problem with heat wrap in impreza headers

Andy916 · Post by **Andy916** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:51 pm

I'm about to do the same too and would be interested in getting someone in Cambs area to do it. Don't fancy the risk of snapping a stud without proper workshop facilities.

Can the downpipe be wrapped in situ?

Andy

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:30 pm

Is there any advantage to wrapping OE headers Andy? I think they wrap tubulr ones because they're so thin and heat loss can be quite rapid. The OE are pretty thick cast iron.

Doubt you would want to wrap the down pipe in situ although it may be possible. Not on your back with axle stands though, it'd be quicker to remove it. Again though, if it's OE, do you need to?

frayz · Post by **frayz** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:37 pm

Ive always used DEI in the past and found it to be the best quality wrap available.

Dont bother with wrap anymore and have had my new GT Spec headers caramic coated by Zircotec.

mirage · Post by **mirage** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:02 pm

whats the thermotec GEN2 coppermix like,anyone used it? It seems very tightly woven togeather and quite thick. just a bit worried mine might start doing the same now.

stockcar · Post by **stockcar** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:37 pm

the pics you have put up and the link to Ebay i would guess that ZEN and RCM will have a major problem with as that looks like the cheap stuff and not the same at all like the stuff we generally use/supply which to my knowledge is the same a Paul and Olly.................

Andy916 · Post by **Andy916** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:51 pm

Gerry H wrote:Is there any advantage to wrapping OE headers Andy? I think they wrap tubulr ones because they're so thin and heat loss can be quite rapid. The OE are pretty thick cast iron.

Doubt you would want to wrap the down pipe in situ although it may be possible. Not on your back with axle stands though, it'd be quicker to remove it. Again though, if it's OE, do you need to?

Not sure, but Harvey for example strips off the standard heatshields and wraps them.

Car was on a pal's ramp last weekend and it looked feasible in situ. It's a Magnex 3" to 2.5" stainless one.

The rallydesign wrap looks good value if that's the stuff you've had good experience of ... about half the price of DEI.

Andy

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:19 pm

I've had the Rallydesign wrap on mine for a couple of years. It does depend on the use the car gets, it seems. There's no way I'd question Harvey's recommendation. If he says do it, do it

Ian (DaOne) · Post by **Ian (DaOne)** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:29 pm

here are some pics of the free replacment wrap i got sent. am not sure if to re-wrap the headers and give this ago, or just get my money back and buy a different make, incase it happens again??

ScoobieWRX · Post by **ScoobieWRX** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:44 am

The wrap Zen used on my Uppipe went on like a plaster cast. It was well and truly soaked and as they put it on the chap squeezed his hand around it to remove any excess water so it was really stuck and tight to the pipe.

When he finished that he wrapped mig welding wire around it bit by bit with a twist in the wire every couple of turns to secure it. pulling it really tight as he went along. I think having a big vice to hold the uppipe in helped so he could pull the wire taut.

He said when this stuff starts to dry it forms a semi solid flexible skin so it doesn't crack and even when it's properly dry it has some give to allow for expansion, but not a lot.

Failing the wrapping you could always get them ceramically coated which may be the best option for those headers, but it wouldn't be cheap.

Ian (DaOne) · Post by **Ian (DaOne)** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:05 am

how much did zen charge you for this?