Header wrap
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 606
Likes: 7
From: Nashville, TN
It's not necessary for the car to run but I have mine wrapped to keep the heat in the engine compartment down, avoid cooking any wires over time, and reduce the noise level a little. I don't know if it affects the longevity of the header.
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 84
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,101
From: Fulshear, TX
The wrap can trap dust/dirt/debris/moisture and hold it against the metal. Not too huge of a deal since the majority of the industry uses high-quality stainless steel, but the lower quality stainless steels and mild steels could eventually fail because of it.
I am not sure what it could cost to ceramic coat a set of long-tube headers, but I'm guessing it would be in the $2-300 range.
I am not sure what it could cost to ceramic coat a set of long-tube headers, but I'm guessing it would be in the $2-300 range.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 606
Likes: 7
From: Nashville, TN
On previous cars I have had headers burn spark plug wires, a temp sensor wire, and likely caused a starter to go bad. My wrap was around $100 and is extremely effective. I have it on my v twin motorcycle pipes to keep from burning my legs. It still looks great after ~3 years. I think it is cheap insurance.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 28
From: Aledo, TX
I had my headers ceramic coated inside and out. 2000 degree black on the inside and Ceramacote on the outside. In addition I put header wrap on my rear pipes where they come near the rear dif and transmission. My temps on my tranny stay nice and cool.
I hear a lot of the header manufacturers saying that it isn't necessary, but if you can reduce underhood temps than I say do it. This car runs pretty warm already.
I hear a lot of the header manufacturers saying that it isn't necessary, but if you can reduce underhood temps than I say do it. This car runs pretty warm already.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,529
Likes: 1,943
From: Austin Texas
The wrap does noting to slow the uptake of heat from the exhaust gasses.
Thus, a wrapped header runs at higher temperatures, and decays more rapidly.
Which is why, if you get a header coated, the inside is the place it needs to be coated, first; to slow the uptake of heat from the exhaust.
After the header is coated on the inside, it is safe to coat it on the outside and prevent even more heat from getting into the engine bay.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,039
Likes: 697
From: Tulsa, Ok
Wow, that makes perfect sense and I agree with your conclusion however, that rate of decay would be objective and will depend on various factors including make and composition. Clearly the wrapped headers will not decay in 6 months. Would unwrapped/uncoated stainless headers last 5 years, 10 years? Who knows? Would wrapped headers knock 50% of the life off - I doubt that much but I haven't a clue. Trial and error would be the only way. Anyone ever witness stainless wrapped vs. unwrapped life expectancy of same make/composition? Is there a significant decrease in life expectancy?
I'm not trying to debate for enjoyment, I'm at a cross road and want to make an educated decision.
I'm not trying to debate for enjoyment, I'm at a cross road and want to make an educated decision.
The wrap slows the release of heat to the outside (i.e., engine bay).
The wrap does noting to slow the uptake of heat from the exhaust gasses.
Thus, a wrapped header runs at higher temperatures, and decays more rapidly.
Which is why, if you get a header coated, the inside is the place it needs to be coated, first; to slow the uptake of heat from the exhaust.
After the header is coated on the inside, it is safe to coat it on the outside and prevent even more heat from getting into the engine bay.
The wrap does noting to slow the uptake of heat from the exhaust gasses.
Thus, a wrapped header runs at higher temperatures, and decays more rapidly.
Which is why, if you get a header coated, the inside is the place it needs to be coated, first; to slow the uptake of heat from the exhaust.
After the header is coated on the inside, it is safe to coat it on the outside and prevent even more heat from getting into the engine bay.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 254
From: Folsom CA
Back in the day we used to use the header wrap on turbo engines (to get quicker ramp up) and, as previously stated, it reduced the life of the exhaust pipes by as much as 50%. It may not be as bad with SS headers. Typical ceramic coatings coat both inside and outside of the headers and not only reduce underhood temps but claims are that exhaust scavinging is improved.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,039
Likes: 697
From: Tulsa, Ok
They do salt the roads here but I won't drive prized cars on the roads unless dry or until the rain washes the salt off. I was thinking about only wrapping the top 2/3 of the long tubes. You can't get too near the collector anyway. Even the top half would keep temps down I bet.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 606
Likes: 7
From: Nashville, TN
They do salt the roads here but I won't drive prized cars on the roads unless dry or until the rain washes the salt off. I was thinking about only wrapping the top 2/3 of the long tubes. You can't get too near the collector anyway. Even the top half would keep temps down I bet.
Madison Wisconsin
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 504
Likes: 32
From: Madison Area WI
I have used it for years - trouble free
I have used exhaust wrap on my C5 for many years. I had a SS Borla header and exhaust system and did not like the heat in the engine area. So I wrapped the headers with exhaust wrap cloth and over-lapped the wrap considerably to make sure every part had at least 2 layers of the cloth. I ended each piece with a SS hose clamp. I had this for many many years without the single issue. It was never driven in the winter on the snow or salted roads. Traded it in to buy the C7.
I also put the exhaust wrap on my Harley Nightrod to keep from getting burnt by the exhaust. It did indeed lower the temp on the pipe, but it was still hotter than crap. But at least I do not burn my leg now. Next step this spring is to build a bimetal shield for it. It still needs it.
But I never had an exhaust issue in 60,000 miles on the C5. But again, this was a Borla system, not GM. Not sure who made the headers, but I got them with the Borla system. I assume it was Borla.
Nick
I also put the exhaust wrap on my Harley Nightrod to keep from getting burnt by the exhaust. It did indeed lower the temp on the pipe, but it was still hotter than crap. But at least I do not burn my leg now. Next step this spring is to build a bimetal shield for it. It still needs it.
But I never had an exhaust issue in 60,000 miles on the C5. But again, this was a Borla system, not GM. Not sure who made the headers, but I got them with the Borla system. I assume it was Borla.
Nick
Madison Wisconsin
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 504
Likes: 32
From: Madison Area WI
It is a very tough time-consuming job.
Lots of wrapping a loop, and pulling the a long piece around half way, pulling it tight, holding it in place, while putting the rest of the loop on over the pipe and then pulling 20 feet though that opening. And in very tight places where only one thickness went through and then has to go around two or three pipes and then four at the end. Over and over and over and over. Get very comfortable, grab some food and drinks, have your girl friend (wife) visit you and maybe stop for a quickie or two. You will be there for a while. And clamp the ends very well and wrap it very tight or it will slide around.
It was very time-consuming and not easy. You have to get the headers exposed in a way that you can reach them easily. Your arms will get a bit sore. Mine was from under the car on a lift. And you have to go like an inch every 5 or 10 minutes.