Heading says it all.


of course I know about the advance/auto zone, etc.... stuff

 

Its all made from the same stuff. They make it from FRP strands. FRP is fiberglass reinforced polymer. They just weave it and sell it in wrap form. Its all the same. The thing that matters is how you glue it, tie it, or melt it onto the manifold to get it to stay. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

 

cool


from your reply I would think you have not discovered the best way to make it stick?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaHeddie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the best way to make it stick?</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is my bitchin question also...how the hell do we get it to stay wrapped?

 

I used DEI black wrap...sorry no pics, but in a nutshell:

1. clean and paint your header if desired
2. wear gloves, cut off a section of wrap for your need (there are instructions for measuring, but 5-1/2 foot is good for a DC sports primary tube)
3. dunk the wrap in water then wring it out, and it will be soft and flexible
4. use a zip tie at the top to get it started...wrap, unwrap, rewrap until you get it right
5. cut the zip tie at the top and replace it with a hose clamp or a DEI header wrap tie (like a stainless zip tie)

Once you're done, you should let it dry then coat it with DEI siliconized spray to seal it off from moisture.

 

Thanks Fireant:

I just found this searching:
http://www.centuryperformance.com/heatwraps.asp


what problems have you guys had from wrap?


does it shorten header life?


This is a daily driver, not racing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaHeddie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks Fireant:

I just found this searching:
http://www.centuryperformance.com/heatwraps.asp


what problems have you guys had from wrap?


does it shorten header life?


This is a daily driver, not racing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That link was more muss + fuss to sell his end of the deal, I've never heard of people having to replace their headers due to using a wrap. I can't imagine why anyone would use it then if that were true ( and it aint, cause I sell the hell out of thermotec stuff ).

http://www.thermotec.com/produ..._id=2 &lt;--- the best way to keep header wrap located and in place.

I had a wrap on my old Spark header and it lasted a few years. I never really saw any negative effects.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ComeOnKip &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

That link was more muss + fuss to sell his end of the deal, I've never heard of people having to replace their headers due to using a wrap. I can't imagine why anyone would use it then if that were true ( and it aint, cause I sell the hell out of thermotec stuff ).

http://www.thermotec.com/produ..._id=2 &lt;--- the best way to keep header wrap located and in place.

I had a wrap on my old Spark header and it lasted a few years. I never really saw any negative effects.</TD></TR></TABLE>


OK that makes sense.

What would be wrong with plain ole hose clamps?

Would a dab of jb-weld be overkill to help hold the ends?

I have seen sealer mentioned in some places, and not mentioned in others.
Should I soak them with a sealer? If so , is there a best one?

BTW:
When I do this I will post a good write-up with lots of pix if you guys think it would be a good thing to have.

 

If you're worried about a wrap coming undone, then why don't you just get it ceramic coated instead? I've had both of my cars coated for years, and have no issues. Besides, it looks much better than the mummy look.

 

only negative i've noticed from my autozone heat wrap is its starting to turn black and dingy along the edges where it was cut, but i've never smelled/seen/noticed any kind of smoke or flame...an older guy down the road has had his headers on his old school 454 wrapped for like 7 years and he said and hes never had a problem...i asked him before i did mine

 

http://img122.imageshack.us/im...5.jpg

i bought mine from ebay for $29.50 shipped. i bought 50 ft and had a whole bunch left over. you also need the metal zip ties to hold it in place. i bought the zip ties for $8.50. i hope my picture link works so you can see for yourself

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tommycrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you're worried about a wrap coming undone, then why don't you just get it ceramic coated instead? I've had both of my cars coated for years, and have no issues. Besides, it looks much better than the mummy look.</TD></TR></TABLE>

what did your ceramic coat cost you?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaHeddie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

what did your ceramic coat cost you?</TD></TR></TABLE>
On the crx, did it in black, and I think it was around $70-80? It's been several years now. Yeah, it's more expensive, but it's also a one-time, don't ever think about it again kinda thing. I've also heard about the wraps trapping moisture; that could be an urban legend, but didn't feel like chancing it.

 

has anyone ever heard of powdercoating a header?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tommycrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
On the crx, did it in black, and I think it was around $70-80? It's been several years now. Yeah, it's more expensive, but it's also a one-time, don't ever think about it again kinda thing. I've also heard about the wraps trapping moisture; that could be an urban legend, but didn't feel like chancing it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The cost difference, and availability may be a deciding factor.
I need the car for work and cannot wait for a shop to coat it. anyway with header removed I could not take it to a local shop if there was one anyhow.
I am experienced in similar techniques ,like handlebar wraps, so I think my wrapping will be acceptable.
I have read about wrapping experiences alot recently and most all of those that speak of the evils of wrapping have not done it so they are only repeating what they have heard from others that have not done it (see, urban legend).
It seems that the problems some do experience are from bad wrap jobs, or weak headers.
I have even read BMX forums. Those guys definitely spend alot of time in mud and water...and rocks. Every time they wash the bike the wrap gets soaked. They simply run the engine for 1-2 min and the header is dry. The only way water could get "trapped" is if you dont run the engine after washing under the hood. If one does not do this you would have other water problems anyway, so I dont the the trapping issue is anything but rumor, not experience.
Some of these BMX guys have even had wrap on their header for 7-10yrs before redoing it. Every so often they recoat the wrap with silicone sealant.

Since I spent about $30 on the header (incl s&h) and even the cheapest wrap the wrap will cost a bit more than that, I think I will avoid the higher cost in time and money of a coating shop. I will wrap.

When I get started pics will follow.

Thanks alot for the input everyone.

 

I did a wrap on my jeep cherokee about 5 years ago and I've been happy with it ever since, make sure you take your time and get it right, use the metal zip ties, and the only downfall I've had is DO NOT PRESSURE WASH! It makes it start to come apart, also I never used the spray stuff and I have noticed any problems other than where I presuure washed it.

 

Just a reminder wear some gloves and a long sleeve shirt.

 

I didnt read all the replys so if it was already said sorry but header wrap is BAD. I have seen pictures of headers when they have been unwrapped and they are all rotted. The wrap traps the moisture and eats the **** out of the headers. The best thing to do it get a thermal coating. I have the pictures of the head but I dont have a scanner.

 

I'd like to know how wrap can trap moisture against steel that operates at like 400 degrees.

 

If I had a scanner I would upload the pictures of a half wrapped header and the bottem half is rotted and the top half is fine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gibsanez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd like to know how wrap can trap moisture against steel that operates at like 400 degrees. </TD></TR></TABLE>

400? well over 1000 degrees at times. I have seen headers that were wrapped for awhile and they were fine, most headers are stainless anyway which wont rot or rust

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gibsanez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd like to know how wrap can trap moisture against steel that operates at like 400 degrees. </TD></TR></TABLE>

exactly gib
if it gets wet, run your engine and dry it out, just like you would anyway if you had washed under the hood with a oem manifold

There has to be more going on than just putting wrap on if things turn out as that "genius" says (who should have read all the posts instead of saying he didnt)

those pix look cool I am sure but I would rather hear from the people who's header the pix are of.
Not hear more hearsay.

Like I said in one of my posts it seems that people who talk bad of wraps have almost exclusively not acquired their knowledge by experience, only through hearing others talk bad cuz they heard it from someone else
"My friend knows somebody that knows this guy who's brother ruined his header".....

please provide FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE only please


thanks to all that have
to those that havent, thanks for the laugh

 

One more question

1 inch or 2 inch?

 

i would say 1 inch, seems like you would have an easier time doing it.

 

i wrapped my DC 4-2-1 1-piece header weith thermo tec. i am very happy with the results. was there any damage from corrosion? absolutely not. when my car got stolen, the theives tried to take my header and destroyed my wrapping but couldnt get the header out. but the header looks fine. this is after 2 years of use and a season of road racing.

i used metal hose clamp at the ends. 1" and their normal length kit was JUST enough to wrap all the collector pipes. it stopped just before the o2 sensor. again, this is the 1 piece header, not the 2 piece header.