Exhaust Wrap/Spray

[vortex2450]

Hey fellas,

I'm completely replacing the exhaust system on my SHO from the heads back as I am totally fed up with the rusted out fittings and tubing.

I want to wrap and coat the new stuff but I need a little guidance.
Searching and google isn't really working out for my questions.
So here I go:

Can I warp the catalytic converters or no?
Same for coating, should I tape off the converters so they don't get coating all over them?
Exactly how should this be done correctly? Is it beneficial to clean and coat the exhaust before the wrap?
Exactly how far should i wrap the exhaust before benefits are negligible?

also, what are suggested brands for coating and exhaust wrap?

Any input is always appreciated.
Thanks,
-Josh

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Starting with stainless piping and hardware would be a good place to start.

I would actually not wrap anything as it retains moisture and can contribute to rust.

 

[KillerSix]

I believe you can wrap the cats if you wish, the cats need to reach a minimum temperature to operate properly so I don't think wrapping it will harm it, but it does get pretty hot. Normally you wrap then coat it. Usually most people only wrap the manifolds/headers up to the cats.

I haven't done it myself and am not really aware of all the effects but I doubt there are any major bonuses to wrapping the whole system. Either way I am no expert. Just droppin' my two cents in.

 

[vortex2450]

Starting with stainless piping and hardware would be a good place to start.



I would actually not wrap anything as it retains moisture and can contribute to rust.

Already taken care of, bought a Borla SS system from a forum member.
Does spraying it not seal the wrap and stop moisture and dirt from getting in the wrap?

I believe you can wrap the cats if you wish, the cats need to reach a minimum temperature to operate properly so I don't think wrapping it will harm it, but it does get pretty hot. Normally you wrap then coat it. Usually most people only wrap the manifolds/headers up to the cats.

I haven't done it myself and am not really aware of all the effects but I doubt there are any major bonuses to wrapping the whole system. Either way I am no expert. Just droppin' my two cents in.

I'm still on the fence, I think it might be best not to wrap the cats, I don't want to cause any adverse conditions/temperatures which could cause a premature failure and have my engine sucking up parts of the converter.

I am aware that the method is wrap then spray, btw.

Thanks,
-josh

 

[kevinspann]

I wouldn't wrap it due to what was said about it retaining moisture. It's under the car, so it's bound to get nicked or cut, letting it in.

You want to wrap it to prevent rusting? But you're getting a stainless exhaust that shouldn't...so...why wrap it?

Heat in the cats is a good thing for emissions testing, I think.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Already taken care of, bought a Borla SS system from a forum member.
Does spraying it not seal the wrap and stop moisture and dirt from getting in the wrap?

You will still get moisture under the wrap. It might affect the paint over the long term. So I probably would not do it.

 

[NovaSS]

dont wrap exhaust on the street, waste of time and money ( waste on most race cars too. ( Ever see a forumla 1 with wrap??)

The only time I would wrap any exhaust is to insulate componets around it to protect them.

 

[vortex2450]

I wouldn't wrap it due to what was said about it retaining moisture. It's under the car, so it's bound to get nicked or cut, letting it in.

You want to wrap it to prevent rusting? But you're getting a stainless exhaust that shouldn't...so...why wrap it?

Heat in the cats is a good thing for emissions testing, I think.

You will still get moisture under the wrap. It might affect the paint over the long term. So I probably would not do it.

I see the issues at hand here. Very well then.

dont wrap exhaust on the street, waste of time and money ( waste on most race cars too. ( Ever see a forumla 1 with wrap??)

The only time I would wrap any exhaust is to insulate componets around it to protect them.

Good point.

I am assuming there are no (measurable) gains in maintaining hotter exhuast gas temps through the system via an exhaust wrap.
I'm all for not having to put the extra time into doing something that won't help anyways.

I am trying to reduce underhood temps and wear on the surrounding wiring near the exhaust manifolds and y-pipe. The y-pipe is not stainles steel.

Is applying a thermal coating a good option here? At worst it's an aestethic inmprovemnet.

-Josh

 

[SHOtime2511]

Thermal coating on the Y would not be a bad idea.
I suppose it could help with underhood temps if you are sitting still in traffic.
I would think the cowl hood you have in your avatar would help the most.

 

[AREA 91]

It's been proven that keeping the heat inside the pipes does increase power.
Coated pipes are much better than wrapped pipes.


I recomend coating the Y pipe, and leaving the cat back alone.
No header wrap for a street car.

 

[vortex2450]

It's been proven that keeping the heat inside the pipes does increase power.
Coated pipes are much better than wrapped pipes.


I recomend coating the Y pipe, and leaving the cat back alone.
No header wrap for a street car.

Okay, thanks for that clarification. What would you suggest for coating? Do I need to find a "specialist" or can I use ceramic coating in a can?

-josh

 

[SHOspazz92]

My exhaust is wrapped only near the fuel tank. This is was done for the very long track days (weekends), where the exhaust would get so hot it would actually start boiling the gas in the tank.

-Sam

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Okay, thanks for that clarification. What would you suggest for coating? Do I need to find a "specialist" or can I use ceramic coating in a can?

-josh

Spray stuff will work but a coating like Jet Hot is even better.

 

[sho_972000]

you live in a state that uses salt during the winter...you f@*&ED

 

[vortex2450]

My exhaust is wrapped only near the fuel tank. This is was done for the very long track days (weekends), where the exhaust would get so hot it would actually start boiling the gas in the tank.

-Sam

Interesting, I might look into coating the cat-back for the **** of it because I do plan on seeing the track/auto-x courses on a regular basis.

you live in a state that uses salt during the winter...you f@*&ED

I live on the coast of NC, it's snowed a total of 3 times in the past tens years with a combined amount of maybe 12". I'm not worried about salt on the roads, just prevention, I hate corrosion and rust....

-Josh

 

[sho_972000]

i live in co where it snows all the time and have one small rust spot over ther right rear right under the fuel door......im just saying...but i did notice that my whole underside is coated...

 

[SHOtime2511]

They use sand on the roads here,not salt.

Back to the question at hand;
Any shop that does powder coating should be able to hot jet coat the Y pipe for a reasonable fee.
That should be much more durable that the spray can coating.

 

[SHOZ123]

Don't bother with Jet Hot unless it is new steel of you sand blast it before sending it in. It won't stick for long.

 

[NovaSS]

Don't bother with Jet Hot unless it is new steel of you sand blast it before sending it in. It won't stick for long.

I have not had great sucess with jet hot either, stainless or nothing ( even stainless will rust but should outlive the car)

 

[to late4 ya]

I would'nt bother wrapping it, just because its SS doesnt mean it wont rust its still got a base of iron unless the surface has enough chrominum in the mix itll still rust through... what grade is the steel most likely itll EVENTUALLY rust through