[s-cars] 50k mile mild steel header update

[djdawson2 at aol.com]

As a point of reference, I figured I'd post an update on the life of a mild steel header.
 
At this point, the header has lasted past the 50k mile mark... after 1 year and 7 months of service.  So far, I couldn't be happier, as it has worked like a champ without fail.  The Swain coating has peeled significantly, and started within 6 months of its installation.  The header has been through drag strip use, as well as an abnormal amount of high speed / high load use, as I have been working in the "wild" west the vast majority of the time that this engine has been in my car.  I'm currently working in Montana, so the opportunity for fast mountain driving is ever present.  On many occasions, this header has been glowing red from the cylinder head to about 8 inches down the downpipe.  The header was installed with no external support bracketry.  One really nice feature... I've never had to tighten a loosened stud to the head... and never had a leak between the flange and the head.
 
Sadly, however, there will be no further mileage reports on this header... if anyone cared.  Recently, with 4 people in the car, I went over an abnormally large speed-bump that resulted in a substantial blow to the downpipe.  The result was that the downpipe was bent into the side of the trans, and the header was cracked at the flange where the turbo mounts.  So, it will require repair.  I was hoping to see how long it would last, but unfortunately, the test has come to an end due to the speed-bump.  The good news... the header is very easy to remove, and will be simple to repair.
 
Anyway... my .02 says a mild steel header on a street car works pretty darn good... FWIW.
 
Dave
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