I installed a new set of the coated Dynomax headers a year ago. They were purchased new in 2002 and I installed them in 2003. I was skeptical of how well the coating would hold up but the advertised lifetime warranty impressed me enough to give them a shot. The coating lasted about 1 year under normal driving conditions. The coating has peeled off the bottom portions and is slowly peeling it's way up the primary tubes. The tops of the primary tubes are full of rust bubbles. The collectors look like they will soon break apart from the rust. The car has a very conservative 350, does not overheat, and has only been driven on weekends. It is stored outside though so I don't know if I expected too much of them.

The warranty on these headers has changed several times since I purchased them new in 2002. The warranty covers less and less each year:

2002 Dynomax Warranty (http://web.archive.org/web/20021231035234/www.dynomax.com/warranty.stm)
"5b. CERAMIC COATED HEADERS are covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. This Limited Lifetime Warranty becomes void if the product shows evidence of mishandling, bending or mutilating of parts, burnout resulting from improper tuning, visual rust or rust-through as the result of an external wrap or of a coating on the header not applied by Tenneco Automotive, use contrary to applicable instruction sheet, shipping damage or repair performed by other than Tenneco Automotive or their authorized representative. Gaskets, bolts, internal rust are not covered under the terms of this Warranty."

2003 Dynomax Warranty (http://web.archive.org/web/20031226193220/www.dynomax.com/warranty.stm)
the last line of the header warranty has now been modified with: "Paints, coating, gaskets, bolts, internal and external (visual) rust, rust-through, and cosmetic appearance are not covered under the terms of this Warranty."
external rust and rust through is what i thought i was buying out of by paying $130 more for coated headers :mad:

2004 Current Dynomax Warranty (http://www.dynomax.com/warranty.stm)
The current Dynomax warranty no longer mentions the headers

Jeg's Catalog 2002 (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?full=1&set_albumName=album241&id=warranty&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php)
"A Lifetime Warranty That Even Covers RUST!"

I'm not sure what the 2003 Jeg's catalogs said about warranties.

Jeg's Catalog 2004 (http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=1283&prmenbr=361)
"A Five Year Warranty That Even Covers RUST!"
Jeg's reduced the lifetime warranty to 5 years.


Dynomax (http://www.dynomax.com) manufactured the headers.
I purchased them from Jegs (http://www.jegs.com).
Jet Hot Coatings (http://www.jet-hot.com/) applies the coating for Dynomax.

http://elcaminocentral.com/albums/album241/82_3_001.sized.jpg
http://elcaminocentral.com/albums/album241/warranty.sized.jpg


They do fit really well though. :?

I had the same problem with those Dynomax headers! They are P.O.S.! My collecters started to peel and rust and it worked it way up the tubes. They do fit real nice and ad power, but you get what you pay for! I ended up up throwing them in the trash and buying a $600 pair of Hooker Super Competion ceramic coated headers and they are outstanding! One year with no discoloration or peeling! I bought into the Dynomax warranty as well, along with the $199 price tag! It wasn't even worth my time to get them recoated so I tossed them! -matt

Dynomax (http://www.dynomax.com) manufactured the headers.
I purchased them from Jegs (http://www.jegs.com).
Jet Hot Coatings (http://www.jet-hot.com/) applies the coating for Dynomax.
I'm surprised to see Jet Hot mentioned there. I've heard nothing but good things about their coating. I was planning on having them coat a set of Hooker Super Comps for me. I wonder if Dynomax just contracted them to apply another type of coating in their facility?

I have Jet-Hot coated Hooker headers now that are great! I also have Jet-hot coated headers on my Dragster and haven't had any problems! I will agree though, my dynomax "jet-hot" coated headers were absolute junk! -Matt

It would seem to me that the warranty in effect at the time of purchase is the warranty that applies. I'd make a claim if I were you.

The claim would be based on the time of purchase warranty. I have seen quite a bit of difference in the quality of coating between mfgs. I have street rod buddies that in general are very happy with coated headers. The headers on my flathead are three years old and look like new. They were coated by a local company here in Portland, Finishline Coatings. My SBC powered Elky has a set of Hedman coated Elites that look great.