Header wrap
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 48
From: CT
Header wrap
Has anyone actually wrapped there headers and what were your experiences?
What product did you go with?
How much will I need and do I need to spray them with the high temp silicone spray after?
I'm considering DEI titanium wrap over my 2000* black ceramic coated Kooks.
The car is not a daily, nor is it driven in the rain.
It is a supercharged Auto-x car mostly with 1 or 2 track days a year.
My goal is to lower under hood temps as much as possible.(even though I put a giant heat sink on top of the engine)
What product did you go with?
How much will I need and do I need to spray them with the high temp silicone spray after?
I'm considering DEI titanium wrap over my 2000* black ceramic coated Kooks.
The car is not a daily, nor is it driven in the rain.
It is a supercharged Auto-x car mostly with 1 or 2 track days a year.
My goal is to lower under hood temps as much as possible.(even though I put a giant heat sink on top of the engine)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 309
I have not done this, but i knew somebody who did on an autocross ESP Mustang. I am pretty sure his headers were mild, untreated steel. What he said was that his headers started cracking after he wrapped them and he felt that the wrap was causing the steel to become brittle from the extra heat retention.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 967
Likes: 1
typically the wrap is good for short 1/4 mile use (drag cars) but not something that sees sustained time/use
they can warp the tubes, crack em, and even deteriorate the gaskets from excessive heat
the only header wrap experience i had was with an older Jeep i bought
the tubes wound up cracking from excessive heat
not to mention the wrap starts coming apart and thats not fun either
they can warp the tubes, crack em, and even deteriorate the gaskets from excessive heat
the only header wrap experience i had was with an older Jeep i bought
the tubes wound up cracking from excessive heat
not to mention the wrap starts coming apart and thats not fun either
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
I've wrapped three separate sets of headers, none failed, nor did it really hinder the long term heat under the hood. I found that a quality ceramic coating was just as effective, looked better and had less maintenance involved.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 48
From: CT
I didn't realize the ceramic was so effective.
My headers are already coated with 2000* turbo ceramic coating I thought by adding wrap over that I could remove even more heat from under the hood.
I wish a magazine had done some side by side comparison for some real hard numbers.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,602
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati OH
ceramic is the best choice: looks better, doesn't rust, and promotes effective heat exchange (out the exhaust tips). But if you drive long enough, eventually the heat will soak through anyway. Ceramic, like wraps, are just insulation. Not an absolute barrier.
However, if you ever spill oil (or develop leaks), the WRAPS can be dangerous: oil-soaked wraps can become flammable. Ceramic is the best choice, but obviously tends to be more expensive and requires forethought.
Stainless steel or ceramic coatings are the way to go.
However, if you ever spill oil (or develop leaks), the WRAPS can be dangerous: oil-soaked wraps can become flammable. Ceramic is the best choice, but obviously tends to be more expensive and requires forethought.
Stainless steel or ceramic coatings are the way to go.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
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From: San Clemente CA
Many years ago I bought Doug Thorley headers for my 454 in our motorhome. Doug told me that if I wrapped them it would void the warranty. We had the motorhome for 15 years and never had a header problem or leak. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
Wow seriously, the wrap vs ceramic was the same with under hood heat?
I didn't realize the ceramic was so effective.
My headers are already coated with 2000* turbo ceramic coating I thought by adding wrap over that I could remove even more heat from under the hood.
I wish a magazine had done some side by side comparison for some real hard numbers.
I didn't realize the ceramic was so effective.
My headers are already coated with 2000* turbo ceramic coating I thought by adding wrap over that I could remove even more heat from under the hood.
I wish a magazine had done some side by side comparison for some real hard numbers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
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From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14