Hey all, I currently have a Hotshot 4-1 header on my car, but I'm thinking of switching back to the stock exhaust manifold without a heat shield. But it's really ugly and rusted looking. How did you guys paint the stock manifold, and does it last? I'm only thinking of switching back to make my car more stock, as well as see if I get more low end back with the stock manifold, since I don't really need the high end...

i painted mine with 1200 degree engine paint from wal mart. the alum look stuff. i just took a wire brush and got after the rust and painted. looked pretty good, just make sure to get most of the rust off or ir wont stick. your car will smell when you drive for a while, but once it cures its cool.

I was wondering the same thing myself. I still don't think I will try it though. I am in the process of polishing the heat shield ;)

i used plastikote high temp paint for my headers. its got ceramic in it to keep the heat in it'll smoke to, for about 5-10 minutes, but everything with ceramic in it does(my header did it when it was new).

side-thought...probably a stupid one at that.....

But I remember someone warning me not to paint my brake calipers(which I did anyway), because the paint will trap the heat in and eventually cause them to crack. Do you think that this is even a possibility, maybe with the higher heat of the E manifold?......no problems with my brakes so far.

the header came ceramic coated from greddy so it would hold some of the heat in. exhaust wrap has ceramic in it so it holds the heat in so the engine bay stays cooler. so i don't think painting the manifold or header would cause a cracking problem.

that's what I was thinking....just a thought though

high temp. engine enamel in aluminum. painted and let dry.



later

I have 2 heat shields. One is polished all to hell. SHines like chrome. Other is mildly done- I got lazy. I use the duler one for daily driving and slap the other one on at shows.

>i used plastikote high temp paint for my headers. its got
>ceramic in it to keep the heat in
> it'll smoke
>to, for about 5-10 minutes, but everything with ceramic in
>it does(my header did it when it was new).

actually it was dupicolor

mine looks like shuwa29. Just did it last night when i put my engine back together. so i have no idea if it will stay or not

THanks guys, what did you all use to clean the rust etc off? Anything besides a wire brush? And how well do I need to clean it. I figure I'll paint it now while it's off the car...btw, any probs with excess heat? I'm assuming not since an aftermarket header does not have a heat shield anyway.

<====>---1200, 1500, 1200, 500--- don't get the 500 degree paint(far right) it will burn off. perferably use the one on the far left since it is ceramic enhanced

hay man i had mine crome plated, then just took high temp paint and sprayed it on the inside, this will keep the chrome from getting to hot, and turning rainbow colors

I used the 1500 degree header paint on my shit and it still burnt off. That shit sucks!!! I'm gonna paint it with that copper shit like that guy with the custom turbo kit did so maybe it will turn grey like his did. I hate me some goddamn Pacesetter! I need the HRC exhaust.

hi temp paint wont keep heat transfer from blueing the chrome if u wnat it to look chrome and never discolor get a ceramic coat on the header and it will last virtually forever,

the paint wont hold in any more heat nor will it mater the slight amount that it did,

u can use a wire wheel /brush , sand blaster , hot tank to clean it up rust buster in the little bottle works pretty well use soem alcohol and other substances...

the ceramic based paint will work the best for this job but still can burn off

Hey Marcus, If you do switch over and feel like getting rid of the header. Let me know. I might want it.