Header coating or wrap?
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
Header coating or wrap?
I have my header off.
Is there a real advantage to heat wrapping it or having it ceramic coated? Or, is it not worth the effort? Cost?
Does anyone know any specifics?
Will it make a difference to the heat under the thigh?
Will it make a difference in performance?
Will it make a difference in engine life?
Is there a real advantage to heat wrapping it or having it ceramic coated? Or, is it not worth the effort? Cost?
Does anyone know any specifics?
Will it make a difference to the heat under the thigh?
Will it make a difference in performance?
Will it make a difference in engine life?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
From: Jaw-Jaw (Near The BIG Chicken!)
If your header is off, I hope it's because you're getting rid of the catalytic converter. If so, I wouldn't bother with taping it if you're gutting it. I replaced mine with the American Custom and couldn't be happier - NO HEAT from the head pipe like before. To me, it would have been a complete waste of time (and money), introduced another potential maintenance problem and if not done right can induce other problems (I've heard).
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
wrap became cool along with "biker build off" -an easy way to cover up crap welds and take short cuts.
thin wall pipes may rust through underneath.
like many race track innovations, wrap may not be of use of the street- the intention of wrap is to keep the exhaust gasses hot moving through the pipes, controlled temperature means more controlled gas velocity/density.
ceramic coating is meant to do similar, but in the end is more a cosmetic decision.
mike
thin wall pipes may rust through underneath.
like many race track innovations, wrap may not be of use of the street- the intention of wrap is to keep the exhaust gasses hot moving through the pipes, controlled temperature means more controlled gas velocity/density.
ceramic coating is meant to do similar, but in the end is more a cosmetic decision.
mike
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida, USA
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Wrap and coating both serve to insulate the pipe, they help to keep the exhaust gas temp up which allows the gas to maintain higher velocity, and since more heat is kept inside less heat is felt radiating from the pipe. Wrap will accelerate deterioration of steel pipes, but it should be OK on stainless pipes. My Swain Tech coating partially failed, so I wouldn't recommend them. A friends Jet Hot is still holding up great after 3 years. Choice of coating is a gamble, but there are some out there that work well. Coating, wrap, decatting, oil cooler, parade fan, and shields, you're still gonna feel some heat. Is what it is.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 867
Likes: 79
From: Bridgewater, NJ
Remove the cat and get a set of heat shields from RJS Originals.