Header Wrap - Good Idea? Bad Idea?

[LX_TREME]

Is it bad to use the header wrap to wrap the headers?

Im just not so sure some says good and bad, the good thing maybe lower under hood temp, slightly better perf?

Bad thing, everytime when you shut the engine off some amount of moisture will be generated, there's no where for it to evaporate to quickly enough.Corrode?

Other suggestion?

 

[barCruiser]

Header wrap will cause your headers to rust faster (trapping moisture, as you noted earlier), and thus will lessen the life of your header. This is why installing header wraps will usually void your header warranty. If your having heat issues, I would look into a ceramic coating (i.e. jet hot) JETHOT The Hottest Header Coatings! Jet-Hot, jet coat, hot jet, headers, coatings, sterling,Header coating, Ceramic coating, corrosion protection, Metallic Ceramic Coatings, MCCI, metallic ceramic, exhaust coating, performance coating, temperature re

 

[turbocruiser]

Agreed, the ceramic coatings are the way to work this. They will reduce underhood heat, increase in pipe heat and prevent corrosion.

 

[concretejungle]

it wouldn't be as big of an issue for LX, but for the rest of us, mud drying and hardening on the wrap seems to be a concern for me. Just will add in the corrosion factor.

 

[jamisobe]

If they are stainless you are probably ok even though stainless is already good at holding in heat.

I have used Rustoleum Rust Reformer on exhaust rust allowing several days to cure. This has stopped any rust appearing on the exhaust/chrome headers. 5 years and it is as solid as can be. Doesn't look nearly as pretty as your set up though. The primer black Rustoleum Rust paint quickly turns light and over time develops an orange cast to it, but no rust. I recently used a new ceramic based aluminum colored paint (not shown), with good results, over the old rust reformer and it has held up for about 4 months still counting.

I won't use header wrap since it would prevent me from being able to stop any corrosion that starts.

 

[turbocruiser]

I've also heard that the bolts to the flange areas can get "fused" from all the added heat. And, I know that if you are not super careful and consistent with wrapping with exactly a 1/4 inch overlap of the fabric there can be hot spots hot enough to permanently damage the metallurgy of the tube. I'd say stay away from the stuff. HTH.

 

[Isotel]

Header Wrap will lower under hood temps and Help Promote Flow of the exhaust gasses..

Use this stuff to prevent moisture and gunk buildup on the wrap..
HIGH HEAT COATING FOR HEADER WRAP - EXHAUST HEAT WRAP - Charlotte County Choppers

 

[rosscotd105]

G'day,

I have 'exhaust wrap' on my turbo dump and down pipe. I haven't noticed any increase in corrosion with it fitted. I have used hose clamps to keep it in place so it is a 'relatively' easy job to check. I have also had manifolds, dump and down pipes double ceramic coated so not sure if this helps reduce the corrosion side of things. The car gets used (wrap gets wet regularly) so can't see it being a problem, especially considering the drive home well and truly dries out any 'moisture' around engine/manifolds/exhaust.

Cheers,

Ross.

 

[nuclearlemon]

Had it on my first cruiser...pipes rotted in half. since then, i only use it sparingly in parts where i really need to have it (like by the starter on a chevy).

 

[NKP Garage]

If you are going to use header wrap, it is always a good idea to put it on OUTSIDE of the vehicle and then put around 3-4 coats of spray on silicone spray on there after you've wrapped the headers. The spray is made specifically for header wrap and made to keep moisture out.

 

[Ebag333]

Header wrap can also absorb oil and other petroleum (AKA flammable) products. Imagine an oil soaked rag sitting on a several hundred degree temp pipe.......

I say avoid it. If you want to do something about it, ceramic coat. Ant over at Second Skin hinted at a new product in a few weeks/months that sounds ceramic like, dunno if it will work for this application or not however.

 

[bugsnbikes]

I recall from the vw community- talk that header wrap and even ceramic coatings caused higher inside header temps that end up backing up and increasing head temps even tho the exhaust air is speeded up. Most theorized that backpressure was the main culprit and that ceramic coatings should be done with some sort of decrease in the backpressure of the entire system to compensate for the added temp.

Given the head gasket issues the 80 is prone to- i dont think introducing even a few higher degrees of head temp would be wise.

Imho- the best underhood temp change i have found is 1/4" of spacers/washers under the hood mounts giving a slight space for heat to evacuate between the hood and seal.

 

[96blackLX450]

Does anyone know where to get a set of these headers described in the pics of jamisobe?

 

[NKP Garage]

Header wrap can also absorb oil and other petroleum (AKA flammable) products. Imagine an oil soaked rag sitting on a several hundred degree temp pipe.......

I say avoid it. If you want to do something about it, ceramic coat. Ant over at Second Skin hinted at a new product in a few weeks/months that sounds ceramic like, dunno if it will work for this application or not however.

Agreed.

 

[yoopercharged]

I used some of that header wrap on one of my Jettas a long time ago. The header was completely rotted out in about 4 months and I had to go buy another one. I will never use that stuff again.

 

[koxfarm]

Its quite an old thread but brings up valid corncerns.. I had a deeper look into these posts and it seems to me that this wrap thing is a weather dependant issue.
People from places with 4seasons, lots of rain, snow and wet has often negative experiences, when others from hot and dry countries, desert share diferent opinions.
Is there any other major negative apart from excessive rust?

 

[Blade 80LC]

No matter how dry your climate is, there is still some moisture in the air. I agree the moisture would be less of an issue if no water splashes onto the wrap, but as the headers cool, some moisture will condense out of the air.

Another issue that may not be real:
When I put headers on a Blazer, the shop owner told me that if I put wrap on the header the metal would crystallize from over heating. It didn't sound true, but the guy did own an exhaust shop.

 

[GW Nugget]

Is anyone against heat blankets like they use on turbo's etc. @NLXTACY ???

CXRACING THREE PIECES OF TITANIUM HEAT WRAP / HEATSHIELD
Straight, Length Is Approximate 9.5", Fits 2.5" OD Pipe.
$34 each

or

 

[concretejungle]

I thought I had updated this thread but it doesn't look like it.

I had to remove the heat wrap and replace my headers because the wrap caused them to rot away! I would not wrap your headers with heat wrap. Just FYI

 

[bwakeling]

I thought I had updated this thread but it doesn't look like it.

I had to remove the heat wrap and replace my headers because the wrap caused them to rot away! I would not wrap your headers with heat wrap. Just FYI

were your headers stainless? Did you use silicon wrap spray? I just built a new stainless exhuast and wrapped the sections that go over the frame under the passenger seat and over the rear axle. Debating if I pull them...