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Ceramic Headers vs Wrapped?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 1
From: Edinburgh
I've been running Dynomax Ceramic coated headers for over a year now, they still look really good and they reduced the heat levels dramatically.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Ask yourself this question, which do you think would give you better protection from a nasty burn grabbing a piece of red hot metal, some tin foil coated with a ceramic coating or a pot holder made from header wrap?
Here's another analogy, imagine two mirrors, one the kind normally found in a bathroom and one that's reflective surface is made from a ceramic header coating. Which one do you think would tan (or sunburn) you faster reflecting the suns ray's on to your skin? Do you think you could get a tan with a mirror made from header wrap?
Heat control is using a material that resists the flow of heat, no way is a coating a thousandths of an inch thick going to slow the flow of heat like a heat resistive cloth that's a about a hundred times thicker. My money is on the wrap in both scenarios for shielding conductive and infrared heat.
Here's another analogy, imagine two mirrors, one the kind normally found in a bathroom and one that's reflective surface is made from a ceramic header coating. Which one do you think would tan (or sunburn) you faster reflecting the suns ray's on to your skin? Do you think you could get a tan with a mirror made from header wrap?
Heat control is using a material that resists the flow of heat, no way is a coating a thousandths of an inch thick going to slow the flow of heat like a heat resistive cloth that's a about a hundred times thicker. My money is on the wrap in both scenarios for shielding conductive and infrared heat.
Last edited by shafrs3; Jan 11, 2007 at 04:27 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
I would not wrap any set of headers ever again. Someone posted a similar thread probably a year ago and I suggested wrapping the headers to cut down on underhood temperatures and such, which wrapping helps.
Wrapping the headers also retains much heat with will cause crystalization or something of the tubes and make them break down. I had a set of hooker regular non-coated headers on my truck for a couple of years and they started to get a little surface rust so I took them off and cleaned them up then wrapped them. They have lasted about 2 years to be exact. Funny they are leaking now, because when I ordered my Stan's Tri-y ceramic coated headers I told them what I did to my truck headers and they couldn't believe they had lasted that long. One week later the damn things started leaking in the tubes.
I don't know about wrapping the exhaust pipes, as they may be more durable, but I'll never wrap another set of headers again.
Wrapping the headers also retains much heat with will cause crystalization or something of the tubes and make them break down. I had a set of hooker regular non-coated headers on my truck for a couple of years and they started to get a little surface rust so I took them off and cleaned them up then wrapped them. They have lasted about 2 years to be exact. Funny they are leaking now, because when I ordered my Stan's Tri-y ceramic coated headers I told them what I did to my truck headers and they couldn't believe they had lasted that long. One week later the damn things started leaking in the tubes.
I don't know about wrapping the exhaust pipes, as they may be more durable, but I'll never wrap another set of headers again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
It sounds like the header wrap should be outlawed, or maybe a case action lawsuit filed. Seriously, I don't know what to think. My wrap can be a test on how long the system will last. Maybe I cheated without knowing, as everything was painted with VHT silver before the wrap went on. If everything gets as hot as some claim, I figuer the 1200* VHT paint will be burned off and offer no rust protection. Since everything from the headers back was relatively new, it will be interesting to see how long the pipes last. The headers were not in as good condition, but very good anyway. The car is not a DD and will probably not see any rain. If I detect any signs of premature rust I will post an update.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
You did a nice job on your wrap. Yes, I could imagine you did torture yourself if you did it all while installed on the car. :X It will definatley be interesting to know how long this setup lasts. I'm sure you'll have to replace the header gaskets to head and header to to exhaust pipes a couple of times before it's time to do something new.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,708
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
i had my headers on another V8 engine (the tvr, that has the headers INSIDE the hood upside down!!) wrapped , heat dropped dramatically underhood and i didnt find any extra rust, the only con can be that as the wrap retains a lot of the heat coming from the engine, at a certain point the header itself could melt if you hammer on engine for long an at top engine speeds...if done properly the header wrap looks the business anyway and will never un-wrap or move whatsoever...
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I wrap mine because of the greatly reduced under hood temperatures but am prepared to replace every so often.
If you wrap soak the wrap in water first, it makes it far more pliable, easy to work with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,708
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
ESU/Bruced -- I have Jetthot ceramic coated headers on a zz4 in my 73 vert. Originally I had plain headers and the heat was terrible. The ceramic coated headers are the best bag for the buck next to the TKO swap I did. Ceramic significantly dropped the heat temps not to mention they cool down very quick. As for longevity, I dont drive the car daily but, I think the ceramic route is better.
I think the biggest problem with headers (on this forum) is that people dont spend the money on good exhaust components. They cram all the money into the drive line and the exhaust is an afterthought. I paid about $500 bucks for my Jetthot headers; they have thick flanges, no exhaust leaks, no warping, they reduce heat, etc, etc, etc -- work great!
Will use ceramic from here on out...
Cheers,
Crunch
As for longevity, I dont drive the car daily but, I think the ceramic route is better. I think the biggest problem with headers (on this forum) is that people dont spend the money on good exhaust components. They cram all the money into the drive line and the exhaust is an afterthought. I paid about $500 bucks for my Jetthot headers; they have thick flanges, no exhaust leaks, no warping, they reduce heat, etc, etc, etc -- work great!
Will use ceramic from here on out...
Cheers,
Crunch
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
What are you trying to compensate for with wrap?
If your wires are melting, why not shield them instead or use high temp teflon wiring? If the starter is locking out, why not use a mini with shielding cage? If it's cockpit heat transfer, why not use under carper barrier? If your paint is melting, well you have a big problem.
Ceramic is a true insulator, and the exterior only application is fine for thermal transfer abatement, i.e. space shuttle.
IMHO.
If your wires are melting, why not shield them instead or use high temp teflon wiring? If the starter is locking out, why not use a mini with shielding cage? If it's cockpit heat transfer, why not use under carper barrier? If your paint is melting, well you have a big problem.
Ceramic is a true insulator, and the exterior only application is fine for thermal transfer abatement, i.e. space shuttle.
IMHO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
The reason for wrap is mainly for me cockpit heat.I have ceramic headers and they put out too much heat.I bought a set of super comp headers and im wrapping them.My floor where your fuel pedal is ,is too hot,after you drive for a while ,it gets really hot,uncomfortable,especially in the summer months.
