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Hey all,
I'm looking to get some Speed Engineering headers for my ls1, I'm a bit concerned about the possible increased engine heat due to a few reasons. 1. I daily it, meaning I have to hot start it usually every other day, 2. I don't have a tuner near me, so I'd be installing them with no tune until I could figure something out for that. And 3. I live in Florida, where its hot all the time.
I would at least titanium wrap them or get them coated before installing. Maybe both eventually.
Are any of these concerns valid? Is there anything else to be wary about?
I have had motorcycle headers Jet Hot coated in the past. At that time they automatically coated both inner and outer surfaces. Went with the polished silver appearance and was very satisfied. These were on a fully faired touring bike, and exhaust system heat in central Florida is a big deal. The coating made a huge difference.
I also have a set of used long tubes in my shed, ready to go in when I get around to it, and would seriously consider having them coated, but don’t think used tubes are eligible.
I think wrap looks absolutely awesome, and it’s noted to reduce both radiant heat and exhaust noise — but also reported to induce corrosion and embrittlement. Sadly, while there are myriad resources on the pros and cons of wrapping, I have been unable to find any that were legitimately scientific and impartial.
I'd coat them. I am not a fan of wrapping headers, sand and debris gets caught in the wrap. I am in Georgia and the heat hasn't been a problem. It would be a good idea to replace the trans tunnel plate with a piece with some heat shielding.
I have had motorcycle headers Jet Hot coated in the past. At that time they automatically coated both inner and outer surfaces. Went with the polished silver appearance and was very satisfied. These were on a fully faired touring bike, and exhaust system heat in central Florida is a big deal. The coating made a huge difference.
I also have a set of used long tubes in my shed, ready to go in when I get around to it, and would seriously consider having them coated, but don’t think used tubes are eligible.
I think wrap looks absolutely awesome, and it’s noted to reduce both radiant heat and exhaust noise — but also reported to induce corrosion and embrittlement. Sadly, while there are myriad resources on the pros and cons of wrapping, I have been unable to find any that were legitimately scientific and impartial.
There is an episode of Engine Masters from last year where they did a lot of tests with header wraps and coatings.
I have a blown C5 with headers. I installed a ceramic coated tunnel plate. The cabin can get very cold
I live in Florida. I also use dyna mat.
Good luck
The extra heat is a legitimate concern. Header coatings are an option. Wrapping the headers is an option, though it may tend to promote accelerated corrosion. Some components could be individually wrapped, such as your clutch line, plug wires and certain bits of harness. Some sort of heat shield for your starter motor would also be useful.
Another option that is seldom considered are the T1 hood louver(s) as used on the Spec Corvette race cars. These have the added benefit of relieving the high pressure that builds under the hood, at higher speeds. Some aftermarket hoods also have built-in venting.
Besides the cost of the headers be aware of the other things that should be installed.
X pipe $200
I'd use the steel MLS gaskets. $30
Bolts. Cheap is $5 Nice ones $50
O2 extension $30 Only need one btw
Plug wires and fire sleeves $90 for both
You should definitely insulate the tunnel. I used DEI kit $140
Shipping $
Do you have a set of good and tallish Jack Stands to get the car up in the air high enough? Better yet a Quickjack, or the ultimateway, a regular lift. Headers go in from the bottom, plan accordingly.
Cost of whatever wrap or coating you decide on.
You should add all that up before you pull the trigger on the SE Headers. I have them on my 98 coupe and they fit and sound great. Start saving for your future head/cam swap...
Edit: Link from someone who recently did a wrap job: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607351123
Last edited by Prop Joe; Jan 28, 2024 at 01:29 PM.
Reason: Link
Thanks for the input everyone. I did find a tuner nearby thats willing to help me out too. I could also have him set the fans to come on sooner, or stay on for a bit after the car is shut off. I know coating them is basically the end all solution to heat, that would delay my install by 6mo before I can justify spending that kind of money though. I don't even care if I have to redo the wrap every 6mo, maybe by then I'll be able to send them to get coated. So, at least in the meantime, maybe I can just paint them in vht or cerakote, then wrap over that, combined with tuned fans, maybe that'll be enough? The post that Prop Joe posted, the gut used heatshield armor exhaust insulation, which also looks promising from one video I saw, but thats just about the only testing I can find done with the stuff.
Forgive my ignorance here guys, but is the concern about hot headers being closer to things the stock manifolds weren't close to in the first place or is it a general concern about increased heat just by swapping the stock hardware for LT headers? If it's the latter, can someone explain why there would be a dramatic increase in heat produced just by swapping out the parts? I can't logically come up with a reason there would be a dramatic increase, but I've got to be missing something here lol. My C5 came to me with shorty headers already installed (yeah I know, again not my choice lol), so I really have no comparison to what how much cooler stock manifolds may or may not run.
Forgive my ignorance here guys, but is the concern about hot headers being closer to things the stock manifolds weren't close to in the first place or is it a general concern about increased heat just by swapping the stock hardware for LT headers? If it's the latter, can someone explain why there would be a dramatic increase in heat produced just by swapping out the parts? I can't logically come up with a reason there would be a dramatic increase, but I've got to be missing something here lol. My C5 came to me with shorty headers already installed (yeah I know, again not my choice lol), so I really have no comparison to what how much cooler stock manifolds may or may not run.
My concern was just general engine bay heat by swapping from stock manifolds to LT headers. There is more heat produced due to a few things. Ones that I can think of now would be thinner walled pipe, and more surface area. But dont quote me on that, Im obviously not an expert.
Slightly tedious but turned out well. I used stainless safety wire to secure it to the headers.
I found the exact same product last night, it looks promising. It also seems like it would have less rust issues than wrap because its open no one side. Have you been able to install them yet? I'm very curious to see how well it does!
My concern was just general engine bay heat by swapping from stock manifolds to LT headers. There is more heat produced due to a few things. Ones that I can think of now would be thinner walled pipe, and more surface area. But dont quote me on that, Im obviously not an expert.
I'm sorry, I wasn't intending to derail your thread or anything like that. I do see the concern/idea brought up a lot, I just can't pinpoint the logic or science behind it and I was curious. I'm going to just go Google it haha
I'm sorry, I wasn't intending to derail your thread or anything like that. I do see the concern/idea brought up a lot, I just can't pinpoint the logic or science behind it and I was curious. I'm going to just go Google it haha
Oh, no worries lol. It did not come across that way to me at all.
Last edited by Preston.Corvette; Jan 29, 2024 at 11:26 PM.
LTheaders and engine heat
