As far as I know no one on the board has yet used exhaust wrap. I was wondering if you of you had experience with it and whether or not it proves to be benefiical. My headers are coming in this week and I'll probably install them sometime soon. I wanted to see what I should do to them beforehand. I'd rather not have them sent out and pay a lot of money for a jetcoating or other mods such as that. Also, I just kinda like the LOOK of exhaust wrap. I've heard DEI is a good brand to look at. Any others?

What do you guys think of this in general?

 

I have had header wrap on my Vette and jet coating on my last crotch-rocket exhaust. The jet coating looks nicer, last longer and costs more - I had it done in black cause I had a C/F can. The header wrap probably did more to reduce heat, but tends to smoke when it gets wet, looks like crap after a short while and will frays at the edges. Also, it tends to collect - dirt, oils and other odds and ends. I guess if heat is the primary concern it is a good thing to do. I am in FL, but have not felt the need to wrap my CTs yet.

Hope this helps.
David-

 

is the wrap expensive? and what kind did you do?

 

The wrap and spray was about $50. I think I got it from Jegs, but that was a few years ago. May have gotten it from Ecklers or Mid-America (Corvette parts suppliers), but probably Jeg or Summit Racing.

 

before you do it, go to v6performance.net a few years back someone did a before and after dyno w/ headers he got wrapped and he lost HP compared to them when they were unwrapped.

 

I'll read it but needless to say the guy must have done it wrong or something of the sort because a loss in HP is not possible. The only thing I can imagine is when he reinstalled his headers with the wrap on he must have done it incorrectly. Many people from tons of different car applications use wrap as a means of readucing heat.

I'll check up on it anyways but still that writeup must be a fluke.

 

I remember this was brought up when the CT headers first came out. *I think* CT said it was bad for the headers b/c they heat up too much, but I assume its the same with any header (OBX or Stone).

 

I read this too but can't remember where. From what I understand, wrapping them does more damage than good.

 

You really shouldn't wrap stainless as the heat retension can weaken the welds. You normally only wrap cast manifolds or aluminumized steel pipe.

 

Way back when a friend of mine wrapped his headers (chevy) and they rusted. Little rust holes everywhere cause of moisture trapped in from the wrap. Personaly I would not wrap headers

 

I recall it have a dual advantage. The exhaust heats up faster, and the bay stays cooler. I read an FAQ on one of the sites and it said that the damage occurs when people think more is better and double up.

 

Also, there is a potential hazard with the wraps, albeit unlikely. In some cases people have spilled fluids on the wraps such as oil or transmission fluid. On a later driving cycle the wrap got hot enough to ignite the fluid and burned up the car.

As mentioned, this is VERY rare but something to be aware of when doing this. Do not spill potentially flamamble fluids on the wrap.

 

I read some where, on the Comtech forums page awhile back, that stainless steel headers don't transfer nearly as much heat as the stock ones do. Most of the heat goes on out with the exhaust.

 

What about coatings such as Swain Tech?

 

I haven't heard of this problem with the coatings nor do I know if it is an absolute about the wrap either.

 

Sup Hommie,
I just got my CT headers last week also, and I had mine Jet Coated. Let me tell you, it is so worth it. They look fuckin bomb, and it reduced the temp in the engine compartment by 300 degrees. If you want to get yours done, I can get the done for you for at cost since you are a member of this forum. It will cost $150 to get coated inside and out. All you have to do is send them to me and pay for shipping so I can return them to you. I will take it to the place where I got it done, its about 30 min. from my house. Well let me know. I will post pics of them soon. I FUCKIN love the CT headers, they are worth every single penny!!!

 

I used the ThermoTec wrap on my downpipe and portion of the exhaust manifold on the turbo-kit - it helped reduced under-hood temperatures SIGNIFICANTLY due to the placement of the turbo. However on our CL-S application, it won't do much good - plus I wouldn't help trap moisture in there on a $900 header!

 

PimpinCLS03 : thanks I'll definitely keep that in mind.

 

Wow, you must have a big problem then as my engine bay temps never got about about 170 - 180. If they were reduced 300 degrees then you must have been approaching 450 F and I doubt any of the sensors or plastic would last long at that temperature.

 

Wrong!

randomwalk101 has his headers wrapped. He's in Austin now. I dont know if he has his car with him. Try to PM him.

 

cool, I'll PM him now.

 

Im talking about reducing the temp on the headers themselves..... I don't know how much the actual temp is when using the stock manifold, but I was told by Jet-Hot that it can and will reduce temps up to 300 degrees.

 

If you insist on wrapping them its ok. I would just wrap the top two upper parts. I personally used the Thermotec. The header wraps are amazing!

Be sure to wear long sleeve shirt & buy some gloves. Or you will be itching forever.