Author Topic: Header tape (Read 4337 times)

Vladi · « **on:** August 12, 2007, 04:17:06 PM »

Has anyone used header tape? I'm hitting the shops tomorrow to get some prices.

Wise Old Dog · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2007, 06:11:54 PM »

I used header wrap on mine. Summit sells it, and several e-bay vendors sell it. 2" wide. I bought the black, but it turned a tan color with use. Best way to install it is with the header out of the car. Otherwise, it will be tough getting all the areas covered. I used copper wire out of #12 house wire to tie it up tight. They sell the little stainless ties also, but they are just OK. Wire worked good. Does a great job of keeping the engine bay cooler. It also is supposed to help the engine scavenge more power by keeping the exhaust system hot further downstream. Who knows?

asubimmer · « **Reply #2 on:** August 12, 2007, 06:23:37 PM »

Be very carefull w/ that stuff. It holds moisture and can rust your exhaust pretty dang fast.

Wise Old Dog · « **Reply #3 on:** August 12, 2007, 10:56:49 PM »

I thought our headers were stainless steel. I'll have to take a peek underneath next time I get it on the lift.

tjts1 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 12, 2007, 11:12:49 PM »

Most wrapped headers eventually crack. Just make sure you have the $$$ to replace it if need be.

turbo_negro69 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 12, 2007, 11:18:42 PM »

Quote from: tjts1;31513

Most wrapped headers eventually crack. Just make sure you have the $$$ to replace it if need be.

This is true, and that's why most companies that sell headers will NOT warranty the headers if they have been wrapped.

jpod999 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2007, 12:22:48 AM »

Quote from: Wise Old Dog;31510

I thought our headers were stainless steel. I'll have to take a peek underneath next time I get it on the lift.

Stainless still rusts.

BrandC · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2007, 06:16:45 PM »

Spray VHT high-temp ceramic coating on the headers while they are out of the car. Then you can "safely" wrap it without worrying as much about moisture getting trapped. At least that's what I did.

I recommend the wraps if you do beat on the car, seeing as how M42's run a bit hotter without oil coolers. Keeps as much heat going the right direction as possible.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 13, 2007, 06:46:54 PM »

Jet Hot quoted me at $160 a few years ago for the M42 header. With all the time, trouble, and $ involved in painting & wrapping (not to mention the risk of cracks), I would say look into that.

Personally, I have heard that Jet Hot is not all that great. Swaintech is supposed to be the shiznit as far as coatings now.

Shocker · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2007, 10:44:48 PM »

I warped my header on my 318 and didn’t notice any difference in under hood temps at all. So I think there kind pointless and my cars even S/C’ed. Now I can see if it was turbo’ed = a lot more heat in the exhaust.

Vladi · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2007, 03:10:33 AM »

Maybe it depends what tape you have. I bought Thermo-Tec. http://cgi.ebay.com/Exhaust-Header-Extractor-Insulating-Tape-11001-NEW_W0QQitemZ120149647628QQihZ002QQcategoryZ43808QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Now all i have to do i make the time to take the headers oot.

christophbmw · « **Reply #11 on:** August 14, 2007, 07:30:17 PM »

ido not recomend wrapping our headers....they are (although i have never seen it) prone to cracks when they get to hot, the tape will just make them hotter.

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2007, 12:25:36 AM »

get a spare off of e-bay or at a junkyard, you can pick them up for about $20. and another thing about header wrap is that it looks good.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2007, 12:28:26 AM »

The issue is not so much them getting hot as them getting hot un-uniformly. As long as the whole part gets heated equally, it will expand equally. If there are hot-spots (which wraps are well known for creating), then uneven expansion occurs, and you get cracks. I would imagine that the V-welds are always going to be a bit cooler since it is impossible to wrap them as well as the longer sections of tubing, so cracks sound plausible.

Vladi · « **Reply #14 on:** August 15, 2007, 03:13:37 AM »

They may crack but it also depends what you do with the car, if it's a track car, yes but if it's the weekend car (my case) in which you run around a bit, i don't think the headers will be too stressed out. My 2(two) cents.