Header Wrap

[speed_3]

Im installing my Corksport DP this weekend and i also purchased some ceramic header wrap to throw on while Im in there. Anybody else using it, and is it worth doing the DP too.

 

[Cisco240]

I've used header wrap on my other boosted car too help bring down the underhood temps. Did the entire DP cause heat is the enemy.

 

[ericrapp]

You will find you may not be able to reinstall all the shields. May i suggest you wrap most of the downpipe it before install as it can pretty tight in there and I suggest mechanics gloves also when you do the DP. I wish I bought the manifold and installed at the same time. the rest of the exhaust is cake. Those pesky O2s, use caution as I am sure you know

 

[lil_red_wagon]

You will find you may not be able to reinstall all the shields. May i suggest you wrap most of the downpipe it before install as it can pretty tight in there and I suggest mechanics gloves also when you do the DP. I wish I bought the manifold and installed at the same time. the rest of the exhaust is cake. Those pesky O2s, use caution as I am sure you know

another tip is to install the o2 sensor that goes in the dp before you wrap it. makes life a little easier on fitment.

 

[speed_3]

You will find you may not be able to reinstall all the shields. May i suggest you wrap most of the downpipe it before install as it can pretty tight in there and I suggest mechanics gloves also when you do the DP. I wish I bought the manifold and installed at the same time. the rest of the exhaust is cake. Those pesky O2s, use caution as I am sure you know

Is it possible to wrap the headers or is it way too tight. I was looking in there and it looked possible.

 

[ericrapp]

I would wrap the divorced down pipe bfore installing. The midpipe does not need any. If I had the after market exhaust mani i would wrap that rascal too. even though those do look most excellent when left exposed. But you should protect the Top mounted Intercooler from heat transfer at all costs! I did not wrap mine so cannot say, but I do have the Corking and as i mentioned it gets alittle tight. Lil red... great point about the sensors.

 

[mr_mazda329]

If possible, take the DP/ header off. It's the best way to make sure you do a good job.

 

[speed_3]

I would wrap the divorced down pipe bfore installing. The midpipe does not need any. If I had the after market exhaust mani i would wrap that rascal too. even though those do look most excellent when left exposed. But you should protect the Top mounted Intercooler from heat transfer at all costs! I did not wrap mine so cannot say, but I do have the Corking and as i mentioned it gets alittle tight. Lil red... great point about the sensors.

Thanks ill look this weekend probably just end up wrapping the downpipe, it will keep it some what cooler.

 

[aaronc7]

Some say the wrap can get moisture stuck in it and cause corrosion etc.

thoughts/real world experience?

 

[lil_red_wagon]

my p5 has a header that was wrapped for a couple of years and is now going without wrap and the only thing that i have noticed is little bits of fiberglass stuck to it. i would just swap the wrap out about once a year just to keep it from leaving crap all over the exhaust.

also, if you have no experience with it, it does smoke for the first few minutes while the excess fiberglass is burning off. do not worry about this, just run the car at operating temperature for a half an hour or so to let it burn a little.

 

[ericrapp]

Stainless should be fine. 7

 

[speed_3]

my p5 has a header that was wrapped for a couple of years and is now going without wrap and the only thing that i have noticed is little bits of fiberglass stuck to it. i would just swap the wrap out about once a year just to keep it from leaving crap all over the exhaust.

also, if you have no experience with it, it does smoke for the first few minutes while the excess fiberglass is burning off. do not worry about this, just run the car at operating temperature for a half an hour or so to let it burn a little.

What about ceramic wrap same thing?

 

[AutoXRacer]

Just see my heat wrap thread on the other forum... (mazdaspeed fourm . org, MS3 turbo section)
Or my car domain page: Speed #943 page 13.

 

[ericrapp]

What about coatings on the high heat downpipe or exhaust manifold? will that help matters? Thanks

 

[AutoXRacer]

What about coatings on the high heat downpipe or exhaust manifold? will that help matters? Thanks

That would be preferred over wrapping; the only difference is that it requires more down time and its a little more costly.

 

[speed_3]

That would be preferred over wrapping; the only difference is that it requires more down time and its a little more costly.

Are we talking about Ceramic coating these pieces? If so it is there really any difference then just ceramic wrap.

 

[AutoXRacer]

Are we talking about Ceramic coating these pieces? If so it is there really any difference then just ceramic wrap.

The benefit of ceramic coating is that the application is more uniform as opposed to wrapping where you will get uneven wraps (its unavoidable) that cause hot spots and could potentially cause stress fractures. In addition, coatings will not affect clearances between parts. Say you coat your stock exhaust manifold, you could re-install the heat sheilds, while if you wrap, you could potentially not be able to. I wrapped mine and was able to re-install them, but it was a PITA!!! In addition, wrapping material stinks when its heated up. I've had mine on the car for over 3 weeks now and it still smells like my engine is on fire!!!

Coatings are much nicer (asthetically) and are much better with heat distribution. If you have the money and time, coatings are the way to go.
If I were to do it all over again, I would have gone with ceramic coatings.

 

[speed_3]

The benefit of ceramic coating is that the application is more uniform as opposed to wrapping where you will get uneven wraps (its unavoidable) that cause hot spots and could potentially cause stress fractures. In addition, coatings will not affect clearances between parts. Say you coat your stock exhaust manifold, you could re-install the heat sheilds, while if you wrap, you could potentially not be able to. I wrapped mine and was able to re-install them, but it was a PITA!!! In addition, wrapping material stinks when its heated up. I've had mine on the car for over 3 weeks now and it still smells like my engine is on fire!!!

Coatings are much nicer (asthetically) and are much better with heat distribution. If you have the money and time, coatings are the way to go.
If I were to do it all over again, I would have gone with ceramic coatings.

did you take your exhaust manifold off to wrap it or were you able to leave it on the car. Also what are those prices like for getting it ceramic coated.

 

[AutoXRacer]

did you take your exhaust manifold off to wrap it or were you able to leave it on the car. Also what are those prices like for getting it ceramic coated.

No, I left my manifold on. It wasn't that hard to wrap it. There is plenty of room. If you do use wrap, just make sure to buy plenty of disposable latex gloves and at least one face/nose mask, so you don't breathe in the fiberglass. Its some really nasty stuff!!!!

I don't know how much coating costs. I think to coat a downpipe is like $150-200; I think for a tubular exhaust manifold is about the same.

 

[speed_3]

Im using ceramic wrap i don't think i'll have that problem right? Thanks for the info.