Ceramic exhaust coating
Discussion
In a bid to reduce engine bay heat, which is contributing to hot (and at times boiling) fuel I am about to have my factory headers ceramic coated.
The original coating appears to have perished/burnt off. I understand that Zircotec or similar results in the headers being almost cool enough to touch within minutes of switching the engine off. That certainly can't be said for mine at the moment!
My limited understanding of ceramic coating is that the cheaper ones are applied like paint and wear off, the more expensive ones should last longer (and reduce heat better). So I am thinking of either Zircotec Performance White, or purely for aesthetics the slightly more expensive Performance colour range.
The headers must be the biggest source of heat, and are in places pretty close to fuel pipes and tanks. So I am hoping this will sort out my intermittent issue.
The deterioration of the original coating may explain why when I first built the car I had very little issues with heat - it has got worse with time.
Anyone else done this? Any thoughts?
Mark
The original coating appears to have perished/burnt off. I understand that Zircotec or similar results in the headers being almost cool enough to touch within minutes of switching the engine off. That certainly can't be said for mine at the moment!
My limited understanding of ceramic coating is that the cheaper ones are applied like paint and wear off, the more expensive ones should last longer (and reduce heat better). So I am thinking of either Zircotec Performance White, or purely for aesthetics the slightly more expensive Performance colour range.
The headers must be the biggest source of heat, and are in places pretty close to fuel pipes and tanks. So I am hoping this will sort out my intermittent issue.
The deterioration of the original coating may explain why when I first built the car I had very little issues with heat - it has got worse with time.
Anyone else done this? Any thoughts?
Mark
I havn't done it yet, but when I get to that stage of my build, I will certainly get the manifolds coated. I'll choose Zircotec for the excellent comments you hear, even if the treatment comes at a certain cost. IMO under the clam heat management is essential to a good running engine. It's a no brainer when you see the manifolds get to cherry red at WOT
UltimaCH said:
I havn't done it yet, but when I get to that stage of my build, I will certainly get the manifolds coated. I'll choose Zircotec for the excellent comments you hear, even if the treatment comes at a certain cost. IMO under the clam heat management is essential to a good running engine. It's a no brainer when you see the manifolds get to cherry red at WOT
I can vouch for temperature being something you need to keep down! I think the early cars with 300 or so hp were fine, but with more power comes more heat, and the heat gets to the fuel. I'm really hoping this will sort out my issue, I have done a couple of other mods but I still have fuel temp rising and rising even in open traffic with good airflow and not massively hot outside temps. I've just sent Zircotec a message so hopefully will get them done in the next week or 2.I have had both Camcoat and Zircotec (on the same set of headers)
I had Camcoat first, the black satin and applied by them on unused headers. TBH I can't remember exactly when it was done; I think in the mid-2000's. It seemed to be more of a spray paint coating and it lasted about 5 years before it started to flake away. By 2013 it as quite patchy and did not look good; pretty sure that any thermal blocking ability it had disappeared.
I pulled the engine in 2016 to do a full FI conversion and took headers to Zircotec (who just happen to be down the road from me). They took the headers in the condition they were in, blasted them clean in and out and applied their Primary Black coating for £530. Its definitely more of a 'coating' seemingly a lot thicker than the Camcoat. Subjectively it seems better at blocking heat.
Obviously, there's a decade difference in technology and the Zircotec hasn't been on for the same about of time.... But if and when I do an LS conversion, I will be going down the Zircotec route again. I think its worth the extra money.
Some pictures:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5QvFfAqD8aLCsm2t7
I'll leave you to work out the before and after...
I had Camcoat first, the black satin and applied by them on unused headers. TBH I can't remember exactly when it was done; I think in the mid-2000's. It seemed to be more of a spray paint coating and it lasted about 5 years before it started to flake away. By 2013 it as quite patchy and did not look good; pretty sure that any thermal blocking ability it had disappeared.
I pulled the engine in 2016 to do a full FI conversion and took headers to Zircotec (who just happen to be down the road from me). They took the headers in the condition they were in, blasted them clean in and out and applied their Primary Black coating for £530. Its definitely more of a 'coating' seemingly a lot thicker than the Camcoat. Subjectively it seems better at blocking heat.
Obviously, there's a decade difference in technology and the Zircotec hasn't been on for the same about of time.... But if and when I do an LS conversion, I will be going down the Zircotec route again. I think its worth the extra money.
Some pictures:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5QvFfAqD8aLCsm2t7
I'll leave you to work out the before and after...
i would definitely recommend getting a quality ceramic coating.
I run my GTR for 45 minutes steady at 6500-6800 rpm without letting up on the open road racing I do, and have not experienced fuel problems. The headers get hot enough to turn the yellow gel coat a n orange color (till it cools off again), but everything in the engine bay runs flawlessly
I run my GTR for 45 minutes steady at 6500-6800 rpm without letting up on the open road racing I do, and have not experienced fuel problems. The headers get hot enough to turn the yellow gel coat a n orange color (till it cools off again), but everything in the engine bay runs flawlessly
RAT GTR said:
i would definitely recommend getting a quality ceramic coating.
I run my GTR for 45 minutes steady at 6500-6800 rpm without letting up on the open road racing I do, and have not experienced fuel problems. The headers get hot enough to turn the yellow gel coat a n orange color (till it cools off again), but everything in the engine bay runs flawlessly
Are your headers untreated - if they are glowing orange?! Is it your car that did the speed runs with Guy Martin in his Transit van? Very cool.I run my GTR for 45 minutes steady at 6500-6800 rpm without letting up on the open road racing I do, and have not experienced fuel problems. The headers get hot enough to turn the yellow gel coat a n orange color (till it cools off again), but everything in the engine bay runs flawlessly
Am taking mine to Zircotec on Friday. Spoke to them today and agreed to go ahead. Will post pics once done. Hoping to see big heat reduction!
Mark
I had my headers coated by Zircotec 6 years ago in a dark grey colour and they still look like they did when they were freshly finished. It is expensive but I can confirm it works.
My car has now covered over 14000 miles including in 37deg C temperatures.
The above said, it is probably not the temperature under the claim causing fuel heating.
My issue was caused by excessive fuel circulation. Basically the fuel pump was circulating far more fuel than was necessary to supply the injectors with a constant 60psi. I fitted a fuel-on-demand pump controller which you program to deliver only enough fuel to meet throttle demands. I am able to monitor both fuel pressure and temperature so that I can tell it’s working.
By all means get the Zircotec - great stuff. Just don’t be surprised if it doesn’t fix the fuel temp issue. Fit sensors so you know what pressure and temperature your fuel is.
My car has now covered over 14000 miles including in 37deg C temperatures.
The above said, it is probably not the temperature under the claim causing fuel heating.
My issue was caused by excessive fuel circulation. Basically the fuel pump was circulating far more fuel than was necessary to supply the injectors with a constant 60psi. I fitted a fuel-on-demand pump controller which you program to deliver only enough fuel to meet throttle demands. I am able to monitor both fuel pressure and temperature so that I can tell it’s working.
By all means get the Zircotec - great stuff. Just don’t be surprised if it doesn’t fix the fuel temp issue. Fit sensors so you know what pressure and temperature your fuel is.
Storer said:
I had my headers coated by Zircotec 6 years ago in a dark grey colour and they still look like they did when they were freshly finished. It is expensive but I can confirm it works.
My car has now covered over 14000 miles including in 37deg C temperatures.
The above said, it is probably not the temperature under the claim causing fuel heating.
My issue was caused by excessive fuel circulation. Basically the fuel pump was circulating far more fuel than was necessary to supply the injectors with a constant 60psi. I fitted a fuel-on-demand pump controller which you program to deliver only enough fuel to meet throttle demands. I am able to monitor both fuel pressure and temperature so that I can tell it’s working.
By all means get the Zircotec - great stuff. Just don’t be surprised if it doesn’t fix the fuel temp issue. Fit sensors so you know what pressure and temperature your fuel is.
Thanks - I also have fitted a fuel on demand unit a couple of years ago which may have helped but hasn't fixed the issue. It makes the car quieter though! I have also increased the fuel line bore in the HP system and added a heat shield to my swirl pot. Plus recently added a cooling fan at the rear which does a great job in traffic.My car has now covered over 14000 miles including in 37deg C temperatures.
The above said, it is probably not the temperature under the claim causing fuel heating.
My issue was caused by excessive fuel circulation. Basically the fuel pump was circulating far more fuel than was necessary to supply the injectors with a constant 60psi. I fitted a fuel-on-demand pump controller which you program to deliver only enough fuel to meet throttle demands. I am able to monitor both fuel pressure and temperature so that I can tell it’s working.
By all means get the Zircotec - great stuff. Just don’t be surprised if it doesn’t fix the fuel temp issue. Fit sensors so you know what pressure and temperature your fuel is.
I have been taking heat readings and the fuel is still getting very hot all round including in the tanks. The headers are the biggest heat source and are close to the tanks and the fuel lines.
The fact you have both FOD and Zircotec and you have no issues gives me hope that this will work. Taking 200 degrees C off the header can only help!
Mark
I also had mine coated with zircotec. The difference on a travkday is incredible.
It appears wolf coatings do the same product in a more limited colour range.
Camcoat say the offer similar benefits but it’s a cheaper product that I’ve seen numerous examples where it flakes off, however I don’t know if that’s l due to misuse.
All I know is zircotec works well.
Choose the colour carefully - the dark ones, especially metallic mark very easily
It appears wolf coatings do the same product in a more limited colour range.
Camcoat say the offer similar benefits but it’s a cheaper product that I’ve seen numerous examples where it flakes off, however I don’t know if that’s l due to misuse.
All I know is zircotec works well.
Choose the colour carefully - the dark ones, especially metallic mark very easily
deadscoob said:
I also had mine coated with zircotec. The difference on a travkday is incredible.
It appears wolf coatings do the same product in a more limited colour range.
Camcoat say the offer similar benefits but it’s a cheaper product that I’ve seen numerous examples where it flakes off, however I don’t know if that’s l due to misuse.
All I know is zircotec works well.
Choose the colour carefully - the dark ones, especially metallic mark very easily
They tell me the lighter colours fade more than darker ones. So I was going to go for darker on their advice. What colour do you have?It appears wolf coatings do the same product in a more limited colour range.
Camcoat say the offer similar benefits but it’s a cheaper product that I’ve seen numerous examples where it flakes off, however I don’t know if that’s l due to misuse.
All I know is zircotec works well.
Choose the colour carefully - the dark ones, especially metallic mark very easily
Thanks
Mark
Early impressions are that the Zircotec product makes a massive difference. There is almost no radiant heat from the headers now, and opening the clam no longer releases scorching hot air. I would say this looks like a very good thing to have got done and I hope it will make a huge improvement to overall running including hot fuel.
Mark
Mark
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