Exhaust wrap bandage

[tedj]

Hi chaps

I am in the process of trying to reduce the temp in engine bay. I have ordered Waterweter and was wondering if using bandages on the exhausts will help reduce the temp in the engine bay? I shall be also fixing the bonnet heat shield so I hope this helps as well.

Thanks in advance

[David H]

Here's a few previous comments, there are many more:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=267816&f=8&h=0&hw

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=79688&f=66&h=0&hw

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=104280&f=9&h=0&hw

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=114213&f=8&h=0&hw

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=169864&f=8&h=0&hw

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=219972&f=9&h=0&hw

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=237292&f=9&h=0&hw

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=299253&f=66&h=0&hw

[bluebottle]

It does keep the temp down around the top end of the engine. But in reality all it does really is transfer that heat into the Y section so that gets hotter instead. If you wrap that, then all that heat will be along the underside of the engine and floor which means the cabin gets hotter and so does the starter motor and they are already susseptable to heat failure.
No idea if it was related or not, but i wrapped my manifolds and they both cracked 6 months later.

[ruaricoles]

Wrapping the exhaust will certainly reduce temps, but it's usually said that ceramic coating is a far better (if admittedly more expensive) option. The wrap can trap moisture and accelerate corrosion, unless it's a full stainless system of course, and if you leave any gaps in the wrapping (easy to do with a 4 branch manifold) you may find the exposed bit gets rather toastier than it would otherwise.

I'd check the heatshielding on the wings, bonnet etc. is OK, then if not already done consider shielding the alternator, inlet charge pipe, damper top bushes, engine mounts, bottom coolant hose etc. before fitting any exhaust wrap. That should cover all the fragile bits. Ideally get the exhaust coated, shield all that lot too, and even fit a Modwise cooling fan kit to let the fans run on for a couple of minutes after you switch off a hot engine. Hope that helps!

Ruari

[tedj]

Thanks all for your help. Looks like I have some deciding to get on with. :-)

[GreenV8S]

If you're worried about corrosion then you could paint the exhaust before you wrap it? That's no help in terms of stress cracks etc, although to be honest I haven't any noticeable problem with corrosion or stress cracks on mine.

[griffter]

I wrapped mine three years ago and they're still fine - BUT the car lives in a garage and rarely sees rain.

[nicbowman]

Ditto, wraps works well, when I open the bonnet I can actually hold the bonnet stay without getting 3rd degree burns! I never get mine wet though, but I beleive corrosion will be worse if you have an all weather car.

I only wrapped the big bits, after the small manifold tubing.

No change in cabin heat at all.

Nic

[jeffsy]

I looked into this but decided on cermic...get Tim at ACT to give you a quote on trade ins...Its not tooooo bad

[LastLawyer]

ho folks,

could you please be so kind to tell me what type (marque, producer) of wrap u used. thanks a lot in advance. am going to do this job on mine during this winter and found www.thermotec.com. anyone any experiences with this ?

regards

LL

[GreenV8S]

ThermoTec is the stuff I use.

[griffter]

GreenV8S said:

ThermoTec is the stuff I use.

And me. After three years though, it's starting to go brittle - so that knocking it while removing spark plugs for example causes it to fray. I guess it's the repeated heat cycles.

[jamiet]

Don't do if your griff goes anywhere near water! Mine were wrapped and I've just had the pleasure of changing both manifolds as a massive hole was blown in both of them both during the same journey. Rust was to blame. After taking the wraps off you could quite clearly see they were only rusted where the wraps were.

[350matt]

Don't wrap unless you have stainless manifolds, otherwise the wrap will be the only thing holding it all together!

Matt

[GreenV8S]

Is this corrosion problem specific to Griffiths/Chimaeras? Perhaps they have a particular problem with rain/spray getting on the exhaust? I really haven't noticed any corrosion on the V8S, the only problem I've had has been cracking around the collector and that's not uncommon on unwrapped exhausts.

[ACT]

It's OK to wrap stainless manifolds, mild steel might only last about 6 months wrapped !! but TVR OE V clamp (catted type)manifolds are stainless , low grade stainless but probably safe to wrap, the pre-cat Griff and pre-cat V8S were mild steel, avoid wrapping these .
Tim

Edited by ACT on Saturday 25th November 12:52