Automotive performance engines are commonly subjected to high RPM and demanding conditions. Because of this, these high performance engines also produce an excessive amount of heat which impacts engine horsepower and the lifespan of external engine components. Thankfully, exhaust wrap rolls are on the market that will dramatically lower the engine compartment heat.
Extreme hot operating conditions are a natural enemy to all high performance engines. When air and fuel become hot, they don’t contribute to the combustion process as good as they could. Colder air and fuel entering the engine will burn more efficiently and ultimately allow the engine to produce increased performance.
Pricey exterior engine components are often subjected to excessive heat in performance vehicles. Parts, such as batteries, can fail prematurely as the result of extreme heat exposure. Often, these engine parts may be costly to repair. By reducing their exposure to heat, automotive enthusiasts may prolong the life of these engine parts.
Applying exhaust wrap on the exhaust manifolds is the simplest method an automotive enthusiast can use to lower their engine compartment temperature. In most situations, the temperature drop can be as great as fifty-percent. Different thermal protection products are available that can further improve exterior engine component protection with component specific thermal wraps. Utilizing exhaust wraps and component wraps together, the heat exposure to particular exterior engine parts may be reduced by more than 75%.
Nearly all performance vehicle owners can install exhaust wrap products themselves. In most cases, the exhaust wraps are applied to the exhaust manifolds with the vehicle elevated. The wrap is installed in ¼” overlaps over all the pipes. Where the wrap begins and ends must be fastened with a specially made tie which is designed for high temperature use. Glass fiber wraps require an outer protective coating of high temperature silicone sprayed on the wrap, while the more costly pulverized lava wraps do not require an outer protective coating.
Nearly every automotive store and online retailer sells exhaust wrap rolls. Exhaust wrap kits may also be purchased and provide the automotive enthusiast the extra savings of purchasing a package that can completely cover a set of 8 cylinder headers. In most situations, exhaust wrap kits are priced less then one-hundred dollars.
Vehicle owners decide to wrap their headers for a variety of reasons. Whether its increased performance, or extending an expensive exterior engine part’s lifespan, the price of buying exhaust wrap could be easily recovered in a brief length of time.