Thermal Exhaust/Header Wraps

I have been considering wrapping my headers/exhaust with thermal wrap, mainly for the customization that it affords (i.e. color trim). I'd really like to get some informed opinions/experiences from some you veteran riders out there, before I do. My questions are as follows:

1. Is there anything that would negatively affect the performance, that I should know.

2. Is it ok to wrap the headers and the mufflers, or just the headers?

3. I've read a couple of places that the headers should be double wrapped, then sealed. Is that the best way?

Really looking forward to all feedback. Thanks in advance.

 

1. keeps the heat off of the motor which should make the motor run cooler, a small plus in performance.
2.Most people don't wrap the mufflers for looks, whether its a bad idea, IDK.
3.Double wrapping keeps more heat off the motor and in the pipes, but I would think that it would also keep more heat exposure to the head and exhaust valve unless your not using mufflers. Too much of a good thing?
Sealing is a good idea, helps hold the wrap together and in place longer because the heat eventually causes the wrap to expand and wear down creating a loose fit and allowing heat to escape past the wrap.

 

4. Wrapping will hold moisture next to the pipes and eventually cause them to rust.

5. Ceramic coatings come in colors now. It does cost more, but it provides the same benefits of pipe wrap and won't chip or rust.

 

Good point.

 

The point of exhaust wrapping is to keep the exhaust hotter. As a substance heats up it expands. The exhaust gases cool off as they travel through the header out the tail pipe, which causes them to contract. The contraction slows down the speed of the stream of exhaust, which reduces the amount of scavenging.
Having wrapped headers will slightly increase the scavenging efficiency of your exhaust system, which will help draw exhaust gases from the cylinder resulting in a small performance gain.

 

Sort of counter-intuitive, but correct ^

You'd expect the contracting gases to create a vacuum & speed up flow until you think more carefully about it

 

Unless you're actually drag racing an xj against a clock to the thousanth of a second, you're not going to see a "gain" from header wrap.

It's purely cosmetic.

 

so, the only negative is the moisture/slash loosening, which can be fixed by using a sealer?

 

Infrared the block before and after.
You wont like what you see

 

Don't think our pipes are lacking in scavenging anyway. If your pipes were baking you it might make sense, or for autos if the exhaust is 12 feet long it's an issue, or the exhaust can heat the intake up, or the hood. If your pipes aren't pretty properly applied ceramic is the way to go-or just replace them because even the ceramic won't last as long as well cared for chrome.

Another thing to consider is creating a lean condition with the exhaust change. I'm with the Kid on this one, it's better to let those pipes stay nice and air cooled without a blanket.

 

Thank you, everyone for your input. After weighing the pros and cons, I am going to leave well enough, alone. BTW, anyone know where I can find a good alkthrough on changing the carb intake boots?

 

Carb to engine boots or air box to carb boots sir

 

carb to engine boots. mine are SERIOUSLY dry rotted.

 

No cheap alts to those bad girls...

 

yeah, I already figured that out. I have the parts, just need a good walk through, so i can change them out. I am a novice, but learning quickly.