and which one is better?i'm looking into buying some aftermarket headers, but companies make them in both chrome and stainless steel
Chrome looks better, but it will eventually rust if it's exposed to enough moisture. Stainless steel will not rust. I would spend the extra money and get the stainless headers.
I know nothing of aftermarket headers so can't help you there, but - chrome is a coating on metal. Stainless Steel is a type of metal.
For headers go with stainless steel. Chrome holds heat in, and after a while it will discolor due to the high heat of the heads.
Chrome is a very hard metal that is plated over regular steel. It often chips and cracks off, allowing rust to form underneath. Stainless steel is an alloy of steel and nickel (I think) - sometimes the pipe is solid stainless, more often it's a coating. It doesn't rust, but also doesn't look as shiny in the beginning (stainless always looks better after a little time 0 chrome plate never lasts.) It's also softer, meaning that it doesn't tend to flake off like chrome does. Chrome plating if mainly for looks - stainless steel is for the longevity of your new parts. Chrome also tends to hold the heat in - not always good, as it will discolour with intense heat (very common on exhaust pipes), and the greater expansion and contraction during its usual heating and cooling cycles tends to make it flake off more easily. Bottom line - are you more interested in performance and keeping the car running well, or are you interested in temporary, short-term looks? After all, there's a reason that pro race engines don't use chrome plating.
