Author Topic: Manifold ceramic coating  (Read 2969 times)

mauro12

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Manifold ceramic coating
« on: January 12, 2021, 11:24:18 »
Hello guys, I was wondering if somebody has ever tried to ceramic coat the intake manifold of our car. I read somewhere that could give up to 6%increase in power and decrease the heat under the bonnet up to 20%.
Do you know something about it ?
Thank you
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

MikeSimon

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2021, 13:14:38 »
It is probably a misunderstanding. The numbers you quote are most likely referring to the coating of the exhaust manifold. This is commonly done in the performance business
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

mauro12

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2021, 13:36:20 »
Yes I’m sorry I meant the exausted manifold obviously. The question is still the same .
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2021, 14:12:38 »
I regret I did not do mine. I would do it white. I would not expect performance increase, but better look and durability.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

mauro12

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2021, 16:45:29 »
It seems that the increase of performance is sure . I just painted the valve cover and I was thinking  to remove the intake manifold and exhaust manifold and coat the the exhaust one . Also the ceramic coating can withstand temperatures up to 2000degrees Celsius
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2021, 16:53:09 »
Painted valve cover? With what, if I may ask?
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

MikeSimon

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2021, 17:01:40 »
The coating of the exhaust manifold is most effective on the inside. This is where heat losses to the engine compartment are affected.
In performance applications of engines, headers are sometimes wrapped with a heat insulating material.
Painting the outside has less of an effect on performance. The difference is the same as between a black and silver engine housing. Black dissipates heat better than a light color. A light color holds heat in.

While I would not paint a valve cover for aesthetic reasons, there are several high temperature silver engine paints on the market. Mainly for marine applications. Some can come close to the original color of the valve cover. I had my valve cover vapor blasted (so did Johnk) and coated it with a high temp clear coat from VHT. Mainly to restore the original look, not for performance.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

wwheeler

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2021, 18:48:52 »
Here is who did mine - https://swaintech.com/race-coatings/race-coating-descriptions/white-lightning-exhaust-coatings/

Looks nice and is very close to the whitish silver look as seen in factory pictures. Attached is what they look like on a 220SE engine.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

TJMart

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2021, 21:45:22 »
MikeSimon,

May I ask who did your vapor blast?

Many Thanks

Tony
Tony
1970 280SL, 4 Speed

mauro12

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2021, 22:07:54 »
This is exactly what I would like to do for my exhaust manifold . Reduce heat and increase power .
I painted my valve cover with regular paint, it looks nice now
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

RAY

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2021, 22:37:39 »
Yes I had mine done mainly to help reduce the heat in the engine compartment, which it does, but I also had the conecting downpipe done to just under the car to to reduce heat transfer into the cabin, the floor always got hot which it no longer does. In addition I wrapped the section of the twin pipes that run behind the heat shield in an exhaust insulating wrap which has further reduced heat transmission, which means a happy wife. It also does give a very nice hard wearing finish. Can't say I have felt a performance improvement but IMO I get good fuel consumption 27mpg but i,m sure that can't all be down to ceramic coating.

MikeSimon

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2021, 13:01:27 »
MikeSimon,

May I ask who did your vapor blast?

Many Thanks

Tony

Friend of mine has a shop. Many places around that do it now. Best is, to look for someone locally. Shipping cost is more than the blasting.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Shvegel

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2021, 20:57:25 »
I did mine for appearances.  Also Swaintech.

Pawel66

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2021, 00:39:53 »
That's a one good looking manifold!
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

FresnoBob

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Re: Manifold ceramic coating
« Reply #14 on: January 26, 2021, 23:40:32 »
I glass beaded both my intake manifold and valve cover and then coated them with Nyalic, which was recommended by someone on this forum. 

https://www.nyalic.com

Dirt and grease just wipes off now and the finish isn't too shiny. 
Bob Comstock
1966 230 SL Euro Auto
2017 AMG C43 Cabriolet