11 replies to this topic

[Burnard]

Hi,

What is the purpouse of exhaust wrapping tape? Link

Is it just to help keep the engine bay cooler, or does it have any other effects?

I have read that it can increase performance, which would be nice, but can also cause the manifold to crack, but im not sure if this is true or not.


Thanks


Chris

[Llewellyn]

Yeah, keeps the engine bay cooler, and therefore means the whole engine can stay within optimum temperature.

Unless you are suffering from vapour locks, or other heat related issues, it probably not worth doing to be honest.

Edited by Llewellyn, 30 December 2009 - 02:13 AM.

[dklawson]

Sorry for the pun but... "Header wrap is a subject of heated debate".

There are numerous reports of wrap causing premature failures of tubular headers and pipes. Some people on this forum will also tell you that it simply moves the "hot point" back further... typically resulting in a hotter cabin floor.

That said, I have it applied over my -S's original stamped header. I had already patched it and knew it wasn't sound enough to invest in ceramic coating. Wrapping in my case was an experiment to see if I could get the under-bonnet temperatures lower... which it did. So far my header has not failed but then again, I only use my Mini on weekends so I don't have a lot of hours or miles on it to judge how much if any it has shortened the life of my patched exhaust.

[Bungle]

i cracked a wrapped LCB manifold, after i removed the manifold for replacement i also found it was warped and distorted quite badly

[Burnard]

Was that a cheap manifold though bungle, or was it a maniflow /RC40?

Im not that worried about the hot point, unless it decides to set fire to something under the floor , im more interested in the claims that it can increase the performance, Which i dont understand, because its only a bit of tape.

Could the damage be caused by the tape being rapped on too tightly so that when the exhaust expands from the heat, the tape isnt expanding with it, and effectivly crushing it or even the tape shrinking with the heat, or just over time and doing the same thing?

[Paul Wiginton]

Its to keep induction air cooler and keep exhaust gasses hotter. When the exhaust gas is hot it travels faster evacuating the cylinder quicker.
I gained a few hp from using it but lots of people dont get on with it due tp it degrading the manifolds. Personally for a few extra hp I dont mind buying a new LCB every few years.

Paul

[[email protected]]

For the record, Maniflow will not warranty any manifold that has been exhaust wrap

[dklawson]

For the record, Maniflow will not warranty any manifold that has been exhaust wrap

Do you happen to know their feelings regarding ceramic coating?

[Burnard]

Its to keep induction air cooler and keep exhaust gasses hotter. When the exhaust gas is hot it travels faster evacuating the cylinder quicker.
I gained a few hp from using it but lots of people dont get on with it due tp it degrading the manifolds. Personally for a few extra hp I dont mind buying a new LCB every few years.

Paul

How long have you been useing it for, and have you had any problems with it?

[Paul Wiginton]

Ive had it on my Maniflow for 6 years. It did warp the centre branch once so much that it hit the hardy spicer, but, that was when I hadnt realised the bracket that braces it to the gearbox had broken. Other than that no problems but in those 6 years its only done about 6,000 miles

Paul

EDIT, bare in mind that my centre branch glows red hot after a good thrashing without heat wrap, so its not surprising it warped to be honest. I fitted the heat wrap initially to keep that glowing heat away from thw carb.

Edited by Paul Wiginton, 30 December 2009 - 12:45 PM.

[minisandpirate]

Ive had it on my Maniflow for 6 years. It did warp the centre branch once so much that it hit the hardy spicer, but, that was when I hadnt realised the bracket that braces it to the gearbox had broken. Other than that no problems but in those 6 years its only done about 6,000 miles

Paul

EDIT, bare in mind that my centre branch glows red hot after a good thrashing without heat wrap, so its not surprising it warped to be honest. I fitted the heat wrap initially to keep that glowing heat away from thw carb.

The problem with the header wrap that ive seen is that the steel ones are greatly affected by it but stainless exhaust systems seem to take well to it....i had a civic which i wrapped a stainless 4-1 and most of the exhaust in a wrap and it lasted for many yrs with no warping or breakage....i guess it comes down to the material and build quality....instead of a wrap how bout a thermal insulator like what they have in the exhaust tunnel on the BMW MINI's and a heat shield

[Bungle]

Was that a cheap manifold though bungle, or was it a maniflow /RC40?

a maniflow LCB