header, side pipe question

dan adams · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2002, 08:53 PM

I have a question. I am fitting my headers and side pipes.
I think they look nice tucked in close to the body. Has anyone
had trouble with heat, the pipes being to close to the glass?
I have looked at lots of pictures. Quite a variety of installations
out there. What is correct? Dan

Mr.Fixit · #2 (**permalink**) 12-20-2002, 08:33 AM

Yes, you can easily scorch your paint next to the sidepipes. You need to be able to slip the palm of your hand between the pipes and the body. During initial motor fire-up, they often run a bit hotter that they normally would. I put a 16" fan on the ground, on each side, pointing at the sidepipe body exits to keep cool air blowing through there, during the first fire up.

mr0077 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-20-2002, 09:07 AM

...but wait until it cools off before you slide your palm between the pipes and the body

Steve SPF 517 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-20-2002, 09:17 AM

Get out your shin protectors. Getting in and out of the car you learn quickly somehow when working on the engine you forget about how hot and where they are!

dan adams · #5 (**permalink**) 12-20-2002, 06:14 PM

Thanks for the tip Mr. Fixit. Ken and Steve, I appreciate your
wisdom as well

Carroll DeWeese · #6 (**permalink**) 12-21-2002, 11:13 AM

By the way, when you park around a crowd or especially children, stay around the Cobra a while to insure someone does not touch the pipes. Since virtually all cars have the exhaust out of sight and out of touch, most people have no idea of the danger. Always regard your pipes as exposed Cobra fangs.

KobraKarl · #7 (**permalink**) 12-21-2002, 11:43 AM

hi dan, the original " builder" of my contemporary cobra liked that "close in" look too. i received a substantial discount when i purchaced it because of 6 or 7 inches of blistering paint on either side where the exhaust emerges through the fender and toward the doors i probably bought my car 10,000 cheap, but that nasty blistering is going to cost me!

jdean · #8 (**permalink**) 12-23-2002, 08:26 PM

I wonder if you can get closer in with the pipes w/o paint damage if they are ceramic coated?

Seems to me this would help if the coated pipes run 20% or so cooler.

thundercat · #9 (**permalink**) 12-24-2002, 01:40 PM

My pipes are ceramic coated and heat caused paint to lift for about 3" where they exit body.. I can slip my palm between but still blistered.. Steve McD

Mr.Fixit · #10 (**permalink**) 12-25-2002, 09:49 PM

The initail fire up is the main culprit. Thy run hotter the first ten minutes.

Captain Speed · #11 (**permalink**) 01-04-2003, 08:18 AM

I installed my pipes as per the Contemporary Manual and have had no problem with the first 5000miles. The manual recommends at least one inch from the pipes to anything you don't burned. The body had to be trimed more on the left side where the header pipes exit.

Roscoe · #12 (**permalink**) 01-04-2003, 12:19 PM

What's worse than some kid touching the pipes is him standing on them with his sneakers.....Yuck!

Roscoe
Do I like children?...Sure...as long as they are well done!

Jack21 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-04-2003, 08:37 PM

1) Ceramic coat headers inside, & outside.

2) Ceramic coat sidepipes outside, and inside as far back from inlet, and outlet as far back as possible.

3) Use stainless bolts on header/sidepipe connection.

4) Use ARP header bolts. They don't rust.

5) Use RTV Copper Plus hi temp sealant on header, and sidepipe gaskets.

6) Use FelPro embossed copper header gaskets, not composition exhaust manifold gaskets.

7) Use ceramic coated sidepipe heatshields (not aluminum or stainless) mounted 1/2" from sidepipe muffler.

8) Mount sidepipe with at least 1 1/2" clearance between muffler and body to avoid paint blistering.