I've got uncoated headers and I'm wondering if I'm going to run into a heat problem. I really don't want to spend more money on coating than I spent on the headers, and the shiny look is not important to me. How well does header wrap work? Why do I hear that it destroys the headers? How soon does it destroy the headers on a street car? Is there any header paint that will actually hold up?

 

Aaron,

You will probably have heat problems with the ignition wires, starter, and possibly the other wiring and hoses in the engine compartment. Even if you don't have a heating problem, retaining the heat in the exhaust gasses will heat the O2 sensor faster and better for a more accurate signal and fuel control.

The heat wraps can damage plain steel headers by retaining moisture in humid areas such as Florida. The moisture will evaporate on startup, but collect on the dry fiber when the engine cools.

The best paint for headers is a baked ceramic, which is why most people use it for header coating. Even nickel and chromium electroplating will tarnish and may peel from headers, so the paint seems to be the best answer.

------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

The ceramic paint is Jet Hot? Or, is their a DIY version?