I have an S4 NA streetported and i was wondering if putting exhaust heatwrap on my headers (racing beat streetable), would actually have some good benefits.

I put the headers on with no exhaust wrap because I am on a tight budged and usually only buy something for my car if it can really help it out where it will actually make a difference.

So I know it should keep the temps down in the engine bay, but how much and how significant of a difference are we talking about ?

Any possible hp gain from this ?

Last question, if i did decide to put on some exhaust heat wrap after I get some replies on here how hard would it be to do with the headers already on ? I have some wheelstands that I can drive the car onto.

 

Yes, header/exhaust wrap is always good, and will provide increased power, and decreased engine compartment temps.

yes, you should have done it before putting the header on

 

ICEMARK, any kinds of wrap to stay away from? Any tha you prefer?

 

Well do you think I will still be able to do it with it on ? I want to get some exhaust heat wrap and put it on there while its still on the car, I have some drive up wheelstands that should make it pretty easy to access the header from underneath to do it.

Any certain brand you use ? What do you use to hold it in place ?

 

I am using Thermo-Tec exhaust wrap on my Racing Beat Header.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

To hold the wrap on I used:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Why can't you just unbolt the header and take it off the car? I wouldn't even want to think about putting the wrap on while it's still on the car, that would be a bitch. You need to get the wrap wet so you will be dripping fiberglass water all over yourself... and it's not going to be easy getting the wrap inbetween the 2 pipes near the collector. But the wrap is real nice, my engine bay feels cooler with the header wrapped then it did with my stock exhaust manifold and the stock heat shields.

 

I'm looking at the DEI wraps right now, they have a universal turbo one with a turbo blanket and some wrap (DP) for about $70-80 on ebay for as low as $40.

 

They have the lace up style you can use so you dont have to take off the header. BTW IMO, if your going to do this, you might as well wrap the top rad. hose, and the intake piping for max results.

 

The exhaust wrap I am using now didnt require me to make it wet to put it on and why would it be such a bitch to put on if i have the car on wheelstands I drive onto ?

I really dont want to have to take off the headers to do it , its creating more work that I really shouldnt have to do. (because I should have bought heat wrap and put it on before)

Those things to hold the heatwrap I've bought before and couldnt figure out how to make them work so I just used really big adjustable metal ones with a screw that adjusts it. The heatwrap I used i bought on ebay, it was liek 10 bucks or so.


I already have my intake pipe with heatwrap around it you can see that in my icon pic for my avator.

As far as putting heatwrap on the radiator hoses...I've never heard of this, does anyone actually do this ?

edit - a big reason for not wanting to take off the header is because I have a lack of tools to get it off, im using a medium size cheapo wratchet and walmart $6 set of wrenches.

 

I have heard of useing a samco hose with wrap, the water in that hose is 185+, btw nice sig, but it might run a bit better if the AFM was level. Who knows?!

 

I WAS also thinking about heat wrap since im going to install my RB header soon. Thankz guys

Jason NYC

 

I would return the heat wrap and buy a better set of tools...

 

yes it is a good thing to do, yes u can do it with the header on the car of course u can it will just be harder to do...

and btw I have NEVER heard of any header wrapneeding to be wet to install.. I personally would not want anything gunked up to my header.. just roll it close and EXTREMLY tight and then u can clap it up in spots and u will be SUPER happy!!!

Dave

 

Header manufacturers love this stuff because you'll be buying another header sooner.

 

yeah they do cause your headers to crack quicker. I personally wont be using it I will take the couple hp loss (if any really) to have longevity of the header

 

It will be ten times harder to put the wrap on with the header in the car, and the job will not be acceptable in the end. In order to get good coverage, you need to have the wrap held TIGHT throughout the entire wrapping process. This is almost impossible to do in the car.

Buy some tools then.

 

^+1

Take it off the car and wet it before you even attempt to wrap it. Wear some gloves, too, cause fiberglass will get itchy...

I've done it before, and it is time consuming, and it has to be wrapped extremely tight, and each time you go around it should overlap.

 

I dont have money for any new tools , I'm basically broke..but in a month I should have enough money for the heatwrap.

Are people on here saying putting on heatwrap will make the headers not last as long ?

I have made my afm level since taking that pic, I should take a new pic so everyone knows Ive fixed that.

I'm just wondering how i should take the headers out, if I should take just the headers off or take off the headers with the straight pipe thats in place of my cat.

After youve taken them off should you block the exhaust port holes ? Or does this not matter as long as you get the headers put back on in a timely fashion (after putting on the wrap)

If I had a job I would be able to do this all much sooner, but it sucks being broke like I am.


How long you think it will take to wrap them and have them ready to put on the car (im guessing 30mins - 1 hour)

 

Get a job.

A socket set, a few extensions, and a 3/8" ratchet.

And get some Wrenches from like 10mm-19 and you should be able to get some stuff done.

Header bolts are 14mm, take off your 5/6 port actuators to have easier access to them.

It keeps underhood temps down. I think it's worth it. After you wrap them and put everything back on, when you start your car it will probably smoke a little bit. That's the heat wrap... don't worry about.

James

 

Hows the heatwrap make it smoke ???

When you say to wet it you mean to wet the heatwrap or the headers ? And why would I want to do this ?

I was wondering if I will need a new header/engine gasket after taking off the headers, along with the gasket that will be going between the header and the straight pipe or catback (depends on how i take it off)

I do have a wratchet but its like your average size wratchet and Im afraid it will break if it gets too much torque.

I still need to get money though to buy the exhaust wrap and whatever else I need before i even think about doing this job

This is the best priced exhaust heat wrap I found, http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

You may need a new engine to header gasket. You may also need another gasket for your exhaust.

You need to wet the wrap because it's a bit more flexible when it's wet, and you will be able to wrap it tighter. Either get a bucket and just plop the wrap in and then wring it out, or spray it with a spray bottle full of water or something.

I forget why it makes it smoke, mine smoked for a few minutes while it heated up, then it stopped, never smoked again. This was the first time I started the car with it on, by the way.


James

 

I have exhaust wrap on my intake but i never wetted that, but maybe I should have before putting it on but its on there pretty good now.

Hopefully in a month or so I'll be able to get all this stuff done, but how much hp increase you think this gives ? Prolly not much im guessing , maybe a hp or two ?

Sucks that I may have to buy new gaskets , the engine to header gasket i know is like $12 bucks from mazdatrix/racing beat.

What gasket would i use for my exhaust ? The pipe is 2.5" diameter.

I may not even need any gaskets at all, but incase I do need them when I do the job Im going to have to buy them just incase.

 

If the gasket is intact you may not need to replace it. So long as it makes a good seal when you put it back on. I don't know why people think that it will reduce the life of the header.

 

I know I said this in a previous post, but why are you worried about saving up for 3 horsepower when you could buy some decent tools? How do you expect to fix/learn anything about your automobile without any tools to tear into it? Having a set of tools that allow you to pull apart your car is worth more than a 1000 horsepower.
Am I wrong here? Isn't life basically all about tool acquisition?
This whole concept of not owning or wanting to own tools just boggles the very schema that controls the network of my rotary-powered brain.

Brian

 

Im sick of this get tools talk, I had a very nice 150 Piece Craftsmen set before that I actually pretty much lost all of.

I cant exactly afford another 150 piece toolset with the current income I get, the last one I got was a present.

If yall so concerned with me having tools why dont you buy them for me ?

As I said I'm on a limited budget and I dont exactly have many options to use my money.

 

Most of the only sockets you will ever need to lightweight mechanic work is 8mm, 10, 12, 14, 17mm and maybe a few others. no need to get another huge socket set as alot of them are useless for the 7.