Header wrap January 08, 2013, 09:07:50 AM I just picked up some used BBK shortys and while they're still somewhat shiny, they're too rusty looking for me. Nobody around here does ceramic coating, I don't want to do it myself and leaving them the way they are is off the table. That brings me to header wrap. Has anybody done this with shortys? What product should I use? Installation tips? Quote Selected
Header wrap Reply #1 – January 08, 2013, 02:05:14 PM Ship them and have them coated. I have seen headers rust out under header tape.Darren Quote Selected
Header wrap Reply #2 – January 08, 2013, 03:56:30 PM And it holds in the heat and they will want to crack and do bad things Vht makes a good ceramic header paint Quote Selected
Header wrap Reply #3 – January 08, 2013, 04:50:07 PM I've been keeping VHT as a last resort. And strictly speaking, you WANT to keep the heat in the pipes til it gets to the bumper. My BBKs are stainless, so I'm not concerned with large amounts of rust. I'm just not liking the idea of shipping them off, it sounds expensive. Quote Selected
Header wrap Reply #4 – January 08, 2013, 06:55:48 PM We always wrap headers or should i say exhaust manifolds with a turbo. heat is the answer!!!! But the wrap will rot a header out faster than a hungry dog to a chow line! This is what we keep in for turbo cars :flame: Quote Selected
Header wrap Reply #5 – January 08, 2013, 07:24:20 PM Some sort of coating, then i guess. Quote Selected
Header wrap Reply #7 – January 08, 2013, 07:38:29 PM Yes, headers and turbo manifolds last longer unwrapped, but its not worth the extra heat they put in the engine bay. I would rather replace the headers every 4 years than heat soak every other componant in the engine bay. I have every inch of my manifolds wrapped and my turbo blanketed. Its amazing how much cooler the engine bay stays. Its better for maintaining exhaust velocity too. Quote Selected
Header wrap Reply #8 – January 08, 2013, 11:04:41 PM The cost of shipping them is relative but its not cheap coating the headers either. If the headers are stainless then I would say wrap them as they will stand up to it longer. I have the entire exhaust coated on my '83 and it was not too bad cost wise and it looks awesome.Darren Quote Selected
Header wrap Reply #9 – January 09, 2013, 12:50:45 AM Not to mention cooking the starters gets old in hurry, I went through 3 starters in no time when I had my first 347 with long tube headers. Do the wrap, screw the coating and paint. Heat wrapped headers will also help protect wiring and vacuum lines, I don't how many stupid wires, hoses and plug wires I melted on the stupid turbo manifold. Quote Selected