Steffan

Hello,

I'm in the progress of building a new engine, and that includes new headers.
I wish to wrap those headers on "powerwrap" and was wondering how hot they get.
The powerwrap i found can handle 2100F / 1150C degrees. is that enough? i have seen headers glow red, and even white on youtube when they dyno some insane engines, how hot are they actually when this happens ??
I read somewhere online that white-glowing steel is ~1200C and red clowing is ~800C

Also, anyone know how much powerwrap i will need to wrap two headers (short and long, dont know which i will use yet)?

Steffan

Nevermind, just read a ****load of bad thing regarding wrapping headers, so not going to do it anyway.

Starfury

Exactly. No header mfg recommends wrapping their headers, and it usually voids the warranty on a new set.

Look into ceramic coated headers. The coating does a pretty good job of retaining heat, and will last a long time.

groho

wrapping headers introduces condensation and water, and eventually wroughts your headers. Jethot or ceramic coatings are more then sufficient to protect the header. How hot can they get, bright orange hot if you have a motor that isn't tuned right.

69mach1377

Glowing headers means it's too lean and that kind of heat is not good for anything.

67mustang302

Not always, too rich can make the headers glow too as you burn off the fuel inside the headers. Also, glowing headers isn't a bad thing depending on the situation, a really high performance car on the track (road racing or other long duration event) that puts out a lot of power can get the headers to glow(usually has to be lower light conditions to see it). Formula 1 cars have headers that are dull red in daylight conditions, and at night or in a lights off dyno room are bright as ****, but their headers are made from Inconel alloys.

Under full power, headers on some street performance cars can be up over 1,000*F.

barnett468

.
http://www.blksmth.com/heat_colors.htm

69mach1377

^ nice link.
I'll bet the OP is not talking about a really high performance car on the track.
Burning fuel in the headers is also not a good thing.

67mustang302

Turbo cars are more notorious for burning fuel in the headers, since they run so rich to prevent detonation. I've seen older stock turbo cars with cast iron headers get them to glow a bit in the dark just from driving hard.

Headers that glow in the lower end of the dull red temp ranges really isn't that big a deal in and of itself on a street car. The big issue is things in close proximity to them that don't take well to that kind of heat, like electrical wiring or some steering boxes (the grease in them can break down rapidly if it's not a high temp synthetic).

zmetalmilitia

On a diesel generator, nonetheless, they are glowing.

I wouldn't wrap the headers either.