VMI-2002

I had Borla Long tube headers installed on my 2006 Z51 two days ago. It sounds lovely. My Mechanic is suggesting I get an insulation wrap for the headers as the heat could damage the wiring around the headers.
Is this really necessary? It is my daily driver with 142k miles on it. Is so which product should I use and should I have it done by a professional

Thanks!

Tom

R_W

No, it is not necessary to wrap the headers. In fact, it is usually not a good idea, as header wraps tend to trap moisture and increase the likelihood of headers corroding.
They make spark plug boots just for this very reason. For example: https://www.hinsonsupercars.com/p-53...9-l99-l92.aspx

The only other thing I would consider insulating in addition to the spark plug wire boots would be the starter motor and shielding it like this guy: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...at-shield.html

RicK T

I kind of agree with RW above but I don't have a strong opinion either way. I do like the wrap when done right but I think it works best on ceramic coated exhaust. YMMV

Exhaust wrap is not cheap and fairly difficult to install "correctly". Just to give you more info to think about, check this discussion and scroll down to post 10 where I linked a video:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...est-check.html

Cherokee Nation

Call Borla because it might void the warranty if you have one because it can cause the stainless steel to crack due to the wrap causing to much heat....This information came from American Racing Headers.

Kingtal0n

Heres how it works

Wrap and coatings are great, they trap heat in the pipe which may improve performance but definitely decrease underhood temps.

I always recommend a coating first. Then wrap as "poor mans coating". You can even use both together sometimes. It depends how thick or durable the metal materials are. And this is the warning: If the material is thin, weak, cheap, or highly oxidizable (able to rust easily) then the wrap may accelerate deterioration.

Think about this. If you wrapped a stock cast manifold, that thing would never rust apart or fall apart. No matter how wet or oxidized it gets. they start out rusty as F@#(*$ and they stay rusty as F#@@# and live forever. A thin walled header tube can't do that so this is why you get comments like "wrap will ruin the header tube"- its completely true if the header tube material is thin, cheap, or easy to rust up.

CMY SIX

My 06 LS2 I have Kooks 1 3/4 and the tubes are farther away from everything including the starter then the stock manifolds and cats I did add some heat tape too the clutch line and brake lines that are on the drivers side and I put the vacuum line for the NPP in a woven heat shield tube on the pass. side. other then that I don't see the need.