Header wrap questions

[rudgers73]

I bought some header wrap products to put on this week. Before I start, I have a couple of questions that you guys might be able to answer for me.

1. I have wrap and high temp spray paint. What is the best order of operations? Spray and wrap? Wrap and spray? Spray, wrap, and spray again??

2. The roll of wrap I bought is 1" by 50'. Is that enough for my borla header, or should I get another roll?

3. Is it best to start wrapping from the head or from the cat side?

4. Are SS hose clamps the best bet for securing the ends?

5. Is there anything I need to be careful NOT to do?

Thanks buddies...

[Reason]

2" wide would have been better, you will use more wrap now. I didn't spray my header at all and it's fine. The hose clamps are best IMO.

[rudgers73]

Thanks for the info. Hey, do they use salt on your roads in the winter? The salt the shit out of these roads in NY so I am definitely going to spray it up, just looking for some perspective though.

[phi11]

1. Wrap and spray

3. cat to head

6. profit?

[rudgers73]

1. Wrap and spray

3. cat to head

6. profit?

Should I hire gnomes to do it for me?

[Reason]

Yes they salt the sit out of the roads here.

[rougeben83]

wet the wrap to get a tighter wrap when it dries. Also expect a mad fog show for about an hour when you first turn it on.

Also, get some thick rubber gloves (like for washing pans), the fibers on the header wrap are extremely itchy when you handle them.

[Navi271]

gnomes are small and can quickly get the heat wrap around the headers in no time.. sadly i didn't have time to hire any... lol
I didn't spray mine either. Doing ok so far but this winter will really test it out.
I used like 65' of wrap so another roll may be needed

[anothernord]

50 feet of 2" wrap is what I used.

[Reason]

50 feet of 2" wrap is what I used.

Sam here and I have some left over.

[99gtlimited]

1. Wrap and spray

3. cat to head

6. profit?


I would suggest spraying, then wrapping, then spraying again.

I started from the head towards the cat, this way the primaries are wrapped first and you can cover the collectors better.

[Reason]

If you have stainless steel headers there really no need to spray first. I'll take pics of my non sprayed header when I swap headers this summer.

[goodnight1985]

I suggest you leave the wrap off entirely. I will not help your header in any way and simply make it easier to corrode. If you are having issues with the heat of your header, try a ceramic coating like Jet Hot.

[legacygt420]

is wrapping it really worth it?? i have thought about it many of times myself bt am not sure. some people say it will crack them or hold in moisture but i dont see how

[Reason]

Wrapping your stock headers made from cast iron or just mild steel WILL rust and corrode. Wrapping stainless steel headers is different. Theres a few of us on here with wrapped headers and I haven't seen anyone complain yet. Plus I'm the jerk with just wrap on mine and no coating and my header is fine. I wrapped mine in fall I believe. No cracks, no rust no problems.

[Huffer]

Most "stainless" steel headers, especially the knockoffs aren't true stainless steel - any metalworker will be able to tell you there are varying grades of steel. Some grades, depending on metal content, will form small amounts of rust.

http://www.machinist-materials.com/stainless_table.htm

Why do you think the ebay headers are $150? Because they use economies of scale. :)

Wrap it if you want, don't if you don't. Plenty of us do, plenty of us don't. It depends on how much time and expense you want to put into something like that. For me, it wasn't worth it, but for others, they will always do it.

GL!

[Reason]

Most "stainless" steel headers, especially the knockoffs aren't true stainless steel - any metalworker will be able to tell you there are varying grades of steel.

Hello. I'm an Ironworker :smt006 (98% of the work I do is with steel) Depending on whats in the steel yes some will rust faster than others. BUT just because the surface rust doesn't mean it will rot through. Some steel will rust the surface and that scale will be it's protective coating. Not saying the crap on eBay is this. Those eBay headers are 304 stainless and will outlast t your car even if wrapped.

People who wrap a mild steel header and unprotected will cry foul in maybe a year or less depending the conditions of the weather in your area. We can debate and say do it or don't do it, but you won't truly understand whats going on until you do it yourself.

[Huffer]

I knew you'd chime back in Mr Bridge Builder. :P

I just felt that there were a lot of people saying to wrap, and not as many saying there's no need. Just presenting a balanced argument from my POV. ;) :P

[hellaGT]

Most "stainless" steel headers, especially the knockoffs aren't true stainless steel - any metalworker will be able to tell you there are varying grades of steel. Some grades, depending on metal content, will form small amounts of rust.

http://www.machinist-materials.com/stainless_table.htm

Why do you think the ebay headers are $150? Because they use economies of scale. :)

Wrap it if you want, don't if you don't. Plenty of us do, plenty of us don't. It depends on how much time and expense you want to put into something like that. For me, it wasn't worth it, but for others, they will always do it.

GL!

What about valve chatter noise more prominent from the thinner walled knock off headers? Wrapping should quiet that noise you don't want right?

[Matty2Hotty]

Correct, The noise will be 99% gone or so called the sowing machine/leak sound, that is what I herd from many guys. I only herd of 1 guy ever having a crack joint from the replicas as of today. I would coat, wrap and coat myself. Like many say... Everyone does it different.

[Reason]

For the cost of wrap, the time it takes to wrap them and the end results, it's worth it all day.

[ouch1011]

So most people have had good results with header wrap reducing the "sewing machine" type sound? I love my header, and it is SS so I don't think it will rust any time soon (only needs to last a couple years) but the noise from the header is driving me insane.

[99gtlimited]

well wrap it then! it really does make a difference. well worth the time and money.

[httrdd]

I am definately going to wrap mine when it gets warmer out! I have that sound and since the windows are up you cannot really hear it, but when the weather gets nicer and my windows down it will drive me crazy!

[Lone_legacy]

What is this "sewing machine" sound? Anyone with clips?

[Black_Adder]

Just ordered the speedy racer headers, 50' of 2" header wrap and some DEI high temp silicone spray from eBay, and I have a couple of questions regarding the process to wrap the headers properly.

From what I've been reading, I'll have to soak the header wrap in water to make installation easier and have a tighter wrap when it dries. Since I am going to be spraying the silicone spray onto the wrap, will I need to "break-in" the header wrap first for a day or two to remove any leftover moisture? Or would it be fine to just let the header wrap dry overnight and then spray them the next day, install and forget about it?

Maybe I'm over thinking this, but I just want to be sure I do it properly!

Thanks.

[d1giPhux]

^ next time your at the bank pull up atm.. listen to your car. You will hear the 'sewing machine sound'. It probably only gets louder with the install of headers. I hear it on most subarus in general.

[Black_Adder]

Anyone who's wrapped their headers before have an answer to my question above? I should be getting the stuff today.

Thanks!

[Reason]

If you have a SS header I wouldnt bother spraying it.

[Black_Adder]

I already ordered the spray, I figured it couldn't hurt, and just give a little extra protection from stuff soaking in to it.

I'll still want to spray it, I mean how much extra effort does it take?

[d1giPhux]

I wrapped mine with 2" header wrap, crushed road salt, and water. How long should the pipes last me? :lol:

[1-3-2-4]

^ next time your at the bank pull up atm.. listen to your car. You will hear the 'sewing machine sound'. It probably only gets louder with the install of headers. I hear it on most subarus in general.


I'm still waiting to hear this sound on my non wrapped headers I would give a sound clip but other areas of my exhaust are missing bolts so it rattles in some spots.

[Matty2Hotty]

I tell you I had replica and real borla, the real deal is perfect fitment and sound is way better from my experience. The non wrapped does have a different sound.

[jjay03]

I got the speedy racer header I hope it fits good I havnt bolted it up yet but I do have the stock exhaust off. I am going to order some wrap but I want to test fit the header first.