I'm getting some headers for my 92, and I wonder if I should put on a wrap kit, presumably to keep engine compartment temperature down. Anyone have some ideas on this? Thanks
Insulating wrap for headers
- Thread starter Oldduffer
- Start date
I have a set of header wrap for sale on the "NSX Parts For Sale" forum. But really, if I were you, I'd get your headers ceramic coated inside and out. It's much more tidy and aesthetically pleasing in addition to better performance.
I had mine done by Airborne but Swain Tech, Jet Hot, etc do it as well:
And what it looks like under the car:
I had mine done by Airborne but Swain Tech, Jet Hot, etc do it as well:
And what it looks like under the car:
I agree with Ponyboy.
I think insulating the headers is a good idea because the OEM manifold/header has a heat shield (presumably to prevent too much heat from getting radiated into the engine compartment) but aftermarket headers don't have any shields.
To insulate the headers, I think you can use either a header wrap or ceramic coating. From what I've read, the steel bands used to fasten the wrap to the header will prevent the header from expanding as much at that point as it does in other places when it gets hot, which will lead to stresses and sometimes to fractures in the header.
With ceramic coating, no problems. I got my headers ceramic coated by HPC coatings and the quality of the coating looks good.
I think insulating the headers is a good idea because the OEM manifold/header has a heat shield (presumably to prevent too much heat from getting radiated into the engine compartment) but aftermarket headers don't have any shields.
To insulate the headers, I think you can use either a header wrap or ceramic coating. From what I've read, the steel bands used to fasten the wrap to the header will prevent the header from expanding as much at that point as it does in other places when it gets hot, which will lead to stresses and sometimes to fractures in the header.
With ceramic coating, no problems. I got my headers ceramic coated by HPC coatings and the quality of the coating looks good.
Ponyboy, nice looking oil pan.:wink:
I had mine done by Jet Hot inside and out. They look so good i'd like to hang them on the wall as art but I think as I got the last set of Comp-Techs from SOS i'll go ahead and use them as they were intended.
Installed them last weekend with help from m3456y here in s/w Fl. and after 8hrs the job is done. They look even better installed than they would hanging on the wall. To bad they won't be seen. They run so cool you can barely feel the heat radiating from them. Jet-Hot says I should get 3hp because of the heat containment.
It's coming off the blocks today, i'll see. It sounds basicly stock with the stock exhaust and cats installed but m3456y says I won't believe the power difference. I don't want them to be loud. Why tell the cops i'm coming in advance on the street.
Cheers
nigel
Installed them last weekend with help from m3456y here in s/w Fl. and after 8hrs the job is done. They look even better installed than they would hanging on the wall. To bad they won't be seen. They run so cool you can barely feel the heat radiating from them. Jet-Hot says I should get 3hp because of the heat containment.
It's coming off the blocks today, i'll see. It sounds basicly stock with the stock exhaust and cats installed but m3456y says I won't believe the power difference. I don't want them to be loud. Why tell the cops i'm coming in advance on the street.
Cheers
nigel
from my past turbo and header install experience, I would say No.. dont need the wrap. Heat shield is OK if you have one for a header but not necessary to wrap header unless you are in a competition type vehicle.
reasons:
OEM exhaust manifold have heatshields because it is a large chunk of steel. It retains a lot of heat due to the mass and restrictive properties.
Header is thinner walled and less restrictive Heat dissipate a lot faster.
Wrap does work but at the expense of baking in heat to your header. weld can crack earlier in a wrapped header. I had a Turbo snail Heat shield and it actually made the snail housing (turbine side ) burn off a small layer of the steel material. I also had weld failure with a wrapped downpipe at the waste gate return flange pipe.
reasons:
OEM exhaust manifold have heatshields because it is a large chunk of steel. It retains a lot of heat due to the mass and restrictive properties.
Header is thinner walled and less restrictive Heat dissipate a lot faster.
Wrap does work but at the expense of baking in heat to your header. weld can crack earlier in a wrapped header. I had a Turbo snail Heat shield and it actually made the snail housing (turbine side ) burn off a small layer of the steel material. I also had weld failure with a wrapped downpipe at the waste gate return flange pipe.
