Engine Bay Heat/Headers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Lynchburg Virginia
Engine Bay Heat/Headers
So I am sitting here looking at my checkout Cart. About to buy some LG street long tube headers with High Flo cats.. to add on to my already GHL Bullets and Vararam..
I called the Manf. (Forum Vendor) and he said their stainless steal, and he did not recommend wrapping them or coating them.. cause they may warp.. He said most his buyers leave them as is.. and get Plug wire socks..
Does anyone have any recommendations or input on the amount of heat i am going to combat.. Do i need to perhaps replace my plastic fans with some Alum ones?
I will be getting another ECS tune after this mod.. I am just wrecking my brain before i click buy now
I called the Manf. (Forum Vendor) and he said their stainless steal, and he did not recommend wrapping them or coating them.. cause they may warp.. He said most his buyers leave them as is.. and get Plug wire socks..
Does anyone have any recommendations or input on the amount of heat i am going to combat.. Do i need to perhaps replace my plastic fans with some Alum ones?
I will be getting another ECS tune after this mod.. I am just wrecking my brain before i click buy now
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,753
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
I'm sure you'll get varying opinions, with most being to coat.
But I have the normal boltons (vararam,headers, catback,tune) and I did not coat my xspower headers and used the wire socks - going on 2 years, couple HPDE events, drags, and 2-3 hr roadtrips and no issues....
But I have the normal boltons (vararam,headers, catback,tune) and I did not coat my xspower headers and used the wire socks - going on 2 years, couple HPDE events, drags, and 2-3 hr roadtrips and no issues....
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 12
I have had H/C upgrades and headers (American Racing) with cats for 4 years and have no appreciable problems with heat under the hood. I even run 3:73 which tends to keep the revs up a bit and have not had any heat related issues.
I just did the radiator/condensor clean out which remove lots of dirt and keeps the overall engine temp down.
As far as cabin heat, the car always was hot even with stock exhaust setup. Years ago I installed foam backed foil under the interior carpeting in the entire car. That made a noticeable difference in cabin heat i.e. like there is zero exhaust/engine heat in the cabin now. Feel around the shifter/center console for the heat you get now. That mod took about a weekend to complete but reduce noise and heat significantly.
I would not worry about any additional heat differnt from the stock setup.
I just did the radiator/condensor clean out which remove lots of dirt and keeps the overall engine temp down.
As far as cabin heat, the car always was hot even with stock exhaust setup. Years ago I installed foam backed foil under the interior carpeting in the entire car. That made a noticeable difference in cabin heat i.e. like there is zero exhaust/engine heat in the cabin now. Feel around the shifter/center console for the heat you get now. That mod took about a weekend to complete but reduce noise and heat significantly.
I would not worry about any additional heat differnt from the stock setup.
Last edited by Joevette99; Jul 12, 2012 at 09:08 AM. Reason: spellign error
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 3
From: US
You don't have anything at all to worry about. Although it's not required, I would however recommend you have them Ceramic Coated. It's not that pricey and it'll keep the heat down and keep your longtubes looking brand new over time.
Other options you have if you are worried:
1. Buy heat socks for you plugs wires
2. Buy heat shielding for your O2 Sensor wires.
I've been running 1 7/8" Kooks Longtubes for about a year now. They are Jet Hot Coated. I don't have any spark plug wire socks (none of them touch the longtubes so it is not a worry). I did wrap all the O2 sensor wires in heat resistant/reflective shielding since they come in close contact (some are touching) with the longtubes. I have about 6-7k miles on them and not one issue. I just changed my oil this last weekend and everything is still looking perfect.
Other options you have if you are worried:
1. Buy heat socks for you plugs wires
2. Buy heat shielding for your O2 Sensor wires.
I've been running 1 7/8" Kooks Longtubes for about a year now. They are Jet Hot Coated. I don't have any spark plug wire socks (none of them touch the longtubes so it is not a worry). I did wrap all the O2 sensor wires in heat resistant/reflective shielding since they come in close contact (some are touching) with the longtubes. I have about 6-7k miles on them and not one issue. I just changed my oil this last weekend and everything is still looking perfect.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 422
Likes: 3
From: Palatine IL
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 377
Likes: 3
From: Cudahy WI
I have Kooks 1 7/8" longtubes on my car and notice no additional heat. No boots, no wrap, no coatings. I also have my catalytic converters removed, I believe thats where a lot of the heat comes from. My car is much cooler inside with the longtubes/no cats than it was with stock manifolds and H pipe.
I ziptied the clutch line and any relevant wires out of the way at least 1" away from the headers and all is good.
I ziptied the clutch line and any relevant wires out of the way at least 1" away from the headers and all is good.
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