Breaking in Ceramic Coated Headers

[candy-a-Mach1]

Anyone break in a motor with new, ceramic coated headers? I know that the supplier tells you not to. They apparently need several moderate heat cycles to cure-not a 20 minute 2000 rpm cam break-in. But heck, who wants to bolt rusted old exhaust manifolds onto a brand new 400HP beast for the cam break in, then disconnect everything to put the headers on? Better safe than sorry, but I was hoping to hear some folks say they've done it without any problems.

Finially getting close.....

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

Hey I haven't met anyone who has tried it. It's not worth the money to risk it. Like you said better safe than sorry. I have the exact same car as you and i plan on building the engine to get the power you have. My car currently dynoed at 155rwhp (i am at 5000ft elevation) and i am hoping to get atleast 400fwhp. Can you enlighten me as to what you have done to your engine please?? I was planning on a performer rpm intake, new cam(don't know which one), and afr 185cc heads. I have ordered a set of hedman elite headers and hope to setup a dr. gas 2.5" dual exhaust with X pipe. What do you think??

 

[69stanger]

Hey I haven't met anyone who has tried it. It's not worth the money to risk it. Like you said better safe than sorry. I have the exact same car as you and i plan on building the engine to get the power you have. My car currently dynoed at 155rwhp (i am at 5000ft elevation) and i am hoping to get atleast 400fwhp. Can you enlighten me as to what you have done to your engine please?? I was planning on a performer rpm intake, new cam(don't know which one), and afr 185cc heads. I have ordered a set of hedman elite headers and hope to setup a dr. gas 2.5" dual exhaust with X pipe. What do you think??

do you know how much your car would dyno at sea-level?

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

Probably around 200-210rwhp i really need to get my engine going. I have been working with ronstang and he has been a big help. I'm just looking for other setups for different ideas.

 

[69stanger]

Probably around 200-210rwhp i really need to get my engine going. I have been working with ronstang and he has been a big help. I'm just looking for other setups for different ideas.

one more question was it a mustang dyno you took your car too?

Im not sure what exact set up you are looking for but I am very satisifed with my 270H cam, its great.

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

I don't think so i took it there for a tuning on my carb and he just gave me a statement with it after he was done. Where did you get that cam at?

 

[candy-a-Mach1]

I have the exact same car as you and i plan on building the engine to get the power you have. My car currently dynoed at 155rwhp (i am at 5000ft elevation) and i am hoping to get atleast 400fwhp. Can you enlighten me as to what you have done to your engine please?? I was planning on a performer rpm intake, new cam(don't know which one), and afr 185cc heads. I have ordered a set of hedman elite headers and hope to setup a dr. gas 2.5" dual exhaust with X pipe. What do you think??

1973 351W block, bored 0.040
Speed Pro Hypereutectic Pistons (9.5:1)
Twisted Wedge heads
Stealth Intake
Hedman Elite headers
Comp Cams XE274H cam (274/286, 0.519. 0.523)
Balanced, blue printed
Speed Demon 650
3.50 Traction Lock
Stock Wheels (for now)
Built C4
2800 stall converter
X-pipe with 2.5" duals (planned)
Accel or Mallory Electronic Ignition (planned)

I plan to drop it in this weekend. I hope that I'm not too optomistic at 400 hp, but considering some of the other vehicles on line here, good tuning should get me there.

 

[Sicarius428]

Oops, I didn't know that I wasn't suppose to break in a new engine with ceramic coated headers. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now. I don't notice any problems with them... yet.
Kevin

 

[washMO66]

I broke in my motor with hooker super comps, ceramic coated.

What exactly should I be looking for that may be wrong with them? They look like they did new and I haven't changed the gaskets, had to tighten the bolts or anything. They are solid....

 

[candy-a-Mach1]

I broke in my motor with hooker super comps, ceramic coated.

What exactly should I be looking for that may be wrong with them? They look like they did new and I haven't changed the gaskets, had to tighten the bolts or anything. They are solid....

"Holley (Hooker Hedders) limits the warranty on ceramic coatings to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 90 days from date of purchase. The limited coating warranty does not apply to any products which have been subjected to adverse conditions such as high heat encountered during engine break in or if used during any racing activity. "

My Hedman Hedders had a bright orange paper in the box that said the same thing. I'm just not seeing how a 2000 RPM cam break in is much different from me putting my headers on an exiting motor, then getting on the interstate for a 15 minute ride at 2500 RPM, except for a little more air movement in the engine compartment-but I can take care of that with some fans.

I was hoping to hear some folks say exactly what you did, which is what I would expect from a mild street engine. A 14:1 compression nitro-methane burning race motor would probably cause more issues.

Thanks

 

[69stanger]

I don't think so i took it there for a tuning on my carb and he just gave me a statement with it after he was done. Where did you get that cam at?

I got my cam at P.A.W for about 109.00 I belive.

 

[Edbert]

It is good advice that you get (just rent the damn thing) one of those 3-4 foot shop fans that the dyno shops use. Put it a couple of feet out in front of the car and let it run during the entire break-in period. If you can get enough air moving through the engine compartment during the 2000RPM break in, overheating of ANYTHING is pretty much ruled out.

 

[ssppiitt]

I posted a thread on cam and ceramic coated header break-in a while back. Let me see if I can find it.

 

[ssppiitt]

Here is the thread:

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=422795&highlight=header+break

Since I posted this though I also found out that you only need to break in a cam if it is not a hydraulic cam.

 

[PoliceInterceptor]

Here is the thread:

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=422795&highlight=header+break

Since I posted this though I also found out that you only need to break in a cam if it is not a hydraulic cam.

Say what...?

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

I got my cam at P.A.W for about 109.00 I belive.

What kind of power feel does your cam give you. Low RPM Nailing to the seat, High RPM Suction, Both(I hope)?? And does your fit with at stock torque converter, i think it should but i don't know for sure.

 

[69stanger]

What kind of power feel does your cam give you. Low RPM Nailing to the seat, High RPM Suction, Both(I hope)?? And does your fit with at stock torque converter, i think it should but i don't know for sure.

I made a thread a while ago about my impressions of the cam, hope this helps Click here for the link

My heads and intake manifold are holding me back from fully exploiting the high RPM capabilites of the cam. the cam works fine with my stock converter it idles around 750-800rpm.

oh yeah since the install I have tunned my engine so I dont experience any loss of low RPM torque that I talked about in that thread.

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

Good stuff Candy-A, Got any videos of your car by any chance, I really wanna see that baby in action. It must fly and sound awesome. I kinda want to have a feel for the sound it would give.

 

[deadmilenko]

I broke in my Super Comp Hooker Ceramic when I did my motor swap. Havent had I problem yet.

 

[ssppiitt]

Say what...?

What?