header wraps, a good idea? Options

[DeW_H0e_GT]

hi all,
does any one installed some header wraps on their ride?...i heard it actually cool sdown the header's temp.....any gains expected from it?

[thedevilmaycrie]

I'd concider it more of a protective measure... that and it will cool down your engine bay temp...

-DMC

[DeW_H0e_GT]

any idea if this' going to be hard to install?...

[thedevilmaycrie]

i would think not... however ive never done it myself...

-DMC

[Kwanza26]

it cools down the engine bay temp but can sometimes cause cracks in the header...

[CheesyLobster]

Header wraps are not for protection, they are for insulation. You want the header to get hot and stay hot, because at higher temps its easier to move air through the header. It makes the engine overall more efficient. That is why manifolds will come with a heat shield; to hold heat in. I'll say that if you have a header, you probably want to wrap it up. And I would assume that it would be quite easy to install as well.

[GT4WRC]

it cools down the engine bay temp but can sometimes cause cracks in the header...
[right][snapback]284050[/snapback][/right]

Yep. The wrap is designed to keep heat 'in'. This has two effects. Firstly, it keeps the exhaust gasses hotter and, as a result, the travel faster which is good for performance. This is especially so on a turbo car. Secondly, and not so good, it also dramatically raises the temperature of the exhaust manifold. A manifold which has not been designed and built to withstand such high thermal stresses will eventually crack. Obviously not good.
Another issue which people don't realise, is that putting untreated exhaust wrap on a cast steel manifold can dramatically shorten its life. Why? Because the woven 'bandage' wrapped around the manifold absorbs moisture and it becomes trapped under the layers. Moisture and steel are not the best room mates for obvious reasons One potential solution is to coat the wrap with several coats of VHT exhaust paint to help keep any moisture out.
HTH
Gary

This post has been edited by GT4WRC: May 7, 2005 - 4:41 PM

[pistatio56]

is this the same wraping that people use on their motorcycle exhayst to keep their legs from getting burned?


EDIT: wow, that picture is rediculously large

This post has been edited by pistatio56: May 7, 2005 - 4:58 PM

[slvrblt]

This is the response that I got back from Genie about putting a header wrap on;

Hello, Yes it is safe to apply heat wrap, but not advised as the wrap
has a tendency to trap moisture and crystalizes the pipes
over time causing them to crack and fail.
Regars
Sean
Genie Headers

Another option is to get the header ceramic coated.

[lagos]

i use the stuff on my intercooler piping in the engine bay. it really helps reduce the heat by a lot.

[GT4WRC]

This is the response that I got back from Genie about putting a header wrap on;

Hello, Yes it is safe to apply heat wrap, but not advised as the wrap
has a tendency to trap moisture and crystalizes the pipes
over time causing them to crack and fail.
Regars
Sean
Genie Headers

Isn't that just about the same as I said
Gary

This post has been edited by GT4WRC: May 7, 2005 - 6:15 PM

[DeW_H0e_GT]

where would i find info on genie headers?...

[Smlogg]

I thought genie only made headers for 5th gen celica's

[DeW_H0e_GT]

yea you're right.....pardon me for the clueless-ness....