| Author |
Message |
    
Norm
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 03:33 am: | 
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Has anybody used Thermo-Tec Exhaust Insualting Wrap or a similar product? I recently picked up (but haven't installed) some of this stuff to wrap around my exhaust manifolds and maybe all the way down the Y-pipe to the cats.
I bought this stuff mainly because it gets so friggin' hot under the hood, especially during 90-degree plus weather. I get so tired of getting roasted every time I check the oil in the summer.
According to the propaganda on the box, not only is this stuff supposed to reduce the temperature under the hood by 70%, it's also supposed to boost horsepower by keeping the exhaust gases hot, thus maintaining the velocity of the exhaust flow, blah blah blah...
Has anybody had any luck with this stuff? Does it have any positive or negative effect on the cats (especially the "free flow" type cats)?
Thanks,
Norm |
Ron
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 03:43 am: |
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Sounds like a bad idea
Ron |
Don Collins (Donc)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 08:02 am: |
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Ron been there done that and replaced 2 headers on my MG after using the wrap. I would say no esp. on a rover where it has more of a possibility to get wet there while off roading.
Don |
David Dryden (David914)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 08:33 am: |
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You want your headers to radiate heat, not keep it in. Notice that most race car headers are painted black. That's to help radiate heat off of the exhaust. The only reason to use a heat wrap around the exhaust is to prevent the heat from damaging other nearby components. I wouldn't do it unless you're trying to keep heat away from something else.
David |
PerroneFord
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 08:44 am: |
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Norm,
There are any number of reasons why racers tape headers. However it's pretty old technology. Yes it helps keep heat in the header (which increases power not reduces it) and it lowers underhood temps, and it even looks better than rusty headers. The big problem is that tends to loosen welds.
If you spend much time looking at the high-buck racing teams' headers you'll note that where rules allow, they are all ceramic coated. Same idea, works better, no weld problems, and no issues with it getting wet as Don pointed out.
Jet Hot is one primary source of this kind of work. I think you can get this kind of thing done for a couple hundred bucks.
Good luck,
-P |
Erik G. Burrows (Erik)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 12:58 pm: |
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What is the risk of using the tape and getting it
wet? Does it keep the water next to the header longer, increasing risk of cracking?
I've been in the desert in 114 degree weather, and could not touch the hood it was so hot. I've got to think keeping that down would help inumerous
components in there. |
PerroneFord
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 01:24 pm: |
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It's a bit like getting carpet wet and leaving it lying on a metal surface. Not to mention that stickback tape won't like water too much. You don't want that nice wrapping job to come loose in the engine bay.
As for removing heat under the hood, its always a good idea. Perhaps ventilating the hood would help. That's what Overfinch did when using the aluminum 5.7l under the RR hood. It also appears to work for the 2003 RR.
-P |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 01:24 pm: |
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Headers and manifolds (and the rest of the exhaust system) are prone to rust. The purpose of black pain on older race cars was to help keep them from rusting, as the only paints of the time capable of resisting the exhaust's heat were black. Ceramic coatings do a better job. Tape will keep moisture in contact with the heads, promoting rust.
FWIW....
-L |
Erik G. Burrows (Erik)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 07:30 pm: |
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Norm, once you get this stuff installed, I'd like to hear the result. Power, and engine compartment temp. |
Moe (Moe)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 08:19 pm: |
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Holger in Aus put Renault air vents in his hood. It sounds like a more sensible way to go than that tape which somehow cools the engine at the same time keeing the exhaust gases hot. Sounds a bit fishy 
Holger's Vents |
Dee Cantrell (Disco_Dad)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 09:03 pm: |
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I have used this place before, It will cool the headers and down pipes and it will dent your wallet..
http://www.jet-hot.com/ |
Norm
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 11:37 pm: |
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Thanks to all for the info!!!
If I can get this jet hot website to work for me and I can afford it, I may give it a try. In the mean time, I'm off to the Army/Navy store for a surplus fire suit so I can check my oil this summer.
---Norm |
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