Hi all,
To help avoid concerns about header wrap soaking up oil, fuel, etc., it can easily be sprayed with a special, high temp paint after the wrap is installed. AFAIK, the paint is available in silver, black and white. A couple coats forms a pretty good seal on the warp.
Yes, on mild steel headers, the life of the system will be shortened by more rapid deteroration caused by higher temperatures. Ceramic coating might be a better choice. Wrapping is fine on stainless steel headers/exhaust.
Note that wrapping *or* ceramic coating will usually void any warranty on new headers.
Reducing temperatures under the hood and protecting things like the starter, fuel lines, carbs, alternator/generator, brake lines, etc. from radiant heat are one goal of warpping or ceramic coating. But another important result is an increase in the speed of the gases moving through the exhaust system, to better scavange the engine. Just keeping the heat trapped in the system will help do this. Ceramic coating also is useful when reahapping used headers, will give a smoother inner surface to help gas flow.
In my opinion, ceramic coating looks great and sort of "high tech". Wrapping is also great looking, maybe a bit more "old school" in appearance.
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