What are the thoughts on wrapping your headers with a heat reduction tape?
I here some say to do it to protect other engine accessories from heat like starters etc, and to also keep the temperature under the hood lower to reduce your air intake temp. Others say not to do this because you want the heat to dissipate from the engine as much as possible and wrapping will hinder that.
It would seem to me that it would be more important to keep the engine from getting to hot, and if the starter or something is to close, try to make some type of heat shield. As far as the air intake, one can also work with some modifications to accomplish that.
Any thoughts, experience, or expertise appreciated. I'm installing Borla Headers, Gibson Catback, Diablo Chip, and modifying my K&N filtered stock intake next week.

Thanks,

LIKENIT

One Lucky Guy!

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Did you post it in enough forums? I counted 4.

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I always thought that you wrap them to keep the exhaust gases from cooling too quickly and thereby losing exhaust gas velocity due to increased cooling of the exhaust gas. I always assumed that headers had a thinner wall of metal to absorb the heat (and create insulation for) compared to cast manifolds.

The same thinner wall, if true, would increase the heat transfer to the air making it hotter under the hood. I'm somewhat conflicted with this statement because I have heard that headers can actually lower the underhood temps because the stock cast manifold retain quite a bit of heat. So I'm a tad bit confused.

It's so easy with a motorcycle...

Seems the only way for the engine temp to increase is if the headers are installed without making changes to the intake and fuel parameters. Which could create a lean condition.

I say wrap them cause it looks cool.

 

The Banks kit comes with several heat shields- including one for the starter. I suspect you could make your own or buy them from some place like Summit if Borla doesn't include them. Before doing anything, check with Borla to see if wraps or coatings will void the warranty.

 

One Lucky Guy

Truck & Jayco
http://community.webtv.net/rogerfrom...SUPERDUTYJAYCO

MONSTA,

I hope I posted it in enough different forums to get relevant responces. I went in some I've never checked before. Got any suggestions for some I may not have thought of? Already did the Gas Forum on the Ford Diesel Site.
Banks and Borla both say not to wrap or apply anything, but I have seen it suggested in some posts also. I like to get different peoples perspective on things. This was the first time I had heard your perspective on exiting exhaust gas speed.
Maybe Ken will stop by and give his opinion on this.

Thanks,

LIKENIT

 

I seem to remember once reading that wrapping headers wasn't good for the metal in the headers.Over time it changed the properties of the metal and made it more brittle and prone to cracking.

 

i wouldnt wrap them if it is gonna be an everydat driver or driven in wet conditions. i have heard that the wrap will absorb the water and cause them to rust out out. if i where you i would seriously consider having them ceramic coated. it looks really good and it has the same effect.


-nathan

 

>Banks and Borla both say not to wrap or apply anything.

That should be enough to tell you to NOT wrap them. If they thought the heads or headers themselves could withstand the additional heat of wraps/coatings, I bet they (Banks & Borla) would offer them as an option for additional profit.

 

Borla and Banks are made from high quality stainless I believe and most other headers are not. They are different thickness of steel. Stainless has different heat transfer and containment qualities. You want the heat to go out of the exhaust and not transfered to the engine compartment. The non-stainless headers do improve with these sprayed coatings for heat flow and corrosion protection. We had a 86 150 with a 351HD and Flowteck headers (non-coated) and on a heavy pull of 800 miles non stop the heater box cover on the fire wall started to melt...but the headers really let it breath.