Finally finished; wrapped headers
08-23-2009 | 01:42 PM
#1
Thread Starter
996 new guy
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 300
From: Universal city, Texas
Finally finished; wrapped headers
I finally got around to doing this instead of my work... took me about 2hrs and one PITA header bolt took the stud with it on the way out. 
If anyone was wondering... I used the Thermo-Tec 1"x 50' roll of Graphite black with SS lock straps. Used approx 48 to 49 feet of the roll.
I will be using the DEI silicone hi-temp (1500F) sealant spray can once this has dried and the smoke settles a bit.
If anyone was wondering... I used the Thermo-Tec 1"x 50' roll of Graphite black with SS lock straps. Used approx 48 to 49 feet of the roll.
I will be using the DEI silicone hi-temp (1500F) sealant spray can once this has dried and the smoke settles a bit.
08-23-2009 | 01:59 PM
#3
Thread Starter
996 new guy
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 300
From: Universal city, Texas
Thanks! if ya look realllly carefully at the last picture you can see a "tiger striped" area near the header where it was sitting on the concrete soaking all of its wet graphite goodness deep into every available pore, including on my hands.
It was really nasty wet, but even nastier when it started to dry off a bit... its still smoking, and I expect it to for the next few days....
It was really nasty wet, but even nastier when it started to dry off a bit... its still smoking, and I expect it to for the next few days....
08-23-2009 | 02:05 PM
#4
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,455
From: Williamsburg, VA
Yeah, mine smoked for a good bit after words. The paint I used made it smell nice too. Plus it will do it every time you ride in the rain or wash your bike. I always run the bike for several minutes after washing to dry out the wrap and keep the moisture off of the headers and avoid hidden corrosion. I might be paranoid, but better safe than sorry.
08-23-2009 | 02:47 PM
#6
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
The rational behind it being that you trap heat inside the wrap... It acts as a heatshield if going under fairings and such... Other than that it's just cosmetical...
And a highly theoretical effect is to increase/help combustion by trapping that heat... But that will never be proven by any dyno sheets...
And a highly theoretical effect is to increase/help combustion by trapping that heat... But that will never be proven by any dyno sheets...
08-23-2009 | 03:13 PM
#8
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,455
From: Williamsburg, VA
The "pointless" argument can be made for a lot of the things we do. It is mostly cosmetic though. I myself never much liked the burnt, blue header look. I know some who do though, so it's all about what you want. I think the VTR looks bad *** with a set of well done wrapped headers like this.
08-23-2009 | 06:42 PM
#12
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 505
From: Twin Cities
Looks good. I just re-wrapped mine the other day. I managed to drag part of the header on ground and had tear all the old stuff off. Yes, while cornering. I have since made some suspension adjustments. I used some very high temperature ceramic paint both times. It seems to seal it up and harden the whole thing a little too. It was on there for two years and was still in pretty good shape. Except for where the road took a bite out of it.
I too did it for mainly cosmetic reasons. To cover up discoloration. And it should keep the oil, shock and your legs a little cooler. The slight performance gains, if any, were only of little interest.
I too did it for mainly cosmetic reasons. To cover up discoloration. And it should keep the oil, shock and your legs a little cooler. The slight performance gains, if any, were only of little interest.
08-23-2009 | 06:47 PM
#13
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 505
From: Twin Cities
Last edited by mboe794; 08-27-2009 at 09:46 PM.
08-23-2009 | 08:16 PM
#17
Senior Member
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 880
From: Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada
Looking good and well done, it's the easiest way to get rid of the rusty look.
Can't remember the brand I bought, but they are looking about the same, I bought it from Summit.
Can't remember the brand I bought, but they are looking about the same, I bought it from Summit.
08-23-2009 | 08:24 PM
#18
Thread Starter
996 new guy
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 300
From: Universal city, Texas
Bought mine from EPay... $25 shipped, bought 10 SS straps for 8 shipped. So it all ended up being less than buying from PepBoys. I'm very happy with the result, now to finish with the seat cowl to fit my fat-boy seat.
08-26-2009 | 09:08 AM
#20
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 505
From: Twin Cities
Mine smoked for the first few rides along with a little bit of a stink. But after that you can hardly tell any difference. It will make some steam every now and then, usually just after you wash the bike.
08-31-2009 | 04:54 PM
#21
Thread Starter
996 new guy
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 300
From: Universal city, Texas
It only actually smokes a bit when you paint/apply the wrap initially... I have ridden it now for a week straight and even with a bit of moisture I can barely tell I did it as far as steam and smells
08-31-2009 | 07:08 PM
#22
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 181
From: San Antonio, Tx.
Hey there Fire Rescue. Great lookin job on the wrap. Forgot to warn you about the black getting on your hands when wrapping the wet tape. For all the nay sayers, the main purpose of the wrap is to insulate the header from the engine, oil pan, & rear shock. The added benifit is hotter internal exhaust gases which burn better. Caution if using carbon cans, the extra heat could warp some.
08-31-2009 | 10:27 PM
#23
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
hell, I always thought it was the opposite:that is, the main purpose was to keep the exhaust hotter to scavenge gases faster thus improving combustion and hence performance; and a positive side effect was to reduce heat in the engine area.
09-01-2009 | 01:03 AM
#24
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,053
From: NYC
A very experience tuner buddy of mine (after seeing my wrapped headers) told me it increases combustion chamber temps & therefore the engine temp. I first put it on thinking it would help the oil filter stay cooler & thus the motor. These things really run hot in summer & traffic. It spooked me so I took it off.
09-01-2009 | 02:15 PM
#25
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 30
From: SF Bay Area
09-01-2009 | 02:19 PM
#26
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
09-01-2009 | 02:38 PM
#27
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 30
From: SF Bay Area
The theory is sound I don't think that's in doubt. Can it be quantified is another question altogether. I seriously doubt the "seat of the pants" dyno will detect it. Many a bike with K&N filters are jetted poorly and run slower than stock. A small loss at the top end and a big loss in the midrange feels like a good gain "seat of the pants".
09-01-2009 | 03:24 PM
#29
Duc Hawk
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 691
From: Malibu's canyons
I wrapped the headers on my kid's XR80 to keep the heat off his leg in a bail-out. I needed to do something since he melted his pants on the open header of the aftermarket exhaust on the XR once. The wrap keeps the temps low enough not to burn him anymore. Don't know about any performance gains though.
09-01-2009 | 08:34 PM
#30
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
This company maybe can offer proof of the efficacy of heat wrap in terms of HP gain. How about dyno before and after wrap install? I nominate Tweety.
http://www.heatshieldproducts.com/lava_wrap.php
http://www.heatshieldproducts.com/lava_wrap.php
