Overheated Starter due to headers
 

Has anyone had a problem with the starter overheating due to the headers? When I first start the car and drive it its fine. After driving it and they shut it off sometimes I have to wait awhile for it to cool off before it will start. Is it a good idea to wrap the headers? I already wrapped the starter but it does'nt seem to help. Any advise would be helpful.

What kind of headers?

I'm about to install my Pfadt headers with no coating or anything. When I was down there removing the stockers and saw all the heat shielding they have on the stock units... I am pretty worried about the heat.

I had raw headers on the car for a while. No issue.

I coated my stainless steel B&B headers with a JetHot like ceramic coating, which keeps the heat down both in the engine bay and near the starter. Might be worth looking at in your situation as well.

Have Kooks 1 7/8 headers with no coating. No issues here.

I have Kook 2inch headers on mine, I didnt have any issues for 2 years but then then the starter overheated and the wires melted out of it. The early c6's had a plastic housing and appartently according to the dealer sometimes melted over time, I just replaced it with a new OEM unit with a metal housing and wrapped a heat shield around it just to be safe. If you have an early model, get it fixed now or end up getting stuck like I did, lol. FYI the charging system is tied into the starter, if the wire goes out you can push start it but it wont charge the battery, thus resulting in being stuck.

will header wrap around the starter cables work to shield this? I have some sitting around (not to wrap my headers, it's just sitting around). I was thinking about wrapping my engine mounts and a couple other items (like o2) with header wrap. Thoughts on that?

Heat shielding
 

1st starter failed at 30K (heat damage) with jet coated headers. Replaced with new GM starter and wrapped electrical cables and solenoid with protectant product. 50k and no issues. Time will tell.

Ditto...

I never had an issue with ARH 1 7/8 but during my build I wrapped my starter just for extra heat protection.

Not pretty but should do the job...

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5647e5a2.jpg

some have - you can bend a piece of steel and make yourself a shield. you can also wrap some heat shield (dynamat or such) around the solenoid. you can also wsrap the headers but that looks like A..

I've read that wrapping headers is a really bad idea. Besides the fire risk if the material gets fluid on it, it doesn't let the headers dissipate heat, and eventually will destroy the headers. And moisture buildup underneath is bad.

Well I have the stuff just sitting around it can't hurt to wrap the starter, starter cables, and engine mounts and see how it goes.

yes had an issue and my starter failed at about 28k miles.

Love headers but I have a few reasons that make me not want to install them for a 'street' car, this is one of them and had this issue in my Mustang days.

100% correct. all that moisture will damage the metal. plus it looks bad. I wrapped my starter just in case. I also wrapped the line to the clutch slave cylinder & don't forget the 02 sensors.

I would never wrap the headers. Worst choice. I think the problem is a bit overblown. Ran my car hard for 2 years and never had a problem at all. None the liess, wrapping the starter, O2 wires, and whatever else you feel is too near is a good precaution to take.

My PFADT headers melted some wiring on the driver side. Got it replaced when I did my head and cam work. The shop tucked it away and they said everything should be good now.

Will keep the starter in mind. Is it accessible from under the car?

The starter is accessable on pass side when the headers are off.

what wires melted on Driver side? I need to knwo so I can sheild them

I've heard that wrapping the starter is a bad idea, as it traps in heat as well.

Heard that a fabricated heat shield is a better choice.

you need a starter that will withstand the heat....my buddy had this happen 3 times with his 07Z and he replaced the stock starter with an aftermarket one..I do not know the name but if you want to PM me I can give you his number