header heat question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 2
From: Huntingburg Indiana
header heat question
I was thinking of buying the hedman elites for my 71 small block. Will the coating on the headers lower the underhood temp compared to the manifolds? Would I be better off wrapping a set of regular headers? My brother wrapped a set on his truck and it seemed to help. I realize that the wrap can shorten the life of the headers. I am trying to eliminate some underhood heat. After a 20 minute drive, the air cleaner is too hot to touch. Thanks for any help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
My ceramic coated headers were pumping out so much heat it caused vapor lock issues in heavy traffic. That got stale real fast so I wrapped the headers and exhaust back to the mufflers with Thermo-Tech wrap and both the engine bay and interior temps are way better. No vapor lock since and the interior is more comfortable. It is much easier to wrap the pipes before you install them. If you go this route and need s/s tie wraps, HarborFreight has packs of 25 for $4.98. Spray your pipes with aluminum paint before wrapping them, the headers with high heat paint. Paint over the wrap with high heat silicone for water protection. It has been nearly a year since doing mine and they look as new. I did need to make a skid plate for under the spring where the pipes are low. You will shred the wrap if you go over speed bumps or off the road shoulder.
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG]
