Headers, ceramic vs stainless steel

What are the pros and cons for both headers. I was hoping to tap into your guys experience. Either longevity issues and performance differences.

I want to put on an header on my daily driver civic, and I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. So lots of snow in the winter, and hot summers.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

[boostREX]

I've always thought that is was just a difference in looks. And definitely get ceramic if your gonna wrap them.

[kommon_sense]

stainless because of where you live...

[CivicY8]

do they make actual any difference in power? i'm in ca so would it matter also. I hear the cermaic will break before the stainless is that true? also will wrapping my cermanic ones help at all?

[duce78]

I dont think its a good idea to wrap your header. It might damage it over time.

Originally Posted by duce78

I dont think its a good idea to wrap your header. It might damage it over time.

Great first post

No i would go ceramic and i used wrap on my headers and its great keeps the heat in the headers and out of the engine bay.

stainless is heavier, but more durable, ceramic is lighter and "prettier".

i had ceramic, they were light, that's a plus, but that bitch cracked on me after 2 years.
but i think it was from some old bitch ramming me from behind and bending my exhaust. i think it sent a pulse from the exhaust that cracked the headers. there wasn't a crack before she rammed me...so i'm not sure how durable those ceramics can be.

i have a y8 exhMani now.

[Garage_Boy]

I have a ceramic dc sports 4-2-1 on my Ej. My brother has it before me for like 3 years and nothing seem to happen. it has a little dent on it cause i think the people at ford dealership did it. (the car hit a deer and insurance told us to bring it there).

[Belette]

Stainless steel all the way. No rust, look shinny and less cheaper than ceramic coated, stainless is heavier, and more durable...

[Soulfly]

I have Stainless Headers.. and Personally.. I think they look Much better... and they cool down pretty quick.. Comparred to the stock.. cast headers.. :P

There are pros/cons to both...

The ceramic label come from the fact that its mild steel with a cermaic coating not that the header is made of ceramic. This keeps the header from rusting and insulates a lot of the heat. Because of this coating, they do not need header wrap.
But because of the mild steel core, it will eventually rust if the coating takes any abuse.

The stainless header is a good choice for longevity but it doesn't have any insulation properties. This causes a lot of under hood heat soak. You can wrap a stainless header with no problems if you follow the wrap directions.
The stainless is a better choice for anyone that is exposed to road salt.
But i's also a little more expensive then mild steel/ceramic.

Money no object/best setup: take a stainless header and get it Jet Coated with their insulating ceramic coating

[flatfourfan]

Over here we have problems with Stainless actually cracking by the welds. That's why we have Mild Steel Ceramic Coated Header sets with stainless cat back sections.

I'm going for heatwrap on my header soon anyway, so I'm not really worried about looks.