I was checking out J94Runner's post regarding hood louvers to reduce engine bay temp. Props to him for a nice looking install <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />, however I don't want to modify my hood.

I've got LCE ceramic headers on my 22re and I know they get damn hot. I was thinking about trying this exhaust wrap on em',

http://www.designengineering.com/products.asp?m=sp&pid=9

Just about every auto parts retailer carries this stuff. Does anyone have experience using it or know how effective it is?

its main purpose is to keep the pipes hot and the air from cooling tward the end of the pipe. When the air cools it condenses and is harder to push and u theirfore lose horsepower. (suposidly) anyhow yes its very effective but becarefull if u get it used gloves. if you handle it barehanded ull have nasty splinters that will irritate the crap outta you all night. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

I use header wrap. I love the stuff. I originally installed it to cut down on that stupid tick tick tick sound from under the hood and to reduce the engine bay tempertures. works great.

on another message board I follow, this topic sparks a huge argument about how it's bad for your headers, you'll melt 'em and void your warranty, blah, bla,h blah -- the negative statements all come from people who've never used it.

HOWEVER, I have read that you should never wrap a ceramic coated header. the ceramic coat is already supposed to seal in the heat I think, but I'm not sure about any of this. can't remember the benefits of ceramic coating. I've only ever had the stainless steel ones.

Looks like your right, I can't use the wrap with ceramic headers. The ceramic coating serves the same function as the wrap. Could've fooled me, maybe I will try the louvers. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Header wrap will rot out headers faster than no wrap because it holds the heat in which fatigues the metal sooner. It's fine for race cars, but not really good for daily drivers. You could wrap a section of the header or a specific tube to protect things that could come in contact with it. I bought a welder's heat blanket at my local hardware store and cut it into sections to wrap a few areas of exhaust to protect the fuel lines from heat. It worked like a charm.

yeah, but how much faster are you talking?

I ran wrap on my last header for 3 years without any problem. the only reason I replaced my header was because I wanted a tri-y to match the low to midrange torque cam I had installed instead of the 4:1 header I had in there.

once the old one was out, I pulled the header wrap to check the condition of the pipes after the three years... minor surface rust and some flakes in the areas which were holding water. other than that it was solid, top to bottom. and that's true, first hand experience from someone who's used it.