VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Ceramic coating exhaust manifold

I saw something interesting on Wheeler Dealers the other day, they were restoring a 1962 British sports car and they ceramic coated the exhaust manifold to reduce heat in the engine compartment which supposedly increased horsepower. Is there any truth in this logic? In researching this idea I came across the topic of using high temperature heat tape which does basically the same thing. It's my thought that anything that keeps high heat away from the carburetor will help starting when the engine gets hot. Your thoughts?

I recall that ceramic coatings and heat tape is intended to help with exhaust scavenging. It's suppose to keep the exhaust gases hot and expanding so they move faster through the exhaust, ultimately helping draw more air into the intake side. I can't see the effect being very great on a vintage engine but might squeak a few HP out of a very efficient performance engine.

It may help on some engines with some design shortcomings by keeping heat away from starters or carbs as you suggest.

The heat tape is inexpensive and might be worth a try--thanks for your input. I've struggled with heat problems on various systems for years.

A friend of mine had his exhaust manifold on his Triumph TR3 ceramic
coated. He read an article where an uncoated manifold measured 870 degrees at shutdown and 520 degrees a minute later. The coated manifold measured 258 degrees and 195 degrees respectively. This may help to prevent carburetors boiling over and vapour lock. Can't imagine that it would help much with power on a simple engine. Actually the hot exhaust on my 28 comes in handy in winter. All very interesting.

Those temperature readings are amazing! Thanks for sharing, I think it's worth checking out.