I have been thinking about wrapping my headers with thermo-tec exhaust wrap for two main reasons. One to cut down on resonance and also to keep a lower operating temperature for my engine. I have heard some on the forum say that wrapping headers will not b of any advantage, but why wouldn't any engine benefit from a lower operating temp? From what I have gathered wrapping the headers will significantly lower engine bay temps which would also allow for colder air being brought thru the airbox thus increasing power, if marginal, but still increasing power. If you paint the wrap after it cures that will stop from water damaging the wrap and rendering it useless and allowing it remain affecting for a while. I do have a few questions though. First off what is your opinion on the header wrap? Second do you also have to wrap the downpipe for this to be affecting or just to be more affective? Has anyone done this and seen good results or any noticeable gain or loss of resonance?

 

Wrapping the header does indeed lower temps significantly in the bay. But the problem is rain. Moisture gets trapped inside thus overtime cracking the header regardless if its stainless or ceramic.

If you do go through this route, you may just want to wrap the 2 upper header part. I wouldn't do the lower part for this reason.

 

Waste of time to wrap headers. Another thing to maintain and you wont see any gain. I'm not sure why you think it will reduce resonance. Resonance is an inherent problem with the headers, either they are loose (tighten them) or they have a defect (replace them).

 

Its recomended that you wrap the headers if you are running some sort of FI, as it reduces alot of the heat soak. If you are NA this would not really yield any results.