Thermal heat barrier

CoBro · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2005, 07:59 PM

Took the Cobra out on my birthday (Feb 2nd) cause it was 60 degrees and sunny. Managed to drive it a few times this winter but not nearly enough. I have to upgrade a few items this year: new slave cylinder for my clutch, double fan setup on my radiator to keep things cooler this year and some thermal header wrap to lower heat in the engine compartment. Has anyone used this thermal wrap material? Is it any good?

thanks.

CobraKid427 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2005, 08:18 PM

I've used on several other Mustangs and it worked very well. Also keeps you from getting burning while working around a hot motor!

Ron61 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-06-2005, 06:33 AM

There are several discussions abut this issue. It will lower heat in the engine department, and is a definate help when working on a hot motor.
I am not sure that I agree with the 5/10 horsepower gain I have heard of, but that is of no concern to me. I have heard that it will tend to cause headers to burn and have holes in them. Still not sure about that, as I just lay the stuff on mine when I am working on the engine if it is hot and take it off when I am ready to drive.

Ron

Tim Brewer · #4 (**permalink**) 02-06-2005, 02:01 PM

Thermal header wrap has been known to ruin headers. If your headers are ceramic coated, definitely do not use the wrap, it won't do any good there anyway. But if your headers are just painted go ahead, but it could still ruin them in time. Header wrap is generaly for race cars where they replace parts like headers every so often.
Tim

feddersenr · #5 (**permalink**) 02-06-2005, 06:37 PM

I had my headers ceramic coated in a chrome-like finish for $150.00. They look nice and it keeps the heat down. The headers are still hot, but not nearly as bad as they were before the coating.

CoBro · #6 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 07:52 PM

Thanks for the responses. My headers are painted so I will go ahead and try the thermal header jackets which just clip on each tube. I'll inspect the headers in the fall for any deterioration.

Thanks

Excaliber · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 07:59 PM

I think the deal is the wrap tends to trap moisture leading to premature rust through. Depending on your climate, driving habits etc. it could be better or worse for an individual.

I'm thinking about wrapping mine while I have them out. It DO get hot under the hood!

601HP · #8 (**permalink**) 02-10-2005, 06:27 AM

I have an iron block aluminum head 427 side-oiler. Lots of cam lift and duration, and 12.0 compression. I live in the northeast with substantially high levels of humidity all year.

My primary header pipes have been wrapped for at least 7 years. I did this because the Jet-Hot coating did not provide enough engine bay and driver compartment heat reduction. Now as a result of the wrap I can quickly wipe my hand across a pipe, even after a hard run, and not burn skin. This stuff provides a tremendous reduction in heat.

Two years ago I re-wrapped all the pipes and didn't see the slightest evidence of rust, and absolutely no indication of negative impact to the Jet-Hot coating, interior and exterior.

The Jet-Hot interior/exterior coating has most likely prevented the rusting that will occur on unprotected mild steel primaries.

David