|
|
May 12, 2006 21:02:12 GMT
|
I'm probably going to take the manifold off STM when I start tinkering with her (putting my Magnecor 7.5mm competition ignition leads on tomorrow, they're ace!). I was just wondering if any of you have had any exhaust wrap experiences - does it improve gas flow and decrease underbonnet temps as stated? The manifold off the car... As you can see my exhaust manifold is more of a 'log' style, so it could be tricky. If exhaust wraps not a good idea, I assume any kind of VHT paint will be useful (very high temp?!) 'cause I'd like to make it all spangly Any tips for this kind of stuff? Ta!
|
|
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
May 12, 2006 21:22:14 GMT
|
Don't think you are meant to wrap cast iron manifolds are you?
I wrapped a 4 branch on the Midget, and it snapped after couple of months at most - the replacement went on unwrapped and lasted 'til I took it off 18 months later.
Hardly conclusive, but the guy that built my Midget engine (later than teh above) recommended NOT using it, as he thought it caused weakening and warpage.
Perhaps mines just bad expirience and others have found it OK?
Just looked at the piccy again - it's not like your carbs are hanging over the manifold - I wouldn't bother...
I also wonder how much of the retained heat ends up being conducted to the head?
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
|
|
May 12, 2006 21:25:40 GMT
|
it has a tendancy to go all mushy and fall apart after about 6 months.
personally your momey would be better spent with a 4 branch first, considering to wrap it properl;y your looking at over £50.
the better option is to get it ceramic coated, it costs about a ton and lasts forever and does the same job as wrapping it
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 12, 2006 22:58:40 GMT
|
My experience with exhaust wrap says: WEAR GLOVES when handling it! It gave me a damn nasty rash which was sore for days. (At least, I think it was the exhaust wrap that did it... )
|
|
My fleet: Suzuki GSX-R600Y SRAD with bald, melted tyres A borrowed Mondeo
|
|
|
|
May 12, 2006 23:29:18 GMT
|
With that manifold I don't think you would really notice any of the expected gains, and your money would probably be better of spent on a four branch manifold. I have used VHT paints before and they give reasonable results but I have never had a long life out of the paintwork. My experience with exhaust wrap says: WEAR GLOVES when handling it! It gave me a damn nasty rash which was sore for days. (At least, I think it was the exhaust wrap that did it... ) Depends on the type you use the majority are based on woven glass cloth (fibreglass) so when you are cutting and handling it does irritate. You can actually buy it from places such as Arco and other specialist insulation companies and it can work out cheaper getting an equivalent from these places. On some of our products at work we use a spray ceramic insulation coating and its used upto 1600 degree so I am gonna give the next four branch manifold I fit a coat of that to try it. With the materials used it would work out costing less than £1 ;D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks fro the feedback........I won't be four-branching it - costs an absolute fortune and ends up like Medusas head!
I'm going to leave it as is for the time being I think!
|
|
|
|
John
Part of things
Posts: 347
|
|
|
I had exhaust wrap on my 4 branch and it lasted about 1500 miles before it started breaking up. It also left dust everywhere in the engine bay.
However my wrap came from an industrial suppler (it was 1/4 of the price compared to race car suppliers) but it was carbon impregnated. Also my engine is buried a long way back so temps are high.
The exhaust wrap on the rest of the system ( I wrapped it all) is still going strong, probably due to the lower temps.
I had my 4 branch ceramic coated by Zircotec, it costs around £30 per foot, but its surprising how long a 4 branch is, total bill was £360!!! But it is worth it.
I think that new exhaust wrap keeps more heat in than he ceramic, but the ceramic is neater and will (better do at the price) last longer.
When putting on exhaust wrap wear a breathing mask.
John
|
|
|
|