As this project gets to the finish line, I wanted to at least cover the wraps (to wrap or to not wrap, that is the question). It all depends on who you ask if wrapping headers is worth it or not. Can they be wrapped as the metal used is much thicker than most headers out there now?
Howdy!
@JKIII FJ40
Our official answer is no.
Sorry.
Please! Do not use header wrap.
The product warranty will be voided if exhaust / header wrap of any kind is used.
Jim Sickles (
@Downey) and others have also advised strongly against the use of header wrap in years past.
In my opinion, the use case for header wrap in 2024 is very limited and only for temporary race applications. I wouldn't put wrap on any Land Cruiser and certainly not on a work of art like our new header.
HOWEVER!
If you really want to manage exhaust system heat and you don't want to scorch your toes, you have very good options:
1. a true ceramic thermal barrier coating (
see our vendor recommendation below.)
2. custom fabricate a stainless steel heat shield and suspend it from the body between the exhaust and floorpan / firewall.
(a heat shield alone has been discussed elsewhere on MUD and will significantly reduce the internal temperatures in the drivers footwell & passenger compartment.)
For a significant reduction in under hood temperatures, call SWAIN Tech Coatings for a professionally engineered technical coating:
Phone: 585.889.2786
SWAIN coatings perform significantly better than the many cosmetic "ceramic" coatings on the market today.
SWAIN coatings have been tested and used by NASCAR, INDY, NASA, and countless professional automotive & aerospace engineers worldwide.
Depending on their workload, typical product turn around times are a few weeks. It's not cheap but the prices are comparable to the more cosmetic vendors. I think it's worth the money.
I highly recommend SWAIN for all internal combustion engine coatings.
Their combustion chamber and piston coatings are superb for forced induction and top fuel applications.
I have one race car that has their various coatings on the exhaust, pistons, valves, and combustion chambers for well over 20 years.
Hope that helps!
