Regarding header coatings, I think much to do with the quality of the job is the people doing the work. I have had several sets of headers done at a couple of different local (at the time) shops. The last 2 sets were done at one shop, a pair of SBF Flowtechs, and the FPAs on my 428 59 Meteor. The Small block headers were done 4 years ago, in the silvery/almost chrome looking finish, 4 years of racing they still look like new. The 59s FPAs were also done about 4 years ago, but sat un used until this past June. Since then I drove the car a little over 2000 miles, and they also look like new. The FPAs were coated in a dark ceramic gray, which they said would be better for lowering underhood temperatures. The FPAs are 1 piece headers, the FlowTechs have a single slip tube. The headers from my FE Fairmont, were custom built by TomP, and have slip on collectors with 8 individual primary tubes. You would thinks with all the separate tubes, that those headers would be able to have the best prep, due to total accesability , but that was not the case. A different company coated those headers, and they showed scratches and rust pitting within a year of racing service. They were also the most expensive set to have coated, due to the multi piece construction, despite the fact that they were coated several years before the other 2 sets.
