Header Wrapping the exhaust

[PSUsouthpaw]

I'm considering this as a possible mod. I did a quick search and turned up nothing, so I figured I'd bring this up. I'm thinking about getting some Header Wrap and wrapping my exhaust, At the cat all the way back to the muffler. Since hot gases move faster than cool gases, and the wrap will keep the heat in and prevent cooling, it might make the exhaust a trifle more efficient and free up a little bit of power...not much worth speaking of, but every little bit helps.

Thoughts, and also, where's the best place to buy this stuff?

[yamaha]

I dont think this will help much, most wrapped exhaust systems I have seen are at the headers. You can buy wrap in bulk on eBay.

[2004ElantraGLS]

Not worth the time or money IMO. The local autoparts stores around here carry it. I don't even have my Header wrapped.

[jayupark]

http://www.centuryperformance.com/heatwraps.asp

Maybe this is why some of the ppl with OBX headers had warping issues...

[Jonny666]

The extra weight from the wrap would likely offset any gains you got from the header wrapp.

[DAILLESTWUN]

How heavy can the wrap be. I mean come on. But you also have to remember that sometimes a little backpressure will help.

[Cypher]

http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10656&highlight=header+wrap

didn't search that well :tongue:

[jayupark]

http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10656&highlight=header+wrap

didn't search that well :tongue:

DOH. :fiddle:

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Depends on the reasoning for wrapping. To keep heat down in the engine compartment it's very effective. To keep the temp up for velocity is a question I have no answer for. I did plan on wrapping mine when I get to that stage in a few years.

[evan938]

The extra weight from the wrap would likely offset any gains you got from the header wrapp.

extra weight? the whole...5lbs MAX? the stuff doesnt have much weight to it, and 5 lbs is the difference of wether or not i take a **** before i go driving.

[WytchDctr]

^- LOL.. no kidding. Exhaust cooling does have an effect on velocity (in a bad way) but what problems will it cause to keep that much heat in the pipes that far back?

[BobMs_wht2k2]

^^ but would it be any different than wrapping a set of Big block long tube headers? They go back about the same distance.

[Jonny666]

I was just sayin your likely to make 0.007HP by wrapping your cat back. and the extra 5lb of header wrap will likely cancel that out.
Just my 2 cents tis all.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

But if it reduces the underhood temps by 20 degrees, the engine will be easier to cool, therefore gaining more than just the .0007hp you suggest. Personally, I think header wrapping a street driven car might be a good idea for those stuck in stop-n-go traffic.

[Corey Johnson]

Since hot gases move faster than cool gases, and the wrap will keep the heat in and prevent cooling,

hot gases dont move faster, the gases as they get hotter expand and take up more volume. thats the idea behind such things as cai and nitrous, the smaller the molecules of gas, the more molecules of gas will be put through your engine...just a thought.

[Jonny666]

I think wrapping a header is a great idea. unfortunatly this guy is talking about wrapping his catback. it doesnt effect underhood temps at all.

[jayupark]

hot gases dont move faster, the gases as they get hotter expand and take up more volume. thats the idea behind such things as cai and nitrous, the smaller the molecules of gas, the more molecules of gas will be put through your engine...just a thought.
That would make sense, but molecules don't really change in size. The space between them does :D

[Goldenguy]

As the gases expand, they gotta go somewhere. There's a lot of pressure on the gases already from the engine itself, so I would be led to believe that the gases might be forced out of the exhaust system a little more quickly.

[cbehage]

Also need to think about it getting wet and rusting out your exhaust.

You could always use silicon paint on it but for the cost of wrap and paint, it is not worth it. Your cat back stays pretty hot as it is. I don't think you want it much hotter.

[Mark_Z28]

It will warp your exhaust pipes, the cat convertor causes the exhaust to get pretty hot from what it does. I put some wrap on my 88 Civic exhaust from where the cat used to be all the way back to the muffler to try and quiet it down. It worked but it also cause the pipe to warp enough that it caused the muffler to hit the back bumper cover, lol. It fell off not long after that anyway, and I even had it clamped onto the pipe with metal hose clamps(the wrap, not the muffler).