Headers and plug wire heat shields
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 177
From: Newark Delaware
Headers and plug wire heat shields
Those of you running headers, did you use the factory metal heat shields on your plug wires, or the fiberglass socks, or a combination of the two?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Metal factory pieces, no problem after 4 years...
TSP headers. If you run headers that are closer to the wires, maybe another solution will be needed.
TSP headers. If you run headers that are closer to the wires, maybe another solution will be needed.
Last edited by grantv; Aug 1, 2018 at 09:04 AM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 134
From: Hanover Maryland
I reused the metal pieces. I inspected the wires pretty thoroughly after install. No touching = you're good. Definitely inspect and re-torque the header bolts after a couple of heat cycles though. Couple of my boots to the ignition coils were slipping off after a bout of hard driving.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,430
Likes: 4,829
From: BEST Corn-Nation
2015 C5 of the Year Winner
^^^That's what I would think also.^^^ I use the socks and have had zero issues with them. I did burn through a plug boot before I got them, that's why I put them on. May have had the wrong boot angles as to why they touched to begin with. New wires, new boots with socks, good to go.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
The metal shields were designed and used for a reason. Not saying it can't be improved by newer technology, but they work fine for the me (with headers).
I'd think they dissipate heat, the thin metal acting like a mini heatsink (think electronics).
Would "socks" work better? Can't say for sure. I know my socks keep my feet warm.
I'd think they dissipate heat, the thin metal acting like a mini heatsink (think electronics).
Would "socks" work better? Can't say for sure. I know my socks keep my feet warm.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,587
Likes: 4,617
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Had my headers ceramic coated, socks for the spark plug wires and velcro heat protection for the starter wires and the brake lines along with some reflective heat tape for electrical connectors. Summit Racing sells their own heat protection for the wires and lines which offers the best protection and at a great price.
Last edited by Mike98SilVert; Aug 2, 2018 at 04:40 PM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
The metal shields were designed and used for a reason. Not saying it can't be improved by newer technology, but they work fine for the me (with headers).
I'd think they dissipate heat, the thin metal acting like a mini heatsink (think electronics).
Would "socks" work better? Can't say for sure. I know my socks keep my feet warm.
I'd think they dissipate heat, the thin metal acting like a mini heatsink (think electronics).
Would "socks" work better? Can't say for sure. I know my socks keep my feet warm.
exhaust manifolds and headers are way too different animals ???? (as the metal boots were designed for manifolds not headers)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Of course they were designed for stock manifolds. But the idea is the same (hot exhaust in close proximity), and the metal boots still serve the same purpose. Loads of people use them with no issues (4 years in my case, daily driven Z in up to 100F weather).
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 226
Likes: 39
From: Fall Branch, TN
Mine has the metal heat shields with headers and no problems.
They are definitely there for a reason. I'm a truck mechanic and a chevy 7500 with an 8.1 came in a while back missing bad (same coil/wire setup as the corvette). Somebody had replaced the wires and left the metal shields off. Several wires were completely melted.
They are definitely there for a reason. I'm a truck mechanic and a chevy 7500 with an 8.1 came in a while back missing bad (same coil/wire setup as the corvette). Somebody had replaced the wires and left the metal shields off. Several wires were completely melted.