Header Wrap, More Power??? How???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
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From: Same as our leaders Out of my mind
Header Wrap, More Power??? How???
What is the theory behind insulating header wrap? What are it's benefits and/or drawbacks? How does it make more power? Does it help with engine compartment and cockpit heat?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
I have my headers wrapped. My water temp guage went from 205 to 170 during regular driving. The downside to wrapping headers is it weakens the metal making it brittle and can cause rust. My headers are whatever el cheapo brand the previous owner put on so I wrapped them to reduce temps until I put on stock manifolds or can get a set of high quality headers with A.I.R. tubes and ceramic coating. In addition to the header wrap I took some sheet metal and made heat shield for my dual exhaust that runs the length of the floor pans. Both those combined changed the footwell temps significantly. I went from thinking my shoes were going to burst into flames to just warm. As for making more power, I didn't notice anything of the sorts unless my engine makes more power at a lower operating temp.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
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From: Same as our leaders Out of my mind
I sure can relate to your comment about your feet bursting into flames. I was getting raw ankles and shins from the heat. A new heater control valve made a major difference, but it is still excessively hot in the cockpit. I am cosidering pulling the seats and carpet and installing some reflectix or duramat type insulating products to help with the heat and the noise. I love the flow masters but it is hard to hear the tunes.
I have wrapped my old headers for much the same reasons as you; they were the old unknown brand headers that came with the car. They work good for now, no holes or cracks. If they get brittle and break, Oh Well! I'll just HAVE to spend the $$$ on a nice set of ceramic coated pipes.
I have wrapped my old headers for much the same reasons as you; they were the old unknown brand headers that came with the car. They work good for now, no holes or cracks. If they get brittle and break, Oh Well! I'll just HAVE to spend the $$$ on a nice set of ceramic coated pipes.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rye TX
Originally Posted by cgraham
In theory, the header wrap is to keep exhaust temperatures high, thus increasing the scavenging effect of the combustion chamber. Therefore, it is said that this helps to increase horsepower. Not sure how much.
Hot air moves faster than cool air, so if you keep the exhaust gasses the same temp to the end of the collector/pipe you get the scavenging effect. I only noticed the increase on the dyno. In racing, every 1/4 horsepower is important, but on a streetcar, the only advantage really is keeping the inside of the car cool, and getting the hot gasses out of the motor as fast as possible. AL
Our vette photos:
http://cherryfamilyracing.com/_wsn/page5.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Originally Posted by icanfixitforyou
I sure can relate to your comment about your feet bursting into flames. I was getting raw ankles and shins from the heat. A new heater control valve made a major difference, but it is still excessively hot in the cockpit.....
