ImBatman

Trying to look at ways to reduce engine compartment temps. I have Jet Hot coated side pipe exhaust. I can't imagine what the heat would be like without the coating! Would it be worth it to wrap my headers on my BB?

baxsom

you can do it but there is a lot of evidence out there to support the theory that wrapping them will shorten the life dramatically.
many ceramic coated header companies will void the warranty if wrapped

7T1vette

If the header tubes are made of a decent grade of steel...yes. If they aren't, wrapping the header tubes will just allow them to get very hot and 'melt' away. It shouldn't hurt a good brand name header. If they're cheap Chinese knock-offs, I wouldn't advise it.

ImBatman

I have a set of Hooker super comps. Even with the JetHot coating they are pretty durn hot and it really heats everything else up. I already have a hard enough time keeping the motor cool as it is with a big radiator, HV water Pump, new seals and dual electric fans.

FKING1

My Hedman instructions said do not wrap.

oldboat

i did wrap the headers on my small block 69. i don't know that it has reduced the engine compartment temperature. but it has kept me from burning my fingers while working under the hood. it has also kept me from heat soaking the starter which is why i put it on.

63Nova

Wrapping the headers is "supposed" to dramatically shorten their life span, by not only trapping in the heat and fatiguing the metal faster, but by also trapping in moisture and causing deterioration of the metal.

I've never done it so I don't know first hand.

wiseman79

I wrapped my coated hedmans, they rusted quicker than I'd expect they should have. Also when I removed the wrap the texture of the fabric had etched itself in the coating. I tried to get them recoated and the shop refused to do it. They took one look at them and said they don't coat headers that have been wrapped in the past because it effects the finish quality and durability and they won't coat what they can't warranty. Just food for thought.

gingerbreadman1977

mine are ceramic coated and 2 pipes go very close to my power steering box so i have wrapped them in header wrap. has been on for 2 years and when i took it off the ceramic coating has lost its shine but its nothing major. i would rather save my steering box from the heat then worry about slight tarnish on my headers.

73StreetRace

If you have parts too close from the headers / exhaust pipes, I think it's better to insulate these parts with aluminized insulation clothes ( power steering box, hood, for instance ), flame guards ( for hoses ) instead of wrapping the pipes / headers...

fauxrs2

I had wrapped headers on my Camaro for 6 years, never had an issue with it. It reduced temps very well and prevented burns on my hands.

that said all header mfrs pretty much will void your warantee if they are wrapped, what good a hdr mfr's warrantee is I am not sure as I'm willing to bet the warrantee only goes for 90 days or so on most mfr's.

A quality set of headers shouldnt be seriously affected IMO.

mikey

I wrapped hooker super comps against others advice. 2 yrs later a hole blew out one of the primaries because they had rusted out. I had even sprayed the wrap with waterproofing silver spray. My next set of supercomps were ceramic coated inside and out and underhood temps were cooler than with just wrap. They still look great after many years now.

RobRace10

There is a big difference in header coating also. On all our race cars we have used Swain Tech White Ceramic coatings. Jet Hot looks pretty and does work some, but a good heavy ceramic coating is way better but it does not look nearly as nice and grows some crystals bumps. The biggest problem with header wrap is rust from the trapped moisture. Header wrap does work but for sure will shorten the header life some.

73StreetRace

...and make them look like crap

wiseman79

Depends on the application, on a chromed up show car I agree they look a little out of place. But on a race car or high performance car they look tough.

gingerbreadman1977

when i say close i mean CLOSE so header wrap was best option for me. there was no room for shields or guards. you can see a tiny bit of it on the middle 2 pipes, the rest is underneath.the joys of a right hand drive conversion being so tight on this side but on the other side of the engine i could fit a small house.

73StreetRace

Yes, I admit, this is really close

Peterbuilt

Nothing to do with the original post!
Did GM make RHD? Or how did you convert them over? PG.

gingerbreadman1977

Nothing to do with the original post!
Did GM make RHD? Or how did you convert them over? PG.

if you really want to know thats going to be another post and a long one.there is many aussies on here who share my pain. here is bit of a read out of corvette fever for you pete...

http://www.corvettefever.com/feature...tes/index.html

auavette

Had a set of Hedman headers in my sbc 76.
Ceramic coated them myself with Benzona and then wrapped.
Had them for a good 15 years on the daily driver.
Had them changed when engine was changed for a BBC and a set of jetHot sidepipes were brought in as replacement.