Anybody out there use a header wrap? If so does it increase engine perf. and how much would you need?

My header is scratched badly anyways so I do not care what it looks like underneath and how do you waterproof it. Length anybody?

header wrap is supposed to super heat the exhaust and therefor allow it to escape faster... it's mainly used in drag racing applications for a small speed advantage and so the heat emanating from the headers don't melt other components close to the headers, but it's also used for cosmetic accents. for what it's worth, i dig it.  

i think you need 80" per foot maybe? don't quote me on that though because i'm kind of pulling that out of my a$$, so check with summit racing or something. btw, it looks better when applied thinly in my opinion.

Along the same lines...

...does anyone have a preference on header wraps? I've heard that some melt, smell, peel, etc.

I'm thinking of doing it on mine in the next few weeks.

Any comments?

Thanks,
Ben

If you're fitting header wrap for a performance boost, what you get will be negligible if anything - in terms of $ per horsepower it's about the last thing to do on an application like the Savage.  
There is theoretical (but so small almost impossible to objectively measure) improvement to be had from keeping the gas hot and fast, but then gas that has cooled a little takes up less volume and therefore doesn't need to go as fast in the back half of the exhaust!

The real advantage of header wrap for race cars is that is reduces underhood temperatures - and that means the engine is breathing cooler air - thats where the measurable power gains comes from.  For obvious reasons just won't apply to the Savage.

On a bike, advantages are the rough 'n' ready 'look' of the wrap and the fact that the pipe won't burn your ankle any more.  Disadvantages are the cost of wrap (it's not cheap for what it is); likely corrosion of the pipe underneath unless you're in a very dry region; occasional smell; and it tends to look bad after a few months.

First tip - if you really want wrap, get the 1-inch wide stuff rather then 2-inch, because it looks way neater when in place on bends.

Second tip - use a little blob of superglue every now and then as you wrap it (it sticks wrap quite well) to stick the fresh layer of wrap to the one it's overlapping, just in case you slip and let go, so it doesn't all unwind on you before you manage to secure the far end.

Main tip - take the money you were going to spend on wrap and stainless clips to secure it, and put that cash towards saving up for a new pipe instead.

The wrap is made of ceramic fibers, so it won't melt.
I originally got a roll cause I was tired of melted shoe laces and holes in my pant legs.  Now I use leather laces and leather legs.
Wrapped pipes don't disintergrate soon after they are wrapped.  IMO they turn blue and corrode more because of the wrap keeping moisture around the pipe when cool.  The header is a dual wall anyway so even if the outer pipe develops a hole, it won't leak.
while there's some theoreticaly improvement, it's like farting to run faster.  

KwakNut wrote on 10/08/08 at 01:03:18:


good idea with the super glue. the sealant spray is supposed to help with that issue too but it's a pain in the a$$ to hold on to the pipe/wrap and spray at the same time.

i have seen a guy tie one end of the wrap to a pole and and start the application at the other end while pulling hard as he wrapped the header good and tight.

i've seen header wrap braided too on a "few fancy pants" bikes... some nice and some kooky.  

Thanks for all the tips! Thought it was going to get pretty heated like an oil debate but it did not. I probably won't due to the moisture issue. I live 3 block from the ocean in Monterey, CA so it can be moist here. Hmm.