Heat Wrap

[pipelinetrash89]

Ok guys, I've been compiling a bunch of parts for my truck and they all showed up today :thumbsup: I've got a new down pipe and crossover with an ATT and was curious if you guys would heat wrap the DP and crossover before the install? I think I read somewhere that the heat wrap helps spools the turbo some?

 

[Turbine Doc]

I did the heat wrap on X-over and did not notice any difference, IMO for X-overs best improvement is mandrel bent one vs OEM "crinkle bent", also even though I applied multiple coats of high temp paint on the wrap to "seal it" water still got in there and allowed it to rot, and I did not see that the x-over was rotten until performance really got bad and I found the elbow under the wrap had a gaping leak in it.

My current aluminized X over been there 5 years vs the 3 it took to rot out the one I wrapped.

I have a theory may hold merit or not, that wrapping also allows for odd cooling of the x over and in areas like mine with high humidity condensation happens inside the tube and works with the hydrocarbons in the pipe and becomes an acid formulation and rots the tube from the inside vs outside corrosion.

Anyway that is my story I'm sticking to it, I don't recommend header wrap, for the turbo itself that is another story yes wrap it some benefit to the heat energy, but IMO main benefit is reduction of underhood heat radiating from the heavy cast of the turbo housing acting like a heat sink.

 

[pipelinetrash89]

I'm not sure where I heard that it helped with the spooling, but I'm not going to wrap it if it helps with rotting. I live in Oklahoma now, but I spent ALL last year in Ohio and West By God Virginia in the salt belt. I spent a lot getting all the exhaust stainless, and don't want to hold the salt close.

 

[Turbine Doc]

Might have been slight improvement but IMO not worth it vs downside of rot or being unable to see and developing issues, x over is only for getting exhaust left to right side of the engine/turbo collection manifold

 

[JayTheCPA]

Just a thought: Am about to start another project and going the ceramic route (manifolds, up pipes, and down pipe); only going to blanket the turbo though.

From the ‘armchair mechanic’ perspective, TD’s observations about moisture (and other air borne goodies) penetrating the wrap are the reasons I am going with ceramic (well, minus the acid theory anyway :hihi: ).

 

[matuva]

G'day Tim,

any rot problem if I wrap the headers?

Where did the X-over and downpipe rot? At the bottom, let's say the "coldest part", or closest to the road, or randomly all along the pipe?

 

[Turbine Doc]

In the elbow at start of run driver to passenger side "low point" driver side

You talking about aftermarket headers or the original cast ones? if cast probably not an issue,

 

[WarWagon]

Header wrap is hard to keep on the crossover. It needs 3 wire ties on the bottom at least and be painted with the special header paint. Even then small furry things like Coyotes and other road debris tend to knock it off. I wrapped the manifolds and down pipe to keep underhood temps down. Specifically to quit melting things on the fenders. Wrap the downpipe past the front corner floorpan bend in the cab.

It helps with turbo spool and MPG as the exhaust can't cool off in the pipe. Not sure if it is measurable.

Less heat under the hood IS noticeable with a turbo blanket and all the exhaust wrapped.

 

[matuva]

Yep, the original cast ones. I'm willing to spray paint the headers with high temp paint, and then wrap them

and yes, with just a turbo blanket, I can easely see a difference

 

[WarWagon]

Yep, the original cast ones. I'm willing to spray paint the headers with high temp paint, and then wrap them

and yes, with just a turbo blanket, I can easely see a difference

The trick here is to paint the header wrap after you wrap the part. This seals the wrap itself and hardens it some like a cast. This way it doesn't fray, unwrap, or move. Paint under the wrap can't hurt and may stop rust....

 

[matuva]

Will do. Thanks for the tip

 

[dangerousdave]

Try to make a skid plate to protect the x-over from rocks and animals.
I've saved several pieces/parts from bad damage this way over the years.
It's not rocket science.

:hihi:
:thumbsup: