Header Wraps

[bwringer]

On vintage bikes, I've seen people wrap headers mostly as a simple, cheap way to hide ratty looking pipes -- perhaps the chrome is long gone, but the pipes are still functional and solid.

And, of course, where you need insulation between the pipes and bodywork or somesuch.

As far as the (apparently arguable) performance gains, wraps have mostly been replaced by coatings.

[Nessism]

I love the personal and professional experiences people have, and as Hammered says; if you need (or demand) written proof, then best to resort to Google

Checked Google but can't find any evidence. Got link?

[posplayr]

Checked Google but can't find any evidence. Got link?

No evidence here Ed; Like I said Goggle is BEST

[Nessism]

No evidence here Ed; Like I said Goggle is BEST

I used Google and still could not find anything. Didn't spend a lot of time digging though. Just though someone here might have a link semi ready at hand.

[Hammered]

There was just a show on Spike's Sunday line up. Horsepower Tv was doing a 454 build. At the end of the show, they had an LS on the dyno. They wrapped the headers, recieved the power boost mentioned and reduced the over all temp by 100*. I dont see a way to link to an online link of the show, but Im sure it will run again sometime. IIRC, the increase in HP was roughly 15%. I wont say you will see that from wrapping a set of bike pipes but... They were using the DEI Titanium Wrap kit.

[Nessism]

There was just a show on Spike's Sunday line up. Horsepower Tv was doing a 454 build. At the end of the show, they had an LS on the dyno. They wrapped the headers, recieved the power boost mentioned and reduced the over all temp by 100*. I dont see a way to link to an online link of the show, but Im sure it will run again sometime. IIRC, the increase in HP was roughly 15%. I wont say you will see that from wrapping a set of bike pipes but... They were using the DEI Titanium Wrap kit.

I could accept, maybe, 1.5% increase. 15%? umm, no F'n way.

[Hammered]

I could accept, maybe, 1.5% increase. 15%? umm, no F'n way.

Watch the show. A Dyno reading doesnt lie. This is like any other bolt on performance product. First you have to know how to install it. And wrapping exhaust isnt as easy as some may think. After its cured, some tuning needs to happen. And after all, this was on a 454 power build. Exhaust flow is key to building HP at range. At 6000 the engine was building 422 horses. And as many of you here have said in relation to using pods, the better and smoother an engine breaths, the better it will build power. And remember, i didnt claim you could see that just wrapping your bikes pipes.

[hampshirehog]

I'm with Ed - 15% doesn't come along anywhere near that easily. The key to power isn't just about exhaust flow - it's about total flow through the motor (speed, volume, composition and pattern).

The sponsors of that show weren't DEI Titanium Wrap were they?

[Agemax]

15% is a p!ss take, you are lucky to get 3% with an exhaust change, but 15% just by covering it in a blanket? haha.

maybe if i cover my engine with a sleeping bag i may gain another 40% power?

[80-81, GS 1100]

Watch the show. A Dyno reading doesn't lie. This is like any other bolt on performance product. First you have to know how to install it. And wrapping exhaust isn't as easy as some may think. After its cured, some tuning needs to happen. And after all, this was on a 454 power build. Exhaust flow is key to building HP at range. At 6000 the engine was building 422 horses. And as many of you here have said in relation to using pods, the better and smoother an engine breaths, the better it will build power. And remember, i didn't claim you could see that just wrapping your bikes pipes.

Is it possible you would see a much greater percentage power increase on a car with a 454 and carburetor under a hood than a bike because
the bike's motor is out in the wind? I believe there are old muscle cars that lose a lot of HP with headers because of all that heat in the engine
compartment. This causes less oxygen to get in the engine as a result.
A bike would not have this problem.

[Hammered]

Is it possible you would see a much greater percentage power increase on a car with a 454 and carburetor under a hood than a bike because
the bike's motor is out in the wind? I believe there are old muscle cars that lose a lot of HP with headers because of all that heat in the engine
compartment. This causes less oxygen to get in the engine as a result.
A bike would not have this problem.

This could be the issue. We are talking about cars to bikes with this. And 68ish HP on 454 that is built to produce isnt out of the question. With a simple exchange of intake, you could see that much, IF properly tuned. To all those saying no, its not possible, watch the show. Research it. I only presented the info I saw. If I could find this show online, Id link it and let you be the judge of their findings. If you have issues with what these PROFESSIONAL builders did, take it up with them. It seems thought that no matter what findings are presented, those that dont believe, will simplly find a way to ignore it. All I know are top names in motorsprots use some sort of thermo-barrier material to increase power gains. From Cyril Huze to every tean in NASCAR and NHRA. If you feel that exhaust thermal barriers arent worth the benefit or expense, then dont. I know they are and have and will continue to. And now that some of the companies making coatings, are able to offer a chrome like finish, the "look" isnt even a reason not to anymore.

[Agemax]

i'm gonna spray my exhaust pink, google says a pink exhaust gives as much a 25% BHP increase haha. (only joking, its only 19.76%)

[hampshirehog]

i'm gonna spray my exhaust pink, google says a pink exhaust gives as much a 25% BHP increase haha. (only joking, its only 19.76%)

Pink eh? Now where have we all seen a vid of your bike with some pink things on it? Wouldn't be those slippers would it? Now maybe if the wrap was as fluffy.........

[80-81, GS 1100]

There was just a show on Spike's Sunday line up. Horsepower Tv was doing a 454 build. At the end of the show, they had an LS on the dyno. They wrapped the headers, received the power boost mentioned and reduced the over all temp by 100*. I don't see a way to link to an online link of the show, but Im sure it will run again sometime. IIRC, the increase in HP was roughly 15%. I wont say you will see that from wrapping a set of bike pipes but... They were using the DEI Titanium Wrap kit.

I didn't see the show so I am only guessing on this. But I have seen
old muscle cars where the owner will build up the engine but want to
keep a stock(outer) appearance. So instead of somehow giving the engine
fresh cold air ( which has much more oxygen) all they have is a chrome
high flow air cleaner under the hood. (who wants a hood scoop?)

You can solve this problem with some
kind of snorkel going through the front like a new car may have but thats
ugly. So the headers make the car sound great but because they heat up the engine compartment the owner is wasting a lot of HP.
So while some of the HP gain is due to scavenging effect a lot of it may be due to just giveing the engine colder air.

[beergood]

Personally, on the proper bike, I think they look cool (and better than my slightly pitted tubes).

As for performance, I have no idea.

Here is a personal anecdote: I was squatting down monkeying with my engine a couple springs ago, and lost my balance. Instinctively I reached out to grab something to steady myself, and instead of grabbing the frame (or falling all of two inches to the ground) I accidentally grabbed a naked header pipe. For some reason, my bike was only running on two cylinders, and I grabbed one of the hot ones like it was a monkey bar. So, I had my hand burned into the shape of a claw for a little while (which definitely resulted in a performance loss). Now with the wrap I can grab a pipe all day long.

And if you suffer occasional stupidity like I do, then the wrap might prove very useful.