Side Pipe Wraps & other questions

[Widows Son]

Had several inquiries from members on the wraps and other questions I put on my cobra. Here are the pics:





These are a few months old...I added PIAA LED 570 rally lights into the intake. These were massive large.

So, back to wraps: Exhaust wraps used were by DEI and I got mine from Amazon. I got 1 50' foot 2" wide role that did both pipes.

Titanium Exhaust Wrap with LR Technology 010128 | Purchase DEI, CryO2, Ny-Trex, Boom Mat & SPA Turbo Products | Design Engineering, Inc. - Thermal Performance Products

Some thoughts:
- Most wraps use a silicon spray. This was not what I was interested in since it is messy and stinks like all heck after reading comments one the web.
- The Titanium wrap DEI came out with (unlike their other colors) DOES NOT REQUIRE silicon spray. Just wrap it on and clamp it into place.
- the 50' x 2" wide role was perfect to get both pipes wrapped - but be forewarned, it leaves no room for leftover slack. roughly a 3/4" overlap should do it.
- Start at the back and work your way forward so that the "shingle" effect or wrap goes towards the back as opposed to leading edge towards the front of the car...
- I used Home depot bought pipe clamps to hold the wrap in place. To maintain the "black theme", I spray painted the clamps in advance with black exhaust paint. I used 4 clamps per pipe two handle the smaller diameter and 2 for the larger. Its the type you screw tighten similar to a clothes dryer vent clamp but more robust. After ~1000 miles, they are still solid and tight.
- Cautions about the wraps: I've heard they will retain moisture and could induce corrosion...not sure about that. Paranoid me takes garbage bags and just toss it on the cool pipes when I wash it so they are never wet...yes, I'm probably overly conservative. You can also always take it for a spin and get the pipes good and hot to evaporate the wet wraps.
- Yes, my calves have been saved a few time...how long can I keep my skin against the pipe before it burns, I don't know. But I can tell you, it was long enough to say, "See what I just did, say oh crap, and move my leg...all with no injury". If you read about wraps used for headers, it will drop the temperatures significantly.
- I was asked if it changes the sound of the pipe. I can't tell, the 427 sounds just as scary and makes little children cry, grown men envy, and prompts the ladies to fantasize a summer drive.

You either hate my cobra look or you don't. I am not in the camp of the traditionalist (as much as I do love the originality). So I went with the retro look such as HID projector headlights custom made with Angle eyes at:

©2012-2013 HID Projectors

Also went with Wilwood brakes but the new larger diameter version that require 18" front wheels. I put an installation section with a link to pictures of the entire process of swapping front and rear rotors:

Wilwood Brakes