Engine Performance This section is for discussion on all engine building related questions.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: KPower

Header wrap?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-02-2010, 04:00 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
alik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Boston / '90 Mariner Blue
Posts: 330
Total Cats: 14
Default Header wrap?

Is it worth it?
Not trying to achieve higher exhaust temps, just have a roll lying around, and, it would be nice to get rid of the silly exhaust manifold cover.

Thanks!
alik is offline  
Old 03-02-2010, 04:43 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (9)
 
tasty danish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Yamato Japan
Posts: 691
Total Cats: 26
Default

It sure makes the engine bay cooler. I haven't messed with it on my miata, but on my rx7 with its sky-high EGT's it's a must, along with a turbo blanket. It pretty much ignited EVERYTHING within 6-10 inches of the turbo. After wrap, I can touch it, bare-handed.

Use hi-temp silicone spray-on sealant, helps keep water out of Yo Wrapz
tasty danish is offline  
Old 03-02-2010, 05:02 AM
  #3  
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
miata2fast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dover, FL
Posts: 3,143
Total Cats: 174
Default

One thing I learned is the metal tubing gets so hot, that it shortens the life of exhaust components. I thought it worked very well however.
miata2fast is offline  
Old 03-02-2010, 07:32 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
miataspeed2005's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Connect-I-Cut
Posts: 1,404
Total Cats: 0
Default

I've had it on my DP for over a year with no ploblems and I haven't melted a heater core hose since.
miataspeed2005 is offline  
Old 03-03-2010, 11:40 PM
  #5  
Elite Member
iTrader: (11)
 
chicksdigmiatas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Texas, 'Murica
Posts: 2,497
Total Cats: 0
Default

It lowers underhood temps, do it.
chicksdigmiatas is offline  
Old 03-03-2010, 11:49 PM
  #6  
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
turotufas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Gainesville,Fl
Posts: 3,304
Total Cats: 7
Default

Do it. I got mines.
turotufas is offline  
Old 03-04-2010, 11:02 AM
  #7  
Elite Member
 
dustinb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 2,320
Total Cats: 13
Default

I put it on a friends BEGI divorced gas downpipe. It's been over a year with much lower temps in the engine bay.
dustinb is offline  
Old 03-04-2010, 01:16 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
johnmatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Jax, Fl
Posts: 896
Total Cats: 0
Default

They're all lying. Don't do it send it to me for disposal
johnmatt is offline  
Old 03-04-2010, 01:50 PM
  #9  
Elite Member
 
dustinb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 2,320
Total Cats: 13
Default

Make sure you soak it in water before you wrap it, and get some nice metal straps to hold it in place.
dustinb is offline  
Old 03-04-2010, 02:18 PM
  #10  
Elite Member
iTrader: (18)
 
astroboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: oahu
Posts: 1,787
Total Cats: 6
Default

Do it, but don't go too far down on the dp if it is a dd because it will hold moisture and could eventually cause flaking...and it is a waste of wrap out of the engine bay. Soaking is a must before wrapping along with metal straps (or could use hose clamps). I got the black stuff and it has lost all color from changes in temp.
astroboy is offline  
Old 03-04-2010, 02:21 PM
  #11  
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Oscar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bolton, UK
Posts: 3,022
Total Cats: 120
Default

you guys wrapping stainless downpipes too?
Oscar is offline  
Old 03-04-2010, 06:05 PM
  #12  
Elite Member
iTrader: (28)
 
p51hellfire's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: St. Augustine FL
Posts: 2,299
Total Cats: 2
Default

^? why?
p51hellfire is offline  
Old 03-04-2010, 06:13 PM
  #13  
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
 
ZX-Tex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 4,847
Total Cats: 27
Default

Supposedly wrapping stainless pipes is a big no-no if you want them to last for very long.
ZX-Tex is offline  
Old 03-04-2010, 06:48 PM
  #14  
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Oscar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bolton, UK
Posts: 3,022
Total Cats: 120
Default

Correct, I'm still on the fence whether or not to wrap my stainless header. I've got about a 50 ft. roll of good header wrap that I'd like to use, but I'm not sure it's a great idea.
Oscar is offline  
Old 03-04-2010, 06:53 PM
  #15  
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
 
ZX-Tex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 4,847
Total Cats: 27
Default

I vaguely remember in some previous thread that Corky or someone with similar experience had seen this happen first-hand with SS and header wrap.
ZX-Tex is offline  
Old 03-04-2010, 07:55 PM
  #16  
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
miata2fast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dover, FL
Posts: 3,143
Total Cats: 174
Default

I think it does not matter what metal it is. Wrap holds so much heat, that components do not last as long compared to unwraped. I had cracks in my header that I had to have fixed because of the long term use of wrap. I have heard others with mild steal exhaust components complain about this problem as well

I still think the benefits of wrap are worthwile however.
miata2fast is offline  
Old 03-05-2010, 12:09 PM
  #17  
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Oscar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bolton, UK
Posts: 3,022
Total Cats: 120
Default

might aswell go for it then. If it lasts me 10k miles, that's 2 years of driving for me and stainless headers can be had for less than $150.
Oscar is offline  
Old 03-08-2010, 10:37 PM
  #18  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
alik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Boston / '90 Mariner Blue
Posts: 330
Total Cats: 14
Default

Thanks, guys.
I'll blanket that sucker.
alik is offline  
Old 03-08-2010, 10:42 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Hot_Wheels's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Roselle, Illinois
Posts: 849
Total Cats: -34
Default

ok this is maybe a little off topic, but what about ceramic coating it compared to the fiberglass wrap? i was thinking of jet hot once i heat cycle my manifold a litte. any thoughts? i would think there would be as much concern with cracking and it wont keep in moisture being its powder coated on
Hot_Wheels is offline  
Old 03-09-2010, 10:40 AM
  #20  
Junior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Alta_Racer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 228
Total Cats: 7
Default

I did ceramic coating, then header wrap, then silicone sealant spray. This is supposed to protect the stainless from corrosion and fatigue. It also does a really great job keeping the heat inside the pipe and out of the bay. I am quite happy with the results so far. I had a mild steel set of headers on my Camaro that were done the same and lasted better than 10 years. They saw tremendous heat from lots of bigblock on the bottle.
Alta_Racer is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
eddy1128
Miata parts for sale/trade
8
12-10-2015 05:34 PM
patsmx5
General Miata Chat
74
10-14-2015 11:18 PM
tazswing
Race Prep
20
10-03-2015 11:04 AM
zephyrusaurai
Meet and Greet
2
09-28-2015 10:59 PM
Miatabro
Meet and Greet
7
09-11-2015 12:13 PM



Quick Reply: Header wrap?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:35 PM.