Header Wrap versus nothing

[TucsonHooligan]

Before this turns into the inevitable "Jet Hot coating is the way to go" discussion, I only want to know whether headers are better off fiberglass wrapped or just left bare with high temp paint. I want to reduce underhood temps but not if the wrap causes the headers to retain too much heat and fall apart. Coatings are not an option, so its one or the other. Opinions?

 

[CobraSix]

Neither of those options are great.

High temp paint generally doesn't last. Try to get exhaust rated paint, but even then, they don't last too long.

I run to the hills away from exhaust wraps. They may work on reducing engine bay temperatures, but they retain moisture and will corrode your headers very fast.

 

[woodbutcher]

And,if you bother to read the fine print in the garentee,the wrap WILL void the garentee.
Leo

 

[rbohm]

8) i have heard the pros and cons of header wrap, and my conclusion is that it is good for race cars where you are going to be taking things apart on a regular basis, or where the car doesnt get much use in inclement weather. it also is ok for cars that live in dry weather, like we have here in arizona. that said however, i would only use it on race cars. i just paint my headers with VHT header paint and go from there touching them up from time to time as needed.

 

[thesameguy]

Jet Hot coating is the way to go.

I would agree that header wrap is not a great idea on a street car - they trap moisture and can retain enough heat to crack headers. I would stick with paint, Eastwood has some pretty good paints these days that in my experience will hold up to a lot. VHT is also a great brand - but I have no firsthand experience with their high-temp paints.

 

[64 200 ranchero]

i like my flat black VHT header paint, it never came off, it faded a little but it has lasted a year already

 

[TucsonHooligan]

Thanks guys!

Moisture was never an issue. Being in the AZ, its not really an problem, and unless you park your car for weeks at a time, you dont need to worry about it as running it for 10 minutes dries out anything that may be trapped. My concern was with the retention of too much heat in the header itself and the potential for it to rot from the inside out. I want the benefits of lower engine bay temps on intake, etc., but not at the cost of a set of headers every couple of years.

That VHT paint is perfect. Doesn't lower heat or anything, but is rated up to 2000F. I have it on one of my scooter exhausts. It's a 2 stroke and has several thousand Arizona summer and highway miles on it and it hasn't faded a bit. I guess thats the route I'll go then. Shame really, I had already ordered the wrap and put it on, fiberglass rash and everything, until I came across some people on the internet saying it was the devil. I kinda like the way it looks too.

 

[bubba22349]

Moisture was never an issue. Being in the AZ, its not really an problem, and unless you park your car for weeks at a time, you dont need to worry about it as running it for 10 minutes dries out anything that may be trapped. My concern was with the retention of too much heat in the header itself and the potential for it to rot from the inside out. I want the benefits of lower engine bay temps on intake, etc., but not at the cost of a set of headers every couple of years.

I can't see it rotting a header from the inside out in warm areas like AZ or Ca. I’ve never had it happen in lots of years of use were a head pipe or headers go first, usually for me it’s the mufflers and tail pipe that would rot out from condensation. I do agree that a ceramic coating inside and out is the best you can do and good header paint will also work is all I have used I am going to try the fiberglass wrap on my next one though.

 

[falcon fanatic]

I've used header wrap with great success on two different cars in California. My '85 Honda civic had header wrap on it for 100,000 miles and the header never leaked. I usually install the wrap (you have to wet it first so that it goes on smoothly), put it in the sun to dry for a day or so, then paint the wrap with the silver spray that the same company makes. Looks super cool, keeps the engine bay super cool.

 

[jahearne]

I wrapped ClassicInlines stainless steel headers and the temps are much cooler and a lot quiter up front. We'll see what happens to them in a few years... btw, what's the correct way to install hot air tube for the automatic choke? The kit I got is just an aluminum tube; I assume I have to crimp the end otherwise it's a vaccum leak.

 

[woodbutcher]

Hi John.IIRC,you DON`T crimp the end.That slight vacuum that comes through the tube is what gets the hot air to the choke.The installs that I have seen,the tubing is just wrapped around one of the header tubes and held there by a standard hose clamp.The other end is attached to the choke housing as normal.
Leo

 

[jahearne]

Thanks, Leo!

 

[woodbutcher]

You`re welcome.
Leo