Header Wrap...
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Header Wrap...
Hey guys, ive heard some things about header wraps and am wondering whats true and not. i know they drastically reduce heat in the engine compartment, helping things like the starter. that makes sense, im wondering if they actually help in performance though? ...performance including economy? theres supposed to help milage right? at $70 for enough to wrap both sides, i would hope theyre good for something. anyone ever tried it and noticed improvements of any kind?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
Header Wrap...
I used it on the starter side of my 428 and didn't notice a big temp change near the header at idle. After revving it up a while, I noticed the header was red hot under the wrap and the other side wasn't red.
I does make it less noise and reduces heat somewhat, but the overall performance gains are marginal at best. If your carb draws it's air from the top of the engine bay, I'd spend the money on a cold-air setup that draws from the side of the rad. I've seen many of these at the junk yards, they use a plastic runner from near the battery area on the side of the rad, and then goes into the stock air cleaner.
I used TWO boxes of 2" x 50' to do ONE header. I have the Hooker super comps long style and this covered all the way back to the end of the header.
I also run the Thermo-Tec starter wrap and a steel plate between the header and the back of the starter to help control starter heat.
I does make it less noise and reduces heat somewhat, but the overall performance gains are marginal at best. If your carb draws it's air from the top of the engine bay, I'd spend the money on a cold-air setup that draws from the side of the rad. I've seen many of these at the junk yards, they use a plastic runner from near the battery area on the side of the rad, and then goes into the stock air cleaner.
I used TWO boxes of 2" x 50' to do ONE header. I have the Hooker super comps long style and this covered all the way back to the end of the header.
I also run the Thermo-Tec starter wrap and a steel plate between the header and the back of the starter to help control starter heat.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
Header Wrap...
Header Wraps are a mixed bag. 1. Header wraps do not increase exhaust effieciency. 2. Header wraps do shorten the life of your headers. 3.Headers are thin walled tubes which reject large amounts of heat into the engine compartment. 4. Increased underhood temps add up to decreased intake air densities. 5. The lower the air density into the Carb the lower the efficiency of the motor. 6. Most cars draw air from under the hood. 7. This air has been heated by the radiator and has a low density. 8. If air can be pulled from in front of the radiator a significant gain is possible. 9. Exhaust gasses are recirculated under the intake manifold to preheat fuel intake. 10. This heating of intake air is a horsepower loss to the engine and should be eliminated when considering intake air density.11. I'm digressing, Header wraps can lower under hood temps and give light gains to overall performance. There really good at protecting your starter.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
Kingfisher
Good Luck, Have Fun,
Kingfisher
