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I wrapped my headers this weekend, and took some pictures to share. I couldn't find all my Header wrap answers on CF, so I found it elsewhere and will now whore my findings to my CF mates.
The pros and cons of wrapping
PRO:
Think of exhaust gases as a heavy liquid such as an oil additive. If the liquid were traveling down a tubular system in a cold state, it would move very slowly. If you were to heat the liquid, the density of the fluid changes. The liquid responds to the heat increasing Its velocity. Exhaust gases respond In the same manner. Higher temperatures in a system increases the flow of the system. If the liquid is allowed to cool in the system, It slows down the flow of the liquid. By this explanation, you can now understand the importance of maintaining higher temperatures in a exhaust system.
(http://www.hondaddy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=66)
CON:
Wrap can hold moisture, oil, and grime next to the pipe to cause "rotting."
Extra heat can cause the pipes to become brittle.....Cool air needs to be around the header, and insulating it with a wrap to hold exhaust heat in makes the header material temperatures near molten. When you wrap the header you trap the heat in the header, but also in the material that needs to breathe to dissipate heat for it's own survival.
(http://www.centuryperformance.com/exhaust-header-heat-wraps-do-not-use-spg-138.html)
MY 2 cents:
If I had some fancy race headers I would probably go the Ceramic Coating route...(http://www.madscientistcoating.com/the-process/ceramic-coating-vs-powder-coating.html) but I don't so I'm not too worried as I have stock headers, and if they crack or crap out I'll get thos fancy race headers :shocker:
MATERIALS:
1. Header Wrap
2. Hose Clamps (or stainless zip ties)
3. Hi Heat Coating for Wrap
TOOLS:
1. Wife's sewing tape measure
2. Knife
3. Bucket-o-water
4. Gloves
5. Screwdriver
6. Ipod and Beer
PROCEDURE
1. Gather all your materials and tools.
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2. Get your wrap and soak it in that bucket of water, this stuff is itchy as a mofo. The water also helps you wrap it tighter, and will shrink it tighter when it dries.
3. Get the sewing tape and figure out what lengths you need. Figure 8 inches extra per bend too.
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sidenote: I also painted the cross overs with header paint prior since I knew I wouldn't be able to wrap em
![]()
4. Pre cut your pieces, wrap em up like an "ace bandage"
![]()
5. Put a wrap and a half around the uppermost part of the Header, secure with clamp. Note: make sure the flange is all the way up or you'll get to the bend and realize your a dumbass. Like here.
![]()
dumbass.
6. Wrap it tight....think Bullrider, you know when he gets on the huge freaking bull and the only thing he can hold on to is that little rope he is wrapping his hand in. Yes, that tight.
![]()
![]()
7. Finish up, header wrap must be dry before applying coating.
![]()
8. Also note that when you take off your headers you need new gaskets at the exhaust ports. You've been warned. By the way this stuff stinks like burning waffles and will smoke like a salty one legged sailor for the first few.
The pros and cons of wrapping
PRO:
Think of exhaust gases as a heavy liquid such as an oil additive. If the liquid were traveling down a tubular system in a cold state, it would move very slowly. If you were to heat the liquid, the density of the fluid changes. The liquid responds to the heat increasing Its velocity. Exhaust gases respond In the same manner. Higher temperatures in a system increases the flow of the system. If the liquid is allowed to cool in the system, It slows down the flow of the liquid. By this explanation, you can now understand the importance of maintaining higher temperatures in a exhaust system.
(http://www.hondaddy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=66)
CON:
Wrap can hold moisture, oil, and grime next to the pipe to cause "rotting."
Extra heat can cause the pipes to become brittle.....Cool air needs to be around the header, and insulating it with a wrap to hold exhaust heat in makes the header material temperatures near molten. When you wrap the header you trap the heat in the header, but also in the material that needs to breathe to dissipate heat for it's own survival.
(http://www.centuryperformance.com/exhaust-header-heat-wraps-do-not-use-spg-138.html)
MY 2 cents:
If I had some fancy race headers I would probably go the Ceramic Coating route...(http://www.madscientistcoating.com/the-process/ceramic-coating-vs-powder-coating.html) but I don't so I'm not too worried as I have stock headers, and if they crack or crap out I'll get thos fancy race headers :shocker:
MATERIALS:
1. Header Wrap
2. Hose Clamps (or stainless zip ties)
3. Hi Heat Coating for Wrap
TOOLS:
1. Wife's sewing tape measure
2. Knife
3. Bucket-o-water
4. Gloves
5. Screwdriver
6. Ipod and Beer
PROCEDURE
1. Gather all your materials and tools.
2. Get your wrap and soak it in that bucket of water, this stuff is itchy as a mofo. The water also helps you wrap it tighter, and will shrink it tighter when it dries.
3. Get the sewing tape and figure out what lengths you need. Figure 8 inches extra per bend too.
sidenote: I also painted the cross overs with header paint prior since I knew I wouldn't be able to wrap em
4. Pre cut your pieces, wrap em up like an "ace bandage"
5. Put a wrap and a half around the uppermost part of the Header, secure with clamp. Note: make sure the flange is all the way up or you'll get to the bend and realize your a dumbass. Like here.
dumbass.
6. Wrap it tight....think Bullrider, you know when he gets on the huge freaking bull and the only thing he can hold on to is that little rope he is wrapping his hand in. Yes, that tight.
7. Finish up, header wrap must be dry before applying coating.
8. Also note that when you take off your headers you need new gaskets at the exhaust ports. You've been warned. By the way this stuff stinks like burning waffles and will smoke like a salty one legged sailor for the first few.
