Header Wrap?

[LilYellowZQ8]

I was wondering if it would be worth it to wrap my new headers before I install them this week. I have heard people say that it will make them rust quicker than normal, but I don't see how with it being driven daily. Any thoughts? BTW, I got a set of JBA headers, not ceramic coated either :( .

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

Header wrap DOES cause them to rust quicker -- even on a daily driver. Even with the extreme heat that the headers build up, moisture envelops them and gets trapped by the wrap. I wouldn't recommend using it, personally. Headers, non-coated, at best last about 2-3 years anyhow -- with header wrap it's even less. I'd invest the extra $$ (about $200-$250) and have them coated. Mine, with y-pipe ran about $275 and took only two weeks from Jet Hot. It's worth the wait, to say the least. The coating not only makes the headers last a LOT longer, it keeps under hood temps down and exhaust temps up (keeping the exhaust temp consistent keeps the velocity consistent, and improves horsepower).

Real world numbers? I'd say the ceramic coating is usually good for around 2-5 hp -- maybe more. Header wrap? It's cheap and it's quick -- but those both come with a different kind of price!

[Blazer69]

header wrap sucks...friend had it on his camaro and caused the headers to glow red hot constantly....get ceramic coating

[bvr775]

You'll see allot of the older bikers with the high performance cafe racers with wraps.I wrap my bikes pipes when I go on long runs but auto headers or a differnt thing. I don't know how to wrap atomotive headers nor do i want to know, but I do know If done right with the right wrap it'll disapate heat like jetcoating(ceramic) just not as effiecently with a big draw back and one very outstanding plus. As stated before wraps cause header rusting. You cure this by rewaping them constantly. it's kind of a headache for an extra 2 hp, but if your have a heat soak problem try wraping you starter and your collectors. It will most definalty cure a heatsaok problem.

[joker2040]

Header wrap voids your warrenty on most headers. Does it not?

[importmaster1300]

I have some on mine. I like to see the manifold glowing red lol!
I think it works just fine, its better then the heatshield.

[bvr775]

Header wrap voids your warrenty on most headers. Does it not?
I belive so. then again don't most of the mods we do to things

[joker2040]

Very true bvr.... What was I thinking... Who needs a warrenty??

[flameds10]

as supercharged zq8 said spend the extra money and get them coated or if you can some way send them back and get the ceramic ones I know JBA makes them it is worth it to many +++ 's to list

[T Man]

would engine paint work? i think a siilver engine paint would do an ok job on headders, then wrap them? i have no experience, but it seems like it would work to me

[bvr775]

you have to contiuosly rewrap them. Therefore unless you have a bike, T-bucket or something with an open engine compartment and you just want the look you'r going to end up paying more to wrap a set with the right wrap(beware of imitations) than you would to buy a $450 set of header coated headers or $300 set and have them jet-coated.

High-temp paint will hold up or headers for a little while, but last I checked the good high temp(3000*+) only comes in flat black or zinc grey.

[T Man]

oh, well, just a thought. I thought I read in like hotrod mag or something that they took the iron manifolds off and painted them with high temp paint. I know that they are iron, and probably do not get as hot (or do they) but it seemed like an ok idea to me, oh well, gotta learn about this crap sometime!

[Snoman002]

VHT paint, 1500 degree, multiple colors. This stuff is better than the flash coating that comes on headers but is not great, not as good as ceramic coating that is. I did my headers two years ago and the paint is still the original color, where it hasn't rusted that is. It hasn't seemed to provide any resistance to rust.

[OBI WAN]

Header wrap for non racing applications is a COMPLETE NO NO!!!

They do make a DIY kinda of coating that you bake which is suppose to work fairly well, but dont know anyone that has tried it!!

[Krazny]

There is a type of coating they use on Firearms barrels that seems like it would help protect the headers at high temps. Stuff was designed for MG barrels, so it will tolerate the heat, dunno if it will protect wiring/stuff nearby tho. . .