 This graph shows the effectiveness of a ceramic coating on coated versus uncoated intercooler plumbing. |
A second type of coating helps control heat by eliminating friction on its own, and by more efficiently controlling the way oil disperses on the part itself. This helps in two ways. If the oil is more evenly dispersed across the part, surface lubrication is improved and heat buildup is reduced. Moreover, the coating itself offers a measure of friction prevention. Second, if the oil itself is not beading up on the part it can more efficiently transfer heat away as it flows off the part. These types of coatings are known as solid dry film, or SDF.
 Keeping heat inside a header is a good thing, and so are the way coated headers look – run after run with no blues involved. |
 Add a coating to intake manifolds, intercooler plumbing, turbo housings, exhaust manifolds, and valve covers to achieve the performance trifecta of increased horsepower, good looks, and improved durability. |
Finally, coatings just look bitchen'. A ceramic coating on an external part will look good and add heat control. The coated part is not necessarily one of those you'll have to close up into an engine, under a valve cover, or into a clutch can unseen. Coated intake manifolds not only look sweet, but also reflect power-robbing engine heat away from the intake charge. Exhaust components will look great for a long time, and help get the exhaust out the tailpipe or zoomies faster through increased scavenging.
Intercooler and turbocharger plumbing is also a perfect place for a ceramic coating that looks awesome, and prevents the turbocharger plumbing from acting as a big heat soak under the hood. The biggest intercooler around won't do much good if the plumbing lets engine heat back in to the system. When it comes to internal combustion, controlling heat by controlling where it goes or reducing friction is the key to harnessing maximum horsepower.
Naturally aspirated gasoline, supercharged alcohol, turbocharged diesel, or injected on nitro-methane, if heat gets out of bounds you'll have a mess on your hands. Coatings can help keep the mess under control, and are available out of the box for your SBC or can be custom applied to most anything, even the pistons and valve train in that AMC 401 powered Gremlin. 
SOURCES:
| HPC West 14788 S. Heritagecrest Way Bluffdale, UT 84065 801-501-8303 http://www.hpcoatings.com |
MAHLE Motorsport 270 Rutledge Road, Unit B Fletcher, NC 28732 Phone (888) 255-1942 http://www.mahlemotorsports.com |
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