Using Header Exhaust Wrap To Reduce Engine Compartment Heat
One of the greatest enemies of engine performance originates from within. High temperatures may dramatically reduce engine horsepower and might also lead to early engine component failure. However, an inexpensive exhaust wrap roll may greatly reduce the under-hood temperatures by almost 50%.
With numerous exhaust wrap products on store shelves, it may be hard for car owners to determine which product is best for their car. Usually, exhaust wraps fall into two main categories. The least effective exhaust wrap rolls are created from glass fibers. The best rated wraps are produced from crushed lava and typically are able to withstand greater heat then the lower priced glass fiber header and exhaust manifold products.
There are many performance car owners that question the advantages of wrapping their exhaust manifolds and headers. Reducing the heat in the engine compartment by almost fifty percent is substantial. Reduced engine compartment heat will lower the air and fuel temperatures prior to the combustion process. Cooler air and fuel temperatures permit a more efficient combustion process.
Nearly any vehicle owner that has wrenched on a car knows the impact brittle and cracked vacuum lines and hoses may have on performance. Especially when racing, this reduction in performance can damage costly engine parts. Reducing the engine compartment heat will safeguard rubber belts and lines from the heat that forces them to become brittle and crack. This by itself can save a significant sum of money in future repair costs.
Applying exhaust wrap rolls is a relatively simple process that can be handled by most car owners that have access to the right tools. The wraps are applied on the exhaust manifolds or headers without the need to remove them from the vehicle. Every wrap should overlap by a quarter of an inch and be secured with special high temperature stainless steel clamps. Once installed, the exhaust wrap will provide the vehicle owner the advantages of lower engine compartment temperatures.
Exhaust wrap rolls are not new to the automotive circle, but they have been enhanced over the years. Pulverized lava rock exhaust wrap products currently on store shelves provide optimal protection from the harmful effects of extreme temperatures. And for less then a hundred bucks, the performance gains from a correctly applied wrap are well worth the money.
The writer is an employee at Weber Power Products. This organization runs a performance machine shop and also carries high performance engine parts for racing cars, which which also exhaust wraps.
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