How much wrap you'll need (at least 3 rolls for long tube headers) 2 rolls ain't going to do it for me for 440 headers, long tube
This ought to be something that they mention when you buy a roll... don't stop at one. You'll need at least 2, probably 3 or 4 for big block long tube headers
DEI makes fiberglass and titanium color (which is colored fiberglass) and that costs 4 times what the competition charges
When using fiberglass, you're supposed to get it wet before using it to prevent the fiberglass dust from getting airborn, in your nose and sinuses, and all over your hands and arms. https://youtu.be/oNcz6qwuyT0
If you use the fiberglass wrap, you might want to consider using a high temp paint to make the fiberglass stable, and not fray into fiberglass dust, also seals the header wrap from oil or brake fluid from soaking into the header wrap (can cause a fire). https://youtu.be/oNcz6qwuyT0 55 seconds into that video
The cost of header wrap spray paint varies widely, from 8 a can to 4 times that.
You can buy the high temp header wrap paint from Jegs, Summit, Eastwood, Thermo-tec, etc. But you can order all of those on Amazon - but spray paint won't be delivered to a post office.
You don't have to buy black header paint, there is copper, and clear. Might be others. You can also look for furnace and BBQ paint for other colors
How many of those stainless zip ties, and while that's something you can probably easily count.... how about this, they don't tighten very well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy5xilp_Rec for how to get them to tighten better
But you know what does? Hose clamps, and hose clamps are also made of stainless, and do a very good job too.
You can also buy the stainless zip ties from Harbor Freight. That might be cheaper than Summit Racing.
Start at the collector end of the header, not the head to header gasket end.
The sides of the wrap are different, and DEI says to put the sewn side toward the collector.
There are 4 wrap manufacturers https://youtu.be/rBtY2bISIN8
https://www.youtube.com/@DesignEngineering/videos
If you don't mind my asking, does this really help? I've wondered about doing it to my 14 GT.
ReplyDeletegood question, I do not have evidence of it doing anything other than making the heat go out the exhaust pipes instead of radiating in your engine bay.
DeleteAccording to anecdotes, the more heat inside the pipe, the faster the exhaust gases leave, and according to the heat vs pressure theory, that makes sense.
Since it's a fact that it does lower engine bay temps, the radiator can do a better job with a greater heat differential so it's able to get the heat out of the liquid coolant and into the engine bay... this also lowers engine temp theoretically, over a car with unwrapped headers.
I know of no test that has dynod a engine with and without header wrap, and I doubt the magazines ever did one. I guess if the header wrap companies have done it, we would have heard about it
I love to see real tests, by unbiased 3rd parties, or hear from experts who know if something does what it claims to.
I can tell you from both my experience, and other people warning me, DO NOT wrap cast iron exhaust manifolds. They will crack. Mine did.
I've only ever had headers on 2 cars, this car being one, and I couldn't afford to do this to the last one, and it was the early 90s, and the internet wasn't around to get info from.
Nor to order parts online.
I can tell you it's cheap to do, but, labor intense. How much a difference does it make? Only a real test can tell.
I certainly don't mind you, or anyone, asking. It's the best way to hear from readers! Well, compliments are best, but, it's right there in 2nd place. No, maybe 3rd, I'd rather hear stories about life experiences with cars, and then maybe how Smokey Yunick cheated and got away with something that Nascar later made against the rules. So, 5th place.
DeleteI've always wondered too. It obviously keeps the under hood temp down. But as far as what's going on inside the pipes, I would think that the more the exhaust cools down, the lower it's pressure, and the lower the back pressure resisting exhaust flow. But if true, would it really make a difference? Like Jesse says, only a dyno would tell.
DeleteDon in Oregon
It's a PIA, but it does work as intended. My last application was around some very tight fitting turbo tubing. I bought it in black, my hands were black for days after applying wet as the dye isn't stable.....gloves are a good idea, whoops.
ReplyDelete