Header wrap...yes, or no?

[WASABI]

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



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