Home page
SPONSOR AD

Topic: Header wrap / tape

in Forum: C3 Engines

Header wrap / tape

Posted: 5/31/16 5:50pm Message 1 of 5
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Hillsboro, OR - USA
Joined: 7/20/2015
Posts: 49
Vette(s): 1975 L48 4sp. Coupe... Rebuilt Motor
I am trying to reduce the amount of heat under the hood and was considering header wrap. All I have read is that it works well. I was hoping to find someone here who has used it and what they thought.

Thanks,
Pat



Daytona Yellow '75 350 Muncie 4 spd
'73 454 on the engine stand.


SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Re: Header wrap / tape

Posted: 5/31/16 7:30pm Message 2 of 5
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Header wrap will keep some of the heat down, but at a cost. It also keeps the heat in the headers. Some header manufacturers will not warranty them if they have been wrapped...it can cause the welds to fail, and pipes to crack prematurely. Wrapping the headers also create a condensation issue that can rust them out quickly, especially if the wrap gets wet.
While header wrap has been around for many years, and many folks have used it, myself included, modern day coatings(Jet Hot, etc.) can keep the heat down without creating any adverse effects....other than the corresponding lightening of the wallet.


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Header wrap / tape

Posted: 6/1/16 8:40am Message 3 of 5
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
Good header wrap is a little pricey. I'm finishing up wrapping a set of American Racing stainless long tube headers for the wife's '87 Olds 442. I use DEI products. http://www.designengineering.com/products.asp
Harbor Freight carries those stainless zip ties cheap btw. 

The trick is soaking the material in water and wrapping it tight and evenly (overlapping) as possible. Secure the ends of your wrap with the stainless ties. 

I did the downpipes from the headers to the mufflers on my corvette side pipes a couple years ago with the DEI Titanium w/LR (Lava Rock) Technology and it's holding up well. 




GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


Lifetime Member #26

Re: Header wrap / tape

Posted: 6/1/16 8:49am Message 4 of 5
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Brookline, NH - USA
Joined: 5/2/2014
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1976 corvette L82 red interior with white seats and door panels with ceramic headers and flow master exhaust and a Crane Cam

Ceramic Coated Exhaust Parts

This is a spray-on finish that’s infused with heat-insulating ceramics. It is not a DIY solution, these exhaust parts are coated at the factory, or sent to a facility with the proper equipment. 

Exhaust Wrap

This is a fiberglass or composite fabric that wraps around, and insulates, exhaust system components. It is a DIY solution that can be added to nearly any exhaust part, stock or aftermarket.




There's nothing better in life then a Vette Smile
 
 
 

Re: Header wrap / tape

Posted: 6/2/16 4:32pm Message 5 of 5
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
New Albany, OH - USA
Joined: 8/17/2010
Posts: 173
Vette(s): 1980 Coupe / Snowcrest White / L48, 350 / Comp Cam / Edelbrock Heads / Cyclone Intake / Holley Carb / Holley Fuel Pump / Patriot Headers / Dual Exhaust / Magnaflow Mufflers / 1964 Coupe / Riverside Red / L76, 327, 365hp
I have ceramic coated Patriot Tight-tuck headers which are not wrapped. 
However, I also have 2 1/2-inch aluminum dual exhaust (Corvette Central) that I do have wrapped.  I'm pretty sure they help keep down the heat and the wrap manufacturers claim that they help increase horsepower.
 
I am not worried about any rusting because aluminum corrodes but it does not rust. Rust refers only to iron and steel corrosion. Aluminum is actually very prone to corrosion. However, aluminum corrosion is aluminum oxide, a very hard material that actually protects the aluminum from further corrosion.



Chuck

in Forum: C3 Engines


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)