Header Wrap/Sealant

[XanderWiFi]

With the tax time here and a good return looking to be on the way, my wife has agreed to let me have a set of headers. Long ago I saw information on a thread regarding using a spray to contain the heat and many mention using wraps. I have been unable to find that thread again and figured consolidation would be good for all the information I have seen scattered out there.

So headers. Wrap them. Spray them. Use both? How to do each (or both). What products have proven to work the best and such. Info to use for all with the much anticipated WOT-TECH brand and already available Pacesetter.

[cherrington17]

silly string and duct insulation.

best combo for the price, imo. (and shockingly... same performance results..)

[kwhauck]

Swaintech white lightning, that what I am paying for when my new headers arrive

wrapping your headers is stupid, read here.....

http://www.centuryperformance.com/exhaust-header-heat-wraps-do-not-use-spg-138.html

[AleroB888]

Swaintech white lightning, that what I am paying for when my new headers arrive

wrapping your headers is stupid, read here.....

http://www.centuryperformance.com/exhaust-header-heat-wraps-do-not-use-spg-138.html

^
........
Below are the test parameters and results using Jet-Hot Coatings® coated and uncoated headers:
(10 Laps, same engine and car with identical headers, one standard, one Jet Hot® coated. Engine is ran between 6,900 and 7,500 RPM, and temperatures are measured immediately after the last lap with the engine idling at 2,000 RPM with identical sustained EGT's of 850º.)

MEASURED AT: JET-HOT® COATED NO COATING DIFFERENCE
1" from engine 300º 750º - 450º
2" above header port (on header) 210º 300º - 90º
1" above floor pan (in car) 115º 165º - 50º

Pretty impressive difference, and with any of these coatings you should take care to not damage the headers. .............

Note that compares uncoated header to coated header, not to stock manis.

Impressive as that is, the stock cast-iron manifolds with their stainless heat shielding kept my underhood temps lower than what it became after changing to TOG headers with a ceramic coating.

The extra surface area of the tube headers dissipates more total heat, even though it may measure lower than stock from point to point in some cases.

I compromised and put layers of wrap between the headers and the components above them I wanted to shield, leaving the area open below the headers and space around the crossover tube.

Now wherever the wrap touches the header, a discoloration will form (so far no actual corrosion), so keep in mind that once that happens, the good looks of the new headers will be lost.

[kwhauck]

^


Note that compares uncoated header to coated header, not to stock manis.

Impressive as that is, the stock cast-iron manifolds with their stainless heat shielding kept my underhood temps lower than what it became after changing to TOG headers with a ceramic coating.

The extra surface area of the tube headers dissipates more total heat, even though it may measure lower than stock from point to point in some cases.

I compromised and put layers of wrap between the headers and the components above them I wanted to shield, leaving the area open below the headers and space around the crossover tube.

Now wherever the wrap touches the header, a discoloration will form (so far no actual corrosion), so keep in mind that once that happens, the good looks of the new headers will be lost.

Did you figure the supercharger into your underhood temps as well? Did you have pre and post reading for stock manifolds vs. headers with or without the supercharger?

I still strongly disagree about completely wrapping headers. I've seen Greg's setup and it is more heat shielding, then an actual wrapping, which is what holds the moisture in and makes for problems.....

[AleroB888]

Did you figure the supercharger into your underhood temps as well? Did you have pre and post reading for stock manifolds vs. headers with or without the supercharger?

I still strongly disagree about completely wrapping headers. I've seen Greg's setup and it is more heat shielding, then an actual wrapping, which is what holds the moisture in and makes for problems.....

I had the supercharger on for a year before going to headers and custom exhaust. The supercharger acts as a heat sink to a great extent, but picks up heat from both stock manis and headers.

I don't have data for underhood temps for stock manis only (w/o SC) vs headers, just strongly suspect it would be higher with headers. We are also talking about the situation here for how the system acts after heat-soaking, not after a cool-down just before a drag race.

I don't believe moisture is the main concern here, the underhood temps get too high to really allow that. The article linked spoke mainly about internal damage to the headers from overheating, actually oxidizing and melting.

However, I would say the conditions for the racing engines cited in the link are far more extreme than what we would see with our engines.

[XanderWiFi]

So a protectant spray will only protect the headers? Not contain the heat as a wrap would?

[AleroB888]

So a protectant spray will only protect the headers? Not contain the heat as a wrap would?

I would simply get the best possible industrial coating put on them if they don't already come with one..... inside and out. If heat then becomes an issue, look into other options. A spray might protect the wrap, but it won't protect the headers. It is very difficult to do controlled tests on such things. Every setup is different.

[XanderWiFi]

That article was really interesting. Is it detrimental to spray on a coating yourself or better to send it out somewhere? How would you coat the insides of it as well?

For that white lightning it looks like you would have to send it to them to coat it? Probably the same for that jet-hot.

The article points out something else: what components in our engine would be good to heater wrap for protection from header heat?

[AleroB888]

That article was really interesting. Is it detrimental to spray on a coating yourself or better to send it out somewhere? How would you coat the insides of it as well?

For that white lightning it looks like you would have to send it to them to coat it? Probably the same for that jet-hot.

The article points out something else: what components in our engine would be good to heater wrap for protection from header heat?

Yes, there is no free lunch here, it's rare to find a place close by to do the job. Contact the coating outfits themslves for details on their methods and processes.

[XanderWiFi]

Engine components to wrap?

[AleroB888]

Engine components to wrap?

Power steering hoses near the down pipe, the header may come closer than stock; intake tubes. Shouldn't be too many.

[G.I.Ceo]

If you want the best coating done for headers these are the guys to do the job. They coat your headers inside and out. http://www.jet-hot.com/

[kwhauck]

If you want the best coating done for headers these are the guys to do the job. They coat your headers inside and out. http://www.jet-hot.com/

I disagree. Having seen several sets of headers, Swaintech's coating is superior for sure (in both quality, and underhood temps)

Jet-hot might only have them beat in looks, but that is it.....

[Redog]

I wouldn't wrap them at all. Jett Hot wears off quickly.

The powder caoting company I go to has showed my headers they got from Jett Hott and they looked like shit, Of course this was after being used on a car, but the coating, that you a lot of money for, wears off pretty quick and actually it's rated to the temps that headers actually get to.

They have repaired and redone Jett Hott coated headers and powder coated them. They are not as shinny as Jett Hott, but they last a hell of a lot longer. In fact, I believe they coated Matt Fuller's headers and he's been very happy.

Jett Hott is in King of Prussia, PA, about an hour west of me, and Bonehead Performance is in Warminster, PA about 20 mintues north west of me, so you as sending them to this part of the country anyway. Bonehead alos sponsers ASS and they are doing it again this year.

If you send it to Bonehead, PM me. I really can't help with turn around time (I dropped off some things there last week and was told they have a 2 to 3 week turnaround time) but I can make sure that they know who you are and they WILL take good care of you.

www.boneheadperformance.com (http://www.aleromod.com/forums/www.boneheadperformance.com)

[XanderWiFi]

I will probably be taking you up on that offer red.

Says the website cannot be found. Bummer.

The white lightning site says their product can take 3000 degrees or something...

[Redog]

http://boneheadperformance.com/

Try this one.

eMail me before you send. IDK about 3000, but def 2000

[XanderWiFi]

Will they hold up to the white lightning?

Oops...I see the 2000 rating.

[Redog]

Hottest I've ever gotten my headers upto was about 1800 and that was on a hot and huimd July day at the track;)

[XanderWiFi]

I was looking at their work. It looks pretty nice. I will let you know here in the near future.

This is going to be a rare opportunity to buy headers and unfortunately I do not believe it will last until WOT-TECH gets their product out. Which means I have to get the pacesetter. Their armor coated header is something that is the same as having a stock sent to bonehead? If so, can do a price comparison for cost of shipping etc.

I simply don't have the skill to take my engine apart and make it flashy anyhow...