Opinions on wrapping headers?
#1
Opinions on wrapping headers?
Okay guys, I really didn't think this belonged in the General Max Discussion, and I didn't know where else to go with it. Anyway...
I picked up a set of used OBX V2's, and was planning on wrapping them in order to keep some heat out of the engine bay as well as to protect some of the wiring, etc.
However, after reading around online, I've heard really mixed reviews on the stuff. Some of the bad things I've heard are that it speeds up corrosion by retaining moisture (I figure a DD would resolve this pretty easily as it would dry out the wrap every time I drive, but maybe I've been mislead), as well as the potential fire hazard as it absorbs oil. Although I've also heard that some peoples' headers have lasted 5+ years wrapped up with little to no problems.
I was planning on wrapping, and then high-temp silicone spraying the wrap for added protection. I'm only going to wrap as far as the collector...no need to go further on a street car, at least IMO. Obviously, with the 3.5, you really don't see the headers as much as you do on some other cars, so looks weren't really part of my interest.
I'm really not in a position where I can afford or wait on shipping to and back of headers for ceramic coating...
So what's everyone's take?
I picked up a set of used OBX V2's, and was planning on wrapping them in order to keep some heat out of the engine bay as well as to protect some of the wiring, etc.
However, after reading around online, I've heard really mixed reviews on the stuff. Some of the bad things I've heard are that it speeds up corrosion by retaining moisture (I figure a DD would resolve this pretty easily as it would dry out the wrap every time I drive, but maybe I've been mislead), as well as the potential fire hazard as it absorbs oil. Although I've also heard that some peoples' headers have lasted 5+ years wrapped up with little to no problems.
I was planning on wrapping, and then high-temp silicone spraying the wrap for added protection. I'm only going to wrap as far as the collector...no need to go further on a street car, at least IMO. Obviously, with the 3.5, you really don't see the headers as much as you do on some other cars, so looks weren't really part of my interest.
I'm really not in a position where I can afford or wait on shipping to and back of headers for ceramic coating...
So what's everyone's take?
#2
I was gonna wrap mine...
...but then they arrived and I just put em on![wall](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/peepwall.gif)
in theory it makes sense but as far as actual performance gains, well if you're EGTs aren't that high in the first place I'm not sure why you'd bother
...but then they arrived and I just put em on
![wall](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/peepwall.gif)
in theory it makes sense but as far as actual performance gains, well if you're EGTs aren't that high in the first place I'm not sure why you'd bother
![got me](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/ne_nau.gif)
#3
Have you had any issues, or has everything been pretty good so far?
#4
Everything's fine, as long as the O2 sensor harnesses stay in their factory positions, and I ziptied the O2 sensor signal wires (which are very well insulated by the way) away from the exhaust. Haven't had an issue (knock on wood)
#5
Good deal. Well, let's see what everyone else has to say. I may end up putting the $55 toward something more worthwhile if I can maybe fab up some heat shields or something instead...
Have you gotten your coilovers yet?
Have you gotten your coilovers yet?
![wall](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/peepwall.gif)
#10
And as far as ceramic coating goes, you're not missing much unless you go with a true ceramic-based formula like Swain Tech's.
If you're doing it to protect wiring and such, I don't think it will be necessary. But it will definitely improve performance by some amount (hotter exhaust = higher velocity). How much is another story..
If you're doing it to protect wiring and such, I don't think it will be necessary. But it will definitely improve performance by some amount (hotter exhaust = higher velocity). How much is another story..
#11
And as far as ceramic coating goes, you're not missing much unless you go with a true ceramic-based formula like Swain Tech's.
If you're doing it to protect wiring and such, I don't think it will be necessary. But it will definitely improve performance by some amount (hotter exhaust = higher velocity). How much is another story..
If you're doing it to protect wiring and such, I don't think it will be necessary. But it will definitely improve performance by some amount (hotter exhaust = higher velocity). How much is another story..
Well, if it cools the engine bay a bit, and therefore the intake air temp, that'll always help, too, I suppose. I'm planning on wrapping my intake in thermal wrap as well, and fabbing up a heat shield for the filter...so we'll see how things go.
Once I get a few more bolt-ons and a tune, we'll see what happens. Every little bit helps, I suppose.
#14
I had my headers on my Maxima wrapped. Never had a problem at all. Had cooler temps under the hood, and it kept the hot air all the way back to my rear-mounted turbo (my exhaust was wrapped from the headers all the way back to the rear muffler area where the turbo was).
I then put headers on my Camaro SS when I changed the motor... and I regretted having not wrapped them, because wow it was hot as hell in that crammed engine bay every time I popped the hood. I now drive an E46 and I put wrap on the headers. Best decision ever. Engine bay is noticeably cooler than before.
I always recommend to wrap headers. DEPENDING on how you install the wrap, and the kind of metal the tube is made of, it may cause the pipe to corrode. Some people just buy headers, wrap them, and install them... WRONG! CLEAN the surface with brake parts cleaner and a shop towel; spray DEI silicone paint on the tubing to be covered by the wrap (this will act as a barrier in case moisture gets passed the wrap so it doesnt linger there on bare metal to rust it out); NOW wrap the tubing; after wrapping, go downtown with the DEI paint on the wrap itself (SOAK the paint into the fabric, this will act as an outer barrier to repel moisture for the most part from soaking the wrap and entering down to the metal). There you go.
Enjoy!
I then put headers on my Camaro SS when I changed the motor... and I regretted having not wrapped them, because wow it was hot as hell in that crammed engine bay every time I popped the hood. I now drive an E46 and I put wrap on the headers. Best decision ever. Engine bay is noticeably cooler than before.
I always recommend to wrap headers. DEPENDING on how you install the wrap, and the kind of metal the tube is made of, it may cause the pipe to corrode. Some people just buy headers, wrap them, and install them... WRONG! CLEAN the surface with brake parts cleaner and a shop towel; spray DEI silicone paint on the tubing to be covered by the wrap (this will act as a barrier in case moisture gets passed the wrap so it doesnt linger there on bare metal to rust it out); NOW wrap the tubing; after wrapping, go downtown with the DEI paint on the wrap itself (SOAK the paint into the fabric, this will act as an outer barrier to repel moisture for the most part from soaking the wrap and entering down to the metal). There you go.
Enjoy!
#16
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I've also seen reports of people getting reduced rasp/drone after wrapping on the 350Z forums. I'm not sure if it's true, could just be placebo effect.
Either way, it seems worth doing if you're trying to get every little bit out of your headers.
Either way, it seems worth doing if you're trying to get every little bit out of your headers.
#17
Thanks for the input. ![Big Grin](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I've already got the headers put on, but I'll be pulling them off in the spring to see if I can figure out where the leak I can hear is. I'll probably look into wrapping them up during the time they're off.
It's been cold here, so I haven't noticed a considerable change in engine bay heat, and I know SS likes to shed heat fairly quick. But I'm sure it's going to be horrible in my engine bay come the 80-95 degree Nashville summers.
I'm thinking I'll wrap a little past the flex section considering it seems OBX likes to use pretty flimsy flex tubing.
Anyone got a good place to order it? Autozone and local performance shops want about $55 for a 50' roll.
![Big Grin](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I've already got the headers put on, but I'll be pulling them off in the spring to see if I can figure out where the leak I can hear is. I'll probably look into wrapping them up during the time they're off.
It's been cold here, so I haven't noticed a considerable change in engine bay heat, and I know SS likes to shed heat fairly quick. But I'm sure it's going to be horrible in my engine bay come the 80-95 degree Nashville summers.
I'm thinking I'll wrap a little past the flex section considering it seems OBX likes to use pretty flimsy flex tubing.
Anyone got a good place to order it? Autozone and local performance shops want about $55 for a 50' roll.
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REDinLV
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
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10-18-2015 05:31 AM