Header wrap/glowing headers
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
Header wrap/glowing headers
I have header wrap on one of my headers but not on the other. (The 50 foot roll is only good for one I guess) I have never noticed this before but after I got done driving it I could see the header glowing down by the collector. Is this just because the wrap is keeping all of the heat in?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
That's pretty much it. The wrap is doing it's job keepeing the heat in the tube, but where the insulation ends the extra heat wants out. You're not eliminating heat with wrap, just moving it further downstream. Experiences like your's are why I never installed mine...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
If the hot spot is in a place where it may cause damage to something else or create a "hot-foot" situation on exteneded drives I'd probably remove it, but I'm not sure the header itself would be apt to meet a premature end because of it. ??
SIXFOOTER may have a good idea, if you want to buy that much material.
SIXFOOTER may have a good idea, if you want to buy that much material.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
Ya, I would like to keep it on I think I may just wrap the other one too. I'm not sure about going all the way back that would get spendy plus my current exhaust is all hacked up. If the header fails I guess that is a sign saying I need hooker sidepipes. I just wanted to make sure that is was normal for it to glow in there.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
If you wrap your headers, it will void the warranty from header manufacturer because of pipe corrosion. Some while ago I used it to wrap my new aluminized exhaust pipes from the manifolds back to the transmission crossmember to try to cool down the interior. After wrapping I painted them with the manufacture's recommended siliconized high heat paint. About 2 years (approx 20,000 miles) later, the wrapped pipes blew out. There wasn't much left under that wrap except rust. I would not consider wrapping anythilg less than a a high nickel (300 series) stainless steel pipe.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
I have header wrap on one of my headers but not on the other. (The 50 foot roll is only good for one I guess) I have never noticed this before but after I got done driving it I could see the header glowing down by the collector. Is this just because the wrap is keeping all of the heat in?
Coated headers are a fantastic way to get a ton of bang for your buck.
Cheers,
Crunch
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
I'll have to think about jethot in the future. I don't drive in the rain so the only condensation is from the heating and cooling of the headers. Plus I'm not really worried about them they are just summit brand ones. If and when they blow out I will get some hookers and have tyhem jet hot coated most likely. Since I always hear people talking about how good it is.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
I'm with hosspower - sounds like you're either running lean or timing is off. Your headers/exhaust shouldn't glow red with or without header tape. By the way, Summit has ceramic coated headers for just over $200...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I was experiencing too much interior heat and after vapor lock in traffic ruined my afternoon, I decided to do something. My headers are of the ceramic coated variety, but didn't help as much as I could tell. I wrapped my entire exhaust, headers back with Thermo Tech 2" X 50' rolls; it took five of them. My interior heat is way down and no more vapor lock. Would I do it again, you betcha. At this time, about six months later I don't see any signs of rust, but if it does, so what. My interior is much more comfortable and the composite rear spring is insulated from exhaust heat. I did have to make a skid plate to protect the material on the bottom of the pipes from shredding.
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Since these photos I have painted them with high heat silicone as suggested by the manufacturer. I was going to be driving in rain, so I thought it was a prudent addition.
[IMG]
[/IMG]Since these photos I have painted them with high heat silicone as suggested by the manufacturer. I was going to be driving in rain, so I thought it was a prudent addition.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I would say it is too rich if it is glowing.