Which headers to use?

Ceramic coatings are amazing stuff. Corrosion resistance is just a side benefit. The real benefit is the thermal barrier. It keeps the heat in the exhaust gas charge, which keeps exhaust gas velocities up, which improved exhaust scavenging (exiting exhaust draws a small vacuum in combustion chamber and helps slurp in the incoming fuel-air charge). And of course it reduces outside surface temps.

Header wrap is hard on headers. They hold moisture, and also greatly elevate the metal temperature. The header pipes will erode away from the inside out according to some tests I've read about. The reduction in material is measureable by weight. Ceramics coat the inside and outside of the pipe so the heat doesn't get to the metal so much.

 

Don't waste your time with the standard Pacesetter headers. The paint will burn off in about .02 seconds, and rust through if you see any water/mud. DAMHIK.

The noise can be limited somwhat by running the exhaust to the rear. My tailpipes are run really close to the tub, past the wheel, and I've never touched it wheeling. The muffler guy did put a crimp in it for clearance though. But it can be done.

But, I am also going back to stock manifolds (kept my originals). The headers are noisy, hot, and if you trail ride in the winter with your top on, you'll never defrost your windshield (lots of steam). I'm just trying to find a manifold that will work with my planned PS swap.

 

Thanks for all of the info everybody. I am at the point where I would like to free up my exhaust a bit. Not make it to loud but have a nice sound, but then again you are talking to a guy who thinks a 600hp cat with 8 inch straight pipes sounds cool. I have not made my decision yet but I am still weighing the pros and cons. All of you have helped me a lot. Thanks.

-Jim-

1971 :v6: CJ5 w/HEI and 45,000 +/- miles
2005 GMC 2500HD Duramax Diesel
1994 Tucker T1000 Sno-Cat. Used for grooming snowmobile trails.

 

Gasman has a supertrap on his 61. I'm impressed with the way he can adjust the sound level by just adding or removing discs. If I could figure out how to make them work on my Jeep, I'd spend the $$ for some..

 

I like my headers, inside the jeep at idle I don't smell any exhaust (no top anyway I haven't driven it with a top) and at idle inside the jeep it is pretty quiet-- suprisingly quiet. When you get on it though it sounds like 3 Harley's taking off.

Mine has cherry bombs, well, because they came on the headers from the PO of the headers, and they were new.

some sound clips are in this thread:
http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46185

 

supertrap is the only way to go built in spark arrestor can be tune for low end torque , sounds good and very small. Ran 2 inch pipe from front to supertrap Has a nice sound when you let off the gas .

 

I put side exhaust headers on my 1970. When it wears out I will go back to the original exhaust manifolds with a custom dual exhaust. Side outlets are noisy, hot and you get alot of fumes in the cab.