... whatever next?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Heat-Wrap-for-Exhaust-Manifold-Header-1-x-15_W0QQitemZ8063350134QQcategoryZ38786QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

anyone using this stuff? thinking the black stuff wouldn't look too much out of place ... but black is best colour for radiating heat so may not be good idea?


Also on ebay there is kerasil wrap - anyone used this - seems a fraction of the price of other stuff.

I used this stuff

CLICKY CLICKY

£35.00 delivered and I only just had enough! 50ft of 2" wide.

I was looking at the black stuff but decided it might look crap after a while - so stuck with the standard stuff

50 ft?

how much would I need to wrap up this type of crossflow manifold 4-2-1, only up to the side panel (can't find better pic at the mo'


engine, exhaust side

The silver stuff would be my choice - but I would probably need more than 60 feet to do my V6 so it gets expensive

[Edited on 11-5-06 by RazMan]

quote:

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Originally posted by RazMan
The silver stuff would be my choice

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Any colour would probably be ok but as silver might be a little more reflective and it would match my colour scheme

The fact is - you have to overlap half of the wrap each circumfurance of the pipe - so effectively you are getting a 1" strip (less in tighter areas)

You'll be surprised at just how little 50ft will cover.

Up to you though

I used 65' of 1" wide to do my 4-2-1 X-flow manifold. It needed a lot more than anticipated, the aim was to have approx 1/2 tape width overlap but in reality this was more like 3/4 overlap to get complete coverage, especially over the collectors and the tighter bends. Got a feeling it may be more difficult with wider tape.

It was secured with st.st loccking wire.

I was advised to paint mine after it had been fitted and cured (engine run for 15mins and all smoke cleared !). The reason for this was to seal the wrap and stop it absorbing any oil / water that might damage it's fabric. A couple of coats of black engine paint covered it...more smoke as the paint cured.

Not sure if this is right or wrong but the wrap certainly lowered the under bonnet temps (stainless exhaust now golden colour as the heat has to go somewhere but I'm not bothered).

On a negative note I'm afraid I think it's overrated.

FWIW I used exhaust wrap twice (2 different exhaust sytems). It was OK but not a fantastic success on either occasion.

On balance, with a mild steel system I think the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. Yes thermo wrap (or whatever it's called) lowers temperature under the bonnet.
However on the other hand it's rather expensive, it made the headers very rusty under the wrapping (which you then don't see) and it pushed the high manifold temperatures downstream to the extent that the silencer wadding burned away much quicker than before.

Also it eventually gets grimy and tatty-looking, if that bothers you.

In the end I stripped the last miserable lot off, threw it away and never bothered again since.

If it's an "either/or" choice then your miles better off with plenty of bonnet vents IMO

regards
Dave



[Edited on 11/5/06 by Dave Ashurst]