Finally!,!!
in the never ending heat solutions for some on the c3..
a real thermocouple comparison (not ir gun due to emmisivity differences) which includes
painted, ceramic, and heat wrap
I always thought strange all the advertisements never did side by side comparisons with a thermocouple…
I always thought bs on all the adds with ceramic and reality vs perceptions..
ceramic gets you barely 10f degrees difference on outside
the wrap 59f
and mainly at higher rpm.
also internal egt corresponding inversely to outside temp.
great episode..
also bs on increasing hp with hotter exhaust gas temps.
no wonder oem uses heat shields.

 

Yep....Cheep and Efficient just happened to co-iin-side on that GM decision

Finger-Tip Test:
On the other hand...I wrapped the black stuff around one of my headers and at operating temp.
I COULD HOLD THE HEADER for 30 seconds before letting go

 

OE use heat shields cuz the longer the exhaust stays hot the more complete it burns off the HC's. especially before the converters. they only care about emissions. but at least they figured out more efficient is less wasted unburned HC and CO and learned how to make powerful engines that run pretty clean.

 

When the wraps get wet the pipes rust fast.

 

I really like that show, and of course Road kill...lol
When I first started watching I looked at those guys and thought typical TV show with some BOZO know nothing actors reading a script...but after watching a short while I realized I was the BOZO, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience between the three of them on engine masters....I learn something every episode.

60

 

My main concern about header wrap would not be under-hood temps or power gains but rather what that wrap does to metal when cooling.

My garage stays cool and dry. Yesterday after opening the garage doors, I could see dew / high humidity build up on the Vettes body within minutes. Opening the hood witnessed the entire top-end then starting to become soaking wet especially the valve covers. Nothing that a fan couldn't fix, happens every Sept.
But still?

Header Wrap contains moisture. The moisture effects will be hidden until a future date when the wrap is removed. YIKES! Rust-rust-rust.
Rumor has it that, header manufactures will void any warranty claims if wrap was installed. (if they can prove it)

Since the introduction of Ceramic Coating years ago, it has been a Godsend for durability of headers. The old-style high temp spray paints i.e., black headers, white headers, they all needed constant touch-up from a rattle-can and they still showed deteriorating effects.

Ceramic coating is just that, a coating to preserve the finish for decades to come. I never think of ceramic as a "cooling barrier" to exit heat from the engine bay but rather a cosmetic appearance. And that is why ceramic headers are about double the costs, durability.

In closing, wrap is just butt ugly too. The only place I would consider wrap would be the short section under the seats.

 

I think the reality is, no coating will make that much of a difference and an air gap aka heat shield/ wrap, are the best defense including contaning radiant heat.
i think even modern exhaust does not try to keep heat in the pipe, just mitigate wherever needed.

of course high heat coatings protect, decorate etc..and some performance but the heat claims were always nebulous in all the sites.
again hats off to EM.
would love to know what cast iron does

 

Freiburger and Dulcich....love em'!

 

My street rod was a daily driver...five years later I removed the wrap to install better wrap....there wasn't a rust spot on the exhaust pipes or headers. Daily driver and wrap work well in evaporating the rain water.

 

I know it's kind of an added expense, but what if you wrapped ceramic coated headers?
In theory, wouldn't that stop, or slow down the rusting process? I had my headers coated from Jet-Glo.
I haven't run my engine yet (hopefully soon), so I don't know how hot they will get.
I saw that episode and was surprised by the results.
I too learn something new every episode, I love that show.

 

Hmm hate to ask a dumb question but which show are you referring to? Look through the post and I can’t seem to find it. Thanks Ike

 

Engine Masters. It’s on the Motortrend channel

 

Excellent thanks! Greatly appreciated Ike