How to Install an Exhaust Header Wrap
Exhaust headers are designed to help with vehicle performance and are typically an after-market modification. However, using these exhaust headers can produce heat in the engine that can be detrimental to other engine components and rob power from the engine itself. Many car enthusiasts solve this issue with the use of exhaust headers wraps, which will reduce the output of heat.
Items Needed:
- Specifically designed header wrap
- Scissors
- Wrap tie
- Hose clamp
- Water bottle
- Degreaser
- Bucket
- Water
- Remove exhaust headers from the engine. If the headers are already installed in the engine, remove them to apply the header wraps.
- Clean and degrease headers. After cleaning, make sure that they are dried completely.
- Soak header wrap in a bucket of water. This helps with installing the header wrap. Soaking the wrap also helps cut down on the fibers that strip off the wrap.
- Wrap each header. Begin at the end of the header that is closest to the engine. Make sure you wrap the header in a spiral that will end at the tip of the exhaust.
- Tie the first wrap off with manufacturers tie or with a hose clamp.
- Continue the wrapping motion up in a spiral pattern to the end of the header. Spiraling upwards from the initial wrap, make sure that each wrap around the header overlaps the prior lap by ¼-inch. Make each wrap even and smooth continuously keeping the wrap tension tight in your hands
- Reinstall the wrapped header back on the engine.
There is a risk that when wrapping the headers, the header pipes will be so close together that you cannot fit the wrap in between them. If this happens, instead of wrapping the headers individually, wrap them together. Choose the two closest headers wrapping them in the same manner as above using the same ¼-inch overlap in the header wrap.