Idiots guide to heat wrapping

[oblark]

I thought I would do a “how to” on how to heat wrap a downpipe,

I`m not trying to teach you gran to suck eggs or that most people on here are idiots (well they is a few) :)

I prefer to start off like this as you hold the end of the wrap and pull it tight.

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u433/oblark/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_110524.jpg (http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/oblark/media/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_110524.jpg.html)

You don`t want to overlap the wrap to much, I overlap it by about 10m/m

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u433/oblark/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_110613.jpg (http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/oblark/media/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_110613.jpg.html)

Always feed off the bottom of the roll as it is easier to keep the wrap tight.

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u433/oblark/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_110622.jpg (http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/oblark/media/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_110622.jpg.html)

Once finished fold the end over to stop it from coming apart and I use a stainless jubilee clip to hold the wrap in place.

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u433/oblark/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_110730.jpg (http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/oblark/media/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_110730.jpg.html)
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u433/oblark/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_110820.jpg (http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/oblark/media/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_110820.jpg.html)

The wrap can either been done dry or wet. I prefer the to soak the wrap for 10 mins in hot water then wrap the pipe. The advantage of wrapping it wet is when the wrap dries out from the hot exhaust is it will shrink and tighten.

Here`s one I did earlier :)

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u433/oblark/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_135944.jpg (http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/oblark/media/volvo%20850%20t5/Engine%20rebuild%20project/20140222_135944.jpg.html)

[stribo]

What are the benefits to heat wrapping mate?

[oblark]

What are the benefits to heat wrapping mate?

About 25bhp :)

I don`t really know what the benefits are, just that it is a popular mod in the biker world.

[Saaamon]

Looks nice.

[RichT4]

Also degrades the life of the exhaust

[Yosser]

What are the benefits to heat wrapping mate?

Lower engine bay temperatures plus, in theory, the exhaust gases move faster if they stay hotter.

Some folks say that heat wrapping can cause premature failure of the exhaust though.

FWIW I wrapped my dp too.

[JUDGENINJA]

Reduces heat in the engine bay, with the intention that the block doesn't soak up the radiated latent heat. This enables cooler intake temperatures.

However retaining heat in exhaust in pipe is a trade off. Reducing life must be one of the consequences of the heat..

When talking of full blown race cars, every thousandth of a second makes all the difference.

[theflyingbrick]

mines heat wrapped and although im yet to see any real benefits I can say it seems to have reduced the droning noise from the decat!!

[stribo]

Surely with a stainless system it shouldn't reduce the life by too much.


mines heat wrapped and although im yet to see any real benefits I can say it seems to have reduced the droning noise from the decat!!

It's probably stopping any resonance in the pipe.

[theflyingbrick]

Surely with a stainless system it shouldn't reduce the life by too much.



It's probably stopping any resonance in the pipe.

that's what im thinking........which will allow me to remove another silencer without fear of it killing my ear drums inside the car ;)

[RichT4]

I may consider doing this then...

[stribo]

that's what im thinking........which will allow me to remove another silencer without fear of it killing my ear drums inside the car ;)

Lol, so just a straight through pipe for you then? The heat wrap will only stop the resonance from the downpipe, unless you're planning on heat wrapping the whole exhaust.;)

[artfulflounder]

Alot depends on quality of wrap though.

some is cheaper that you have to seal with high temp spray or newer titanium based stuff which is much better quality.

comes in some great colours too.lol

[t5 pete]

Good read on wrapping
http://www.guy-croft.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=759&hilit=wrap

[theflyingbrick]

Lol, so just a straight through pipe for you then? The heat wrap will only stop the resonance from the downpipe, unless you're planning on heat wrapping the whole exhaust.;)

don't be silly.....................itll still have a tiny back box lol

[JUDGENINJA]

I heat wrapped my previous 850 exhaust.... But it set itself on fire!!!

[oblark]

I heat wrapped my previous 850 exhaust.... But it set itself on fire!!!

That doesn`t surprice me with one of your cars :)

[stribo]

don't be silly.....................itll still have a tiny back box lol

I've heard you've got a tiny back box. :lol:

[stribo]

I heat wrapped my previous 850 exhaust.... But it set itself on fire!!!

But what did you heat wrap it in? toilet paper :P

[RichT4]

I've heard you've got a tiny back box. :lol:

I would've thought that's a good thing, means it's not penetrated!
Are you suggesting you have a large one?

[theflyingbrick]

hahahaha my back box is as it should be thank you very much :D

[stribo]

I would've thought that's a good thing, means it's not penetrated!
Are you suggesting you have a large one?

Not on the C70 :P The S60R's is somewhat larger. ;)

[graemewelch]

Surely with a stainless system it shouldn't reduce the life by too much.



It's probably stopping any resonance in the pipe.

that depends on the grade of stainless.

[Wobbly Dave]

I soaked my heat wrap in water 1st so that when it dries it tightens up more. I then sprayed it in Cool-it sealant.

23882

[siamblue]

that depends on the grade of stainless.

Also depends if it is a stainless pipe that has been migged instead of tigged that has been wrapped..even shorter lifespan.

[JUDGENINJA]

But what did you heat wrap it in? toilet paper :P


That doesn`t surprice me with one of your cars :)

Nope it was the proper stuff, but the springy bit of the down pipe sprung a hole and like a flame thrower it cut the stuff in half..

Maybe the experts know a thing or two.

[graemewelch]

If its been welded with s/s wire the process used will make no difference what so ever.

[jamesy12345]

Corrosion under insulation is a big worry on the piping I work with but as Stribo says above, should be no problem on stainless. Unless it's 304 stainless grade and we are talking about Volvo marine engines.....

Decent wrap shouldn't soak water up anyway.

Thanks Oblark very useful I was thinking about wrapping mine also

[Kingsford G]

Heat wrapping the intake pipes is a good idea but if you have a SS down pipe its a good enough flow so why ruin it.

[jamesy12345]

Heat wrapping the intake pipes is a good idea but if you have a SS down pipe its a good enough flow so why ruin it.

Never thought of wrapping the intake pipes. I would rather leave them open on these cars cos they get a good flow of air. A rear engined car would be different tho

I thought the point of wrapping the down pipe was to stop the heat radiating into the engine bay? I wouldn't wrap the exhaust manifold as I think that would put too much heat back into the cylinder head??