Header wrap...yes, or no?

[WASABI]

Last summer I purchased and installed an OBX stainless steel header (4 into 2 into 2).

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/build/header 1.jpg

I have had it on and off the car 3 times for clutch replacement and new coolant hoses, and timing belt. Now that I have it off once again, should I wrap it? I am running a Racing Beat intake with K&N cone filter that is pretty close to the header and worry about heat sink to the aluminum intake. I'm not sure if wrapping it shortens the life of the metal, not that this header was terribly expensive; If I get three years out of it I'll be happy. Thanks.

-Jim

P.S. not as shinny, so no big deal to cover it.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

I have asked the same question and have wrapped my new header (isn't in the car yet). Everyone who has a wrapped header says its worth it. Keep that heat away from the intake!

[druz]

It will trap moisture and surface rust the stainless, but if you don't care about that then go for it.

[adamvanxxx]

Always heard that it'll trap moisture and it'll rust. But I don't get how any moisture will stay on a 1000+ degrees surface, IF it even makes its way into the bay.

Do it. It's a cheap header anyways.

Edit: Never looked into it but this article has some info.

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

You could always just shield the things you want to keep cool from radiant heat, build a box, header heat shield, reflective tape, etc.

FWIW, I made a heat shield out of an old plate I had and the air box was cool to touch but with out I would burn my hand if I touched the bottom.

[urban]

it Will trap moisture , and it will accelerate the metal corrosion. the obx is a fairly thin wall'd header as it is . just be prepared and not suprised .

with that said , i wrapped my obx and kept it on for just over a year , when i removed the wrap , the header was still in good shape. i wouldnt do this to mild steel , stainless only.
the benefits ? well im sure it helped. not like wrapping the hot side of a turbo that you can feel though.

[adamvanxxx]

It seems in most things I read that it just fatigues the metal by overheating it. A lot of people probably associate the cracks and breakdowns of the metal to corrosion.

I could not see how any moisture would be able to stay there for very long at all.

[atlnb]

could try a heat blanket instead if you're worried about corrosion. heard that works pretty well

[ThatWhiteNA]

Would a header blanket work for this? Or is the one Track Dog Racing makes for oem manifolds only? I forget.

[adamvanxxx]

It works with both aftermarket and OEM, not entirely sure how it mounts though..

[adamvanxxx]

Side note: Why is the hose from the mixing manifold to the heater core not there?

[atlnb]

RotornutFD3S has one. Someone can ask him

[morr]

Would painting it with high temp/rust prevention stuff prior to wrapping do anything to fight corrosion? I know the moisture will still get in there, but it's another layer it'd have to get thru before reaching the header...

[atlnb]

it might prolong it, yea..

[WASABI]

Side note: Why is the hose from the mixing manifold to the heater core not there?

This was when I first installed the header. I had also purchased a new aluminum radiator and all new coolant lines as well. So the hoses were not installed yet.

[WASABI]

Would painting it with high temp/rust prevention stuff prior to wrapping do anything to fight corrosion? I know the moisture will still get in there, but it's another layer it'd have to get thru before reaching the header...

This is why I asked. I have seen lots of people saying yes wrap/no wrap, paint the header then wrap, paint wrap with silicone after, and everything in between. I wanted to see if any of you guys have done it...if so what were the results.

-Jim

[morr]

Yeah I've heard both arguments many times but never a definite answer. What about maybe putting one of those heat blankets over it and then a shiny heat shield on top of that?

[djsqiigles]

it looks dope just do it

[moerdogg]

A piece of metal for a radiation shield, like the OEM header, might be extremely effective. If the air in there is relatively slow-moving, most of the heat transfer to the intake would come from radiation off the hot metal.

Edit for clarity: By "in there" I mean "under the hood" not inside the header. The air inside the header is obviously hustling.

[kung fu jesus]

I have had a TDR blanket on my JR header for a few years. Fairly simple installation. My header is coated. The blanket works very well for reducing the engine bay temps.

If you're so inclined, wrapping it is probably a cheaper option and it does have a nostalgic look to it.

[urban]

definite answer.

it doesnt matter. it wont make your car faster . it will help break down the header over time , but you will never see the end result , cause you wont have it that long.
any coating , or finish, under the wrap will be burned off after a while . high temp paint wont last.

but it looks badass.

[druz]

This is my RB after it was wrapped for a little while. Some parts of the primaries that were under the wrap are actually still shiny, whereas the collector and downpipe that weren't wrapped are completely surface rusted.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TkaSr3OSpd0/T0MGR5TJ6II/AAAAAAAAASY/hI8B7bX5Uug/s800/IMG_7943.JPG

If I were to do it again I'd probably go blanket, but wrapping is cheaper and easier. If your EGT's aren't race car level I don't think you'll have to worry about it getting so hot as to cause fatigue. Then again it's OBX so I don't know about the quality of the material and welds.

[xjdesertfox]

This thread is relevant to my interest.

My JR header is giving me hot foot in my gutted miata like crazy!

im gonna thermotec the outside of the tub along where the header runs, i was debating on whether or not to wrap the header as well, and maybe go with a blanket for the primaries.

[atlnb]

Ive been thinking of wrapping my header and intake so this is interesting to me as well

[adamvanxxx]

Heat tape your trans tunnel.

[WASABI]

This is my RB after it was wrapped for a little while....I don't know about the quality of the material and welds.

Thanks for the picture. What is a little while? A couple years? AND, did you have the bottom tray mounted on your car? The reason I ask, is I wonder if the tray helps keep some day to day moisture out.

Here's what I'm thinking now:
1.) paint header with hi temp paint
2.) wrap header
3.) spray wrap with hi-temp silicone spray

[ScarfaceThe91]

What would be the purpose of the hi-temp silicon spray? A water repellent?

[atlnb]

A sealant to prevent slippage and prevent moisture to getting inside the wrap and accelerate corrosion

[druz]

I bought it used and wrapped, it had it maybe a year of east coast use. Don't know about the tray.

[RotorNutFD3S]

I have a TDR blanket on my OBX header in my '99, no problems for the two years it has been on there and it reduces the heat drastically in that area of the engine bay. It's supposed to bolt in place using the factory metal shield bolt holes, which the OBX doesn't have, but I formed the blanket around the header (it has metal edges that conform to however you bend them) and it's never moved.

[Twibs415]

i have my oem manifold (94) iv cleaned out the welds and not welded it from the outside, then i painted it with vht, then i dunk the header wrap in water so when i wrap it its tighter, then started it up and watched the steam show. anyways. my header has been reliable no crack or rust or what have you for almost 2 years. i did re wrap it once cause it was starting to rip everywhere.

i think a lot of the "oh your header will break sooner" posts are from people who drive salted roads.

[Frenchmanremy]

do it, because RACECAR!

[atlnb]

Here's how to do it because RACECAR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AXIurqcYco


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muEzarjY7Fk&feature=related

[WASABI]

Thanks for the videos atlnb. I bought the wrap (tan, 2"x50') and the stainless steel ties. I plan on cleaning, then painting the header with my BBQ paint (2000º) before wrapping. I still haven't decided on the top coat of silicone yet. This will be my weekend project!

-Jim

[atlnb]

No problem Jim, be sure to let us know how it turns out

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Say you didn't let the header wrap soak in water before wrapping.... would that be a bad thing?

[atlnb]

eh, probably not bad bad but you wouldn't guarantee a tighter wrap. dipping it in water takes no time. esp if you have another car to let it dry properly

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Well the header is wrapped and sprayed with the silicone stuff. I don't want to undo it all and dip it in water...

[Willywongka]

This is my RB after it was wrapped for a little while. Some parts of the primaries that were under the wrap are actually still shiny, whereas the collector and downpipe that weren't wrapped are completely surface rusted.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TkaSr3OSpd0/T0MGR5TJ6II/AAAAAAAAASY/hI8B7bX5Uug/s800/IMG_7943.JPG

If I were to do it again I'd probably go blanket, but wrapping is cheaper and easier. If your EGT's aren't race car level I don't think you'll have to worry about it getting so hot as to cause fatigue. Then again it's OBX so I don't know about the quality of the material and welds.

Would you happen to know how to remove the surface rust from the header? It seems my header was wrapped by the previous owner and partially removed when I bought it and it also has similar surface rust.

[atlnb]

Well the header is wrapped and sprayed with the silicone stuff. I don't want to undo it all and dip it in water...

should be fine then. i wouldn't worry about it if it doesn't look like it's loose or anything

[atlnb]

Would you happen to know how to remove the surface rust from the header? It seems my header was wrapped by the previous owner and partially removed when I bought it and it also has similar surface rust.

maybe just some CLR

[urban]

polishing compound and a wheel

[WASABI]

I was away last week on business, but now the headers off, degreased/washed, and painted with high-temp (1200º) black paint. Tonight I'll wrap her!

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/build/tb 16.jpg

[WASABI]

And then she was wrapped!

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/build/tb 18.jpg

WOW, that was time consuming.

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/build/tb 17.jpg

Tonight she dries, and gets installed tomorrow.

[WASABI]

...but, not before she gets a final protective coating. A whole can of high temp silicone coating.

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/build/tb 19.jpg

Once dry, this stuff is hard as a rock.

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/build/tb 20.jpg

I will be installing it tonight. It has to cure at at least 400º, so I figure if I run the car for 15 minutes, I should be fine. I'll post final installed pictures tomorrow.

-Jim

[bokehmon]

Do it out of the garage... it'll be smoking like hell for those 15 minutes. :lol:

[WASABI]

Do it out of the garage... it'll be smoking like hell for those 15 minutes. :lol:

I didn't...and it DID! Holy crap did she smoke! I had to start it in the garage, just in case something went wrong, leak, noise, or such. I left the doors open, but, I'm a little high right now from the fumes. :blaugh2: She stopped smoking after about 20 minutes. I am putting together a DIY thread on the wrap process, in case others want to give it a go.

-Jim

[atlnb]

was that video helpful?

[WASABI]

was that video helpful?

The video was very helpful. For one, I was amazed at what a difference wetting the wrap makes. It absorbs quite a bit of water quickly (for being fiberglass) and stretches making a tighter wrap. After it dried for a couple of days, it was tight as a drum.

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/build/tb 21.jpg

P.S. One note: Think twice before you attempt this in your kitchen. That fiberglass thread gets everywhere! Or, just wait for your wife to go to bed.:whistle:

[WASABI]

And just one more of her installed!

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/build/tb 23.jpg

[jerjozwik]

sexy.

[Agent☣Orange]

Wow WAS, that is an incredibly nice job!









Now give me that damned valve cover...

[WASABI]

sexy.


Wow WAS, that is an incredibly nice job!

Thanks guys!!

She has been holding up great. The wrap seems to be working at keeping temps down, two months out. After a hard drive you can touch the wrap around the header pipes without getting burned.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

I just got my wrapped headers on. After a hard drive love that I can touch my headers. Stuff is awesome

[jerjozwik]

so engine bay temps reduced?

sexy AND functional!

[Stealth97]

are those hose clamps actually holding up?

[WASABI]

so engine bay temps reduced?

I'm not sure, in so much as I never took temps before under equal conditions. My main concern was the RB intake getting hot. I know it's not the most effective intake, but I have always liked the looks (and sound). On the road, she seems to keep cooler.


are those hose clamps actually holding up?

They are. I purchased stainless steel clamps, tightened them, cut off the excess, and then painted them with the black silicone spray that covered the wrap once they were dry.

[iRoadster]

I have that same kitchen sink. :teehee:

[I<3flippyheadlights]

They are basically metal zipties. I have them on, and my wrapped header is awesome. I don't feel heat sink anymore, but who knows.

[etikoner]

Am I the only one who prefers to see headers un-wrapped? haha


I'm not sure, in so much as I never took temps before under equal conditions. My main concern was the RB intake getting hot. I know it's not the most effective intake, but I have always liked the looks (and sound). On the road, she seems to keep cooler.



The RB intake is probably one of the only intakes to actually make power.

[iKhanh]

I was thinking about getting the APEXi Power Intake; do you think that would be any better than the RB one?

oh, and now that you've done the header wrap, how do you like it? would you do it again? and would you recommend doing it?

[etikoner]

^ Apex Power intake is just a filter, and iirc they're actually one of the best ones you can buy for the money. (They actually filter debris, and flow nicely, too)

That filter combined with the rb tube should be nice!

Still debating on doing the header-wrap

[atlnb]

I think it's worth doing. Hardest part is probably taking off the header lol

[Gene Rodriguez]

the life of the headers will shorten since the head is packed inside the header wrap... great performance wise but it does shortens its life

[afc2112]

Am I the only one who prefers to see headers un-wrapped?

Raises hand! I like seeing unwrapped headers.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Raises hand! I like seeing unwrapped headers.

unwrapped headers = awesome

Heat soak = eats monkey cock

[iKhanh]

^ Apex Power intake is just a filter, and iirc they're actually one of the best ones you can buy for the money. (They actually filter debris, and flow nicely, too)

That filter combined with the rb tube should be nice!

Still debating on doing the header-wrap

yeah i was thinking about trying to get a hold of one of the RB elbow adapters, but was still considering if i wanted to get a front strut bar or not. i really want one though because it would point the built-in velocity stack forwards.

[WASABI]

I think it's worth doing. Hardest part is probably taking off the header lol

On both my Miatas, it was easier than I thought (for New England cars). When I reinstalled the headers, I made sure to use copper anti-seize, so now the bolts come off no problem



Am I the only one who prefers to see headers un-wrapped?

Raises hand! I like seeing unwrapped headers.

I liked them unwrapped too...well for the first year. Then the shine, got less shiny, and the heat, got more heaty. Having done this, under hood temps still seem cooler, and the RB elbow doesn't get hot. I would do this again.

-Jim

[Soledad]

Another vote for the header blanket. I bought the TDR one and I love it. The original version I had for a few years before I bought the newer, larger version that covers the secondaries as well. I have been kicking around the idea of wrapping my OBX ceramic coated 4-2-2 header and using the Header blanket as well.

[tsingson]

I guess I am in the unwrapped header boat. I kinda like the non-mummified look.