Is header wrapping worth it?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Is header wrapping worth it?
Trying to look at ways to reduce engine compartment temps. I have Jet Hot coated side pipe exhaust. I can't imagine what the heat would be like without the coating!
Would it be worth it to wrap my headers on my BB?
Would it be worth it to wrap my headers on my BB?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
you can do it but there is a lot of evidence out there to support the theory that wrapping them will shorten the life dramatically.
many ceramic coated header companies will void the warranty if wrapped
many ceramic coated header companies will void the warranty if wrapped
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the header tubes are made of a decent grade of steel...yes. If they aren't, wrapping the header tubes will just allow them to get very hot and 'melt' away. It shouldn't hurt a good brand name header. If they're cheap Chinese knock-offs, I wouldn't advise it.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
I have a set of Hooker super comps. Even with the JetHot coating they are pretty durn hot and it really heats everything else up. I already have a hard enough time keeping the motor cool as it is with a big radiator, HV water Pump, new seals and dual electric fans.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 30
From: warwick rhode island
i did wrap the headers on my small block 69. i don't know that it has reduced the engine compartment temperature. but it has kept me from burning my fingers while working under the hood. it has also kept me from heat soaking the starter which is why i put it on.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Big Spring TX
Wrapping the headers is "supposed" to dramatically shorten their life span, by not only trapping in the heat and fatiguing the metal faster, but by also trapping in moisture and causing deterioration of the metal.
I've never done it so I don't know first hand.
I've never done it so I don't know first hand.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Chester VA
I wrapped my coated hedmans, they rusted quicker than I'd expect they should have. Also when I removed the wrap the texture of the fabric had etched itself in the coating. I tried to get them recoated and the shop refused to do it. They took one look at them and said they don't coat headers that have been wrapped in the past because it effects the finish quality and durability and they won't coat what they can't warranty. Just food for thought.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
mine are ceramic coated and 2 pipes go very close to my power steering box so i have wrapped them in header wrap. has been on for 2 years and when i took it off the ceramic coating has lost its shine but its nothing major. i would rather save my steering box from the heat then worry about slight tarnish on my headers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
If you have parts too close from the headers / exhaust pipes, I think it's better to insulate these parts with aluminized insulation clothes ( power steering box, hood, for instance ), flame guards ( for hoses ) instead of wrapping the pipes / headers...
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
I had wrapped headers on my Camaro for 6 years, never had an issue with it. It reduced temps very well and prevented burns on my hands.
that said all header mfrs pretty much will void your warantee if they are wrapped, what good a hdr mfr's warrantee is I am not sure as I'm willing to bet the warrantee only goes for 90 days or so on most mfr's.
A quality set of headers shouldnt be seriously affected IMO.
that said all header mfrs pretty much will void your warantee if they are wrapped, what good a hdr mfr's warrantee is I am not sure as I'm willing to bet the warrantee only goes for 90 days or so on most mfr's.
A quality set of headers shouldnt be seriously affected IMO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 137
From: Nashville TN area
I wrapped hooker super comps against others advice. 2 yrs later a hole blew out one of the primaries because they had rusted out. I had even sprayed the wrap with waterproofing silver spray. My next set of supercomps were ceramic coated inside and out and underhood temps were cooler than with just wrap. They still look great after many years now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
There is a big difference in header coating also. On all our race cars we have used Swain Tech White Ceramic coatings. Jet Hot looks pretty and does work some, but a good heavy ceramic coating is way better but it does not look nearly as nice and grows some crystals bumps. The biggest problem with header wrap is rust from the trapped moisture. Header wrap does work but for sure will shorten the header life some.
Last edited by RobRace10; Sep 18, 2009 at 09:48 AM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Chester VA
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
Last edited by gingerbreadman1977; Sep 18, 2009 at 08:54 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
when i say close i mean CLOSE so header wrap was best option for me. there was no room for shields or guards. you can see a tiny bit of it on the middle 2 pipes, the rest is underneath.the joys of a right hand drive conversion being so tight on this side but on the other side of the engine i could fit a small house.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,431
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From: mount holly NC
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Just Curious!
when i say close i mean CLOSE so header wrap was best option for me. there was no room for shields or guards. you can see a tiny bit of it on the middle 2 pipes, the rest is underneath.the joys of a right hand drive conversion being so tight on this side but on the other side of the engine i could fit a small house.
Did GM make RHD? Or how did you convert them over? PG.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
Nothing to do with the original post!
Did GM make RHD? Or how did you convert them over? PG.
if you really want to know thats going to be another post and a long one.there is many aussies on here who share my pain. here is bit of a read out of corvette fever for you pete...
http://www.corvettefever.com/feature...tes/index.html
Did GM make RHD? Or how did you convert them over? PG.
if you really want to know thats going to be another post and a long one.there is many aussies on here who share my pain. here is bit of a read out of corvette fever for you pete...
http://www.corvettefever.com/feature...tes/index.html
Last edited by gingerbreadman1977; Sep 19, 2009 at 02:50 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Cumana
Had a set of Hedman headers in my sbc 76.
Ceramic coated them myself with Benzona and then wrapped.
Had them for a good 15 years on the daily driver.
Had them changed when engine was changed for a BBC and a set of jetHot sidepipes were brought in as replacement.
Ceramic coated them myself with Benzona and then wrapped.
Had them for a good 15 years on the daily driver.
Had them changed when engine was changed for a BBC and a set of jetHot sidepipes were brought in as replacement.