-2014, 02:30 PM	#5
CWhitney Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sun Valley,Ca Posts: 86 Likes: 2 Liked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Stainless Steel Headers... worth it or no? Save your money and just use the mild steel. Have them coated by a good company and they will last a long time. REF in AZ has all the jigs for your car also.

04-05-2014, 05:23 PM	#7
ron mattson Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: cloquet mn Posts: 466 Likes: 17 Liked 67 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Stainless Steel Headers... worth it or no? The coefficient of thermal conductivity for mild Steel is 26.98 stainless ls 9.3 and mild steel Conducts 219 % more heat pr ft than stainless. I have shot my header tubes with a infrared Heat gun both coated and stainless and not Once have I seen mild better. Ever see a pro Stocker with coated headers, if they were better I'm sure they would be using them! __________________ Ron Mattson 5015 STK