The Project Pad

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with either of these and what you think. if you have actual temp reduction numbers that would be great. I would like to get my header coated but would like to know what works better for the turbo.

I have a white lightning coated IMS manifold, the coating is awesome. It has held up perfectly and still looks nice.

I have no temp data but it's proven to be effective. Along with a wrapped DP I feel that under-hood temps remain in check. More importantly, I think that it does indeed help retain exhaust gas velocity and improve spool a bit.

That looks pretty good actually. Have you noticed any difference in egt's or has the header always been coated since you've installed it?

I want to get my header swain tech coated and wrap my down pipe but I am still on the fence about the turbo. The blankets seem like they would retain all of the heat around the housing but if it were coated I think it would send the heat downstream with the exhaust because it has nowhere else to go. Also I have read that turbo blankets can cause the bearings to wear and even crack housings but that could be due to an older turbo design. At $90-125 for a hot side coating vs $200+ for a good blanket, the coating seems to be winning me over. Some real world numbers would be nice though.

How does one go about getting a Swain tech white lightning coating?

How does one go about getting a Swain tech white lightning coating?

You have to send it to swain tech in california I believe.

Or NY sorry.

http://swaintech.com/

blankets and wraps are hard on headers and downpipes because they trap moisture that wicks off any metal when it is heated up. The moisture tends to flash off the inside on coated manifolds and out hte exhaust. I vote coating

Hank wrote:blankets and wraps are hard on headers and downpipes because they trap moisture that wicks off any metal when it is heated up. The moisture tends to flash off the inside on coated manifolds and out hte exhaust. I vote coating

I was just about to say the same thing.

After minimal miles/time the ceramic coating on my bag'o'snakes has started flaking off... consequently I woudn't recommmend Impact Coatings in town (at least until I hear about their warranty).

I have never seen a coating stick on a turbo header, except for Ed's white stuff from swain. IIRC, it was pretty spendy at about 225$ per header. Ed? Still in good shape?

I definitely wouldn't use any other coatings other than the white lightning. Other coatings may look good but they never last and I wouldn't be surprised they didn't work as advertised. Althought the swain tech stuff is pricy I think thats what I'll end up doing.

ads wrote:I definitely wouldn't use any other coatings other than the white lightning. Other coatings may look good but they never last and I wouldn't be surprised they didn't work as advertised. Althought the swain tech stuff is pricy I think thats what I'll end up doing.

Me too.

When I get said hardware in hand... bulk discount perhaps? Let's at least split the shipping...

Yeah, both of you make sure you let me know so I don't spend time bead blasting parts

Hank

White lightning is a true ceramic thermal barrier coating, what must companies call "ceramic coating" is basically high temp paint that contains very little ceramic material. Those are purely cosmetic.

Hank wrote:Yeah, both of you make sure you let me know so I don't spend time bead blasting parts

Hank

Any chance you could send them off for me (or us) since you're closer to the source? I'll pay the incurred costs of course.

Yep, not a problem.

Yeah i will probably get you to ship it straight to them first hank, since you are closer. If you don't mind that is. I should be getting my turbo back Monday so i will probably send the hot side out next week.

Nope not at all. I can do that.

I am seriously considering this for mine, when I am ready to pull the trigger of course.

You are not ready yet?

Hank wrote:You are not ready yet?

Well, I would be if my trans didn't blow itself to smithereens!

Oh yeah me too.. Except for the $4000 engine I just put in...

Nuts how fast a 1500$ built engine escalates into a 4000$ engine. People poop themselves when I quote out a 4000$ motor. I suppose I should just start telling them it will be 1500, and then nickle and dime them the reamining 2500$ like it happens in real life.

swaintech is much better than wrapping

Really wrapping shouldn't be done unless you have ceramic coated. The Ceramic keeps moisture from being trapped between the wrap and the header on startup and would significantly increase the life expectancy of a wrapped header. Still isn't the best for longevity, but far better than wrap on a raw header.

Lol. I took a grand off my total because I sold my IIc, too.