Wrapping the exhaust headers - what do you think?
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Wrapping the exhaust headers - what do you think?
I'm just curiouss what people think about this and if anyone has done something similar?
From http://www.toyoland.com/performance.html :
Sounds like BS to me, but I don't know too much about these things which is why I ask here 
From http://www.toyoland.com/performance.html :
"One cheap way to get extra power and fuel economy is to wrap your exhaust manifold/header with heat resistant exhaust wrap/tape.
"When exhaust gases are pushed out of your cylinders to your exhaust manifold, the air surrounding the manifold begin to cool the gases. This cooling process reduces the velocity of the escaping gases and the engine must 'work' to push the gases through your exhaust system.
"Wrapping the exhaust headers with exhaust wrap maintains hotter exhaust gases that exit the system faster through decreased density. Increased exhaust scavenging is produced, along with lower underhood and intake temperatures. I would also venture to guess that my catalytic converter operates more efficiently since hotter gases would elevate burning of pollutants.
"I purchased the exhaust wrap by a company called Thermo Tec from a JC Whitney catalog for around $30. I installed the wrap on the header and a portion of the exhaust pipe leading from the catalytic converter to the muffler.
"This mild enhancement resulted in a 5 - 7 HP gain ... the power surge starts at around 3,000 rpm. I haven't had the chance to monitor the fuel economy gains."
"When exhaust gases are pushed out of your cylinders to your exhaust manifold, the air surrounding the manifold begin to cool the gases. This cooling process reduces the velocity of the escaping gases and the engine must 'work' to push the gases through your exhaust system.
"Wrapping the exhaust headers with exhaust wrap maintains hotter exhaust gases that exit the system faster through decreased density. Increased exhaust scavenging is produced, along with lower underhood and intake temperatures. I would also venture to guess that my catalytic converter operates more efficiently since hotter gases would elevate burning of pollutants.
"I purchased the exhaust wrap by a company called Thermo Tec from a JC Whitney catalog for around $30. I installed the wrap on the header and a portion of the exhaust pipe leading from the catalytic converter to the muffler.
"This mild enhancement resulted in a 5 - 7 HP gain ... the power surge starts at around 3,000 rpm. I haven't had the chance to monitor the fuel economy gains."
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From: Bodymore, Murderland
it seems like they were trying to explain it to much like tryin to sell it to hard i wouldnt trust it 5-7 hp turns ito almost nothing by the time it gets to the wheels and then it wont even be noticable
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From: JAX, FL
i read about wrapping in the past and found some who say it does help some...but can make your headers not last as long...because your forcing the heat to stay on the headers....the heat has to escape somewhere.
ok maybe that didnt make sense lol I just know I found some negative reasons why wrapping wouldnt be good...at least not on a daily driver...someone please correct me if I am wrong!!
ok maybe that didnt make sense lol I just know I found some negative reasons why wrapping wouldnt be good...at least not on a daily driver...someone please correct me if I am wrong!!
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From: Denton, TX
The story on wrapping the headers is true, with small gains. You might get 2-3hp.
Here is the problem, when the headers cool, water vapor will condense on the pipes and cause rust. The rust will eventually cause failure. If you are running DC ceramic, this does not apply.
I am biased. As soon as I can afford a new set of DC headers, I will be wrapping the headers for the extra horses (both of them
).
Here is the problem, when the headers cool, water vapor will condense on the pipes and cause rust. The rust will eventually cause failure. If you are running DC ceramic, this does not apply.
I am biased. As soon as I can afford a new set of DC headers, I will be wrapping the headers for the extra horses (both of them
).
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From: JAX, FL
interesting....so it could simply depend on what TYPE of headers you have yes?
or wouldnt it be possible to wrap and unwrap sometimes? not sure how hard that would be lol...maybe tedious
very interesting though.
or wouldnt it be possible to wrap and unwrap sometimes? not sure how hard that would be lol...maybe tedious
very interesting though.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6
From: Houston, Texas
if your considering wrapping your header you might
want to check out jethot.it's not cheap but is a lot
better than wrap.jethot reduces engine compartment
temps and can add 2 to 3 % to hp.soon as i get my headers
in ill be adding this coating to them.
jethot.com
want to check out jethot.it's not cheap but is a lot
better than wrap.jethot reduces engine compartment
temps and can add 2 to 3 % to hp.soon as i get my headers
in ill be adding this coating to them.
jethot.com
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Team No Limitz
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From: Smithtown Scion (NY)
Truthfully guys, I would be surprised if you saw a 2 hp gain. These motors run hot but not that hot. Header wrap is more used for big V8's or turbo apps not to say you couldnt use it on a 1nz header...just saying it would definitely be a placebo effect if you were able to feel that much of a difference.
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From: JAX, FL
http://www.jscspeed.com/index.html?/.../thermotec.htm
that is where i had read a lot of info in the past when looking at doing this, going to consider it myself lol
i do agree it may not show up as added hp possibly...but im a firm believer in the big picture.
if i iadd an exhaust, i may not see much...but when im done with exhaust, intake, and headers...then its the whole airflow together that will be nice....having it wrapped at that point would make me feel like ive done it complete..not just one piece..of course thats just how I think lol
that is where i had read a lot of info in the past when looking at doing this, going to consider it myself lol
i do agree it may not show up as added hp possibly...but im a firm believer in the big picture.
if i iadd an exhaust, i may not see much...but when im done with exhaust, intake, and headers...then its the whole airflow together that will be nice....having it wrapped at that point would make me feel like ive done it complete..not just one piece..of course thats just how I think lol
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From: JAX, FL
im curious about hood scoops.....i wonder how that would affect it all, i am a car newb though im learning.
my guess is scoop = cooler air into the engine compartment = more power..im sure its not a lot but am i right in the thought behind it??
my guess is scoop = cooler air into the engine compartment = more power..im sure its not a lot but am i right in the thought behind it??
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From: Smithtown Scion (NY)
you really wouldnt need a hood scoop unless you are going turbo or supercharger. I had a turbo on my xB and I still didnt think it was necessary to put a hood scoop on. Again though, to each is own but I think you should spend that kind of money into something else that you will get more of a hp gain or visual mods.
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As said before I would only find it proper to apply header wrapping in racing or track conditions. The wrapping will still transfer a good amount of heat to the engine compartment. If you are doing this because of concern to the shifting cables, the easiest and most affordable thing to do is support the cables with stainless steel exhaust hangar wire. I used this procedure since I didn't want my cables touching my head regardless of if it's the DC Sport or not. They are now 5/8 of an inch from the header and very safe. 
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Originally Posted by uber-xA-RS2
As said before I would only find it proper to apply header wrapping in racing or track conditions. The wrapping will still transfer a good amount of heat to the engine compartment. If you are doing this because of concern to the shifting cables, the easiest and most affordable thing to do is support the cables with stainless steel exhaust hangar wire. I used this procedure since I didn't want my cables touching my head regardless of if it's the DC Sport or not. They are now 5/8 of an inch from the header and very safe.
and now i have a crap load of wrap left over
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Fail, INC
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From: What's in your Box...
Here is my real experience. I have used Thermo Tec on my headers on a 383 Chevy stroker motor I had in a 280Z......I was trying to reduce ambient heat...NO real difference...very small change... WHat was stated earlier about the condensation is true it did ruin my ceramic coated headers... I then went to Aluminum... my advice STAY AWAY
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From: Carlisle, PA
Exhaust Insulating Wrap is an innovative way to create more horsepower and reduce under-hood temperatures. Wrapping headers maintains hotter exhaust gases that exit the system faster through decreased density. Increased exhaust scavenging is produced, along with lower intake temperatures. Exhaust Insulating Wrap withstands continuous heat up to 2000°F, and contains no asbestos. Thermo-Tec exhaust wrap will not over-insulate a system when properly installed due to a proprietary coating developed by Thermo-Tec - Thermal Conduction Technology (TCT) - that conducts heat across the wrap's surface. This coating controls heat build-up and dissipation.
The wrap will also work better if you wrap the entire exhaust system.
Also check out this link. http://www.thermotec.com/technology/how/how.html
The wrap will also work better if you wrap the entire exhaust system.
Also check out this link. http://www.thermotec.com/technology/how/how.html
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From: What's in your Box...
Installed properly and caused problems..do not believe everything you read....let me quote myself again..NO horsepower gain...This comes form it being on a car that saw lots of dyno time as I tracked progress... Also this product has been around for years it is nothing new....
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Originally Posted by elusivedragon
im curious about hood scoops.....i wonder how that would affect it all, i am a car newb though im learning.
my guess is scoop = cooler air into the engine compartment = more power..im sure its not a lot but am i right in the thought behind it??
my guess is scoop = cooler air into the engine compartment = more power..im sure its not a lot but am i right in the thought behind it??
The only thing i can tell you is, once you turn the car off it does cool faster.
Cya
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