Header: Stainless vs. Mild

[Roen]

I'm inferring that stainless is a better material than mild steel, or do I have it backwards?

[vex]

Originally Posted by Roen

I'm inferring that stainless is a better material than mild steel, or do I have it backwards?

Yes and no. Really depends on your application of what you desire/need. If you want a header that's not going to be wrapped and not going to be used to spool a turbo, then by all means go with the stainless.

If however you're going to be spooling a turbo the less heat that the header absorbs the better (however the cast Iron one's do quite well if not better at spooling a turbo). Your biggest thing you want is to make sure you keep heat in the manifold and not in your engine bay. Stainless steel is known to crack if not welded correctly in/on the manifold, it's also known to crack if you decide to wrap it. It all depends.