Side Pipe Wraps & other questions

[Widows Son]

Had several inquiries from members on the wraps and other questions I put on my cobra. Here are the pics:





These are a few months old...I added PIAA LED 570 rally lights into the intake. These were massive large.

So, back to wraps: Exhaust wraps used were by DEI and I got mine from Amazon. I got 1 50' foot 2" wide role that did both pipes.

Titanium Exhaust Wrap with LR Technology 010128 | Purchase DEI, CryO2, Ny-Trex, Boom Mat & SPA Turbo Products | Design Engineering, Inc. - Thermal Performance Products

Some thoughts:
- Most wraps use a silicon spray. This was not what I was interested in since it is messy and stinks like all heck after reading comments one the web.
- The Titanium wrap DEI came out with (unlike their other colors) DOES NOT REQUIRE silicon spray. Just wrap it on and clamp it into place.
- the 50' x 2" wide role was perfect to get both pipes wrapped - but be forewarned, it leaves no room for leftover slack. roughly a 3/4" overlap should do it.
- Start at the back and work your way forward so that the "shingle" effect or wrap goes towards the back as opposed to leading edge towards the front of the car...
- I used Home depot bought pipe clamps to hold the wrap in place. To maintain the "black theme", I spray painted the clamps in advance with black exhaust paint. I used 4 clamps per pipe two handle the smaller diameter and 2 for the larger. Its the type you screw tighten similar to a clothes dryer vent clamp but more robust. After ~1000 miles, they are still solid and tight.
- Cautions about the wraps: I've heard they will retain moisture and could induce corrosion...not sure about that. Paranoid me takes garbage bags and just toss it on the cool pipes when I wash it so they are never wet...yes, I'm probably overly conservative. You can also always take it for a spin and get the pipes good and hot to evaporate the wet wraps.
- Yes, my calves have been saved a few time...how long can I keep my skin against the pipe before it burns, I don't know. But I can tell you, it was long enough to say, "See what I just did, say oh crap, and move my leg...all with no injury". If you read about wraps used for headers, it will drop the temperatures significantly.
- I was asked if it changes the sound of the pipe. I can't tell, the 427 sounds just as scary and makes little children cry, grown men envy, and prompts the ladies to fantasize a summer drive.

You either hate my cobra look or you don't. I am not in the camp of the traditionalist (as much as I do love the originality). So I went with the retro look such as HID projector headlights custom made with Angle eyes at:

©2012-2013 HID Projectors

Also went with Wilwood brakes but the new larger diameter version that require 18" front wheels. I put an installation section with a link to pictures of the entire process of swapping front and rear rotors:

Wilwood Brakes

[Thor maine]

That is a sweet looking ride!

[WardL]

Again, awesome Cobra! Thanks for the info on the pipe wraps. My wife says the sound of a Cobra is a "Male Mating Call"!

[itstock]

pipe wrap looks good, the car looks great!

[Widows Son]

Just came back from an hour drive. I clinched my teeth and grabbed the wrapped pipe...and nothing. It was warm but not enough to burn. You ca hold it indefinitely...with the air being nippy, I may now just reach down to warm up my right hand...LOL. They weren't exaggerating that these header wraps will cut engine compartment temps; however, I will expect accelerated deterioration of the side pipes.

BTW, I stand corrected, it was a 1/2" overlap using the 50'x2" wrap.

[toddl]

That is one killer cobra. I would not change a thing. Great job!!!

Todd

[601HP]

Looks stealthy, like it should be parked adjacent to an SR 71 jet.

Nice mono-color car.

David

[frdfver]

Great look...Reminds me of the road warrior. Good idea on the wrap.

[motordean]

LOVE the look of your Cobra! Cool idea with the wraps.

[awfink55]

Wanting to keep the "Boss" safe and happy, I removed the pipe covers and wrapped the pipes with fiberglass exhaust wrap I bought from Amazon. Then replaced the covers. After a brisk drive, I used my infared temp gun, the pipes were 85 degrees. Tho warm to the touch, our legs won't get burned. Mama is Happy !!!

[BAsque1]

Originally Posted by Widows Son

Just came back from an hour drive. I clinched my teeth and grabbed the wrapped pipe...and nothing. It was warm but not enough to burn. You ca hold it indefinitely...with the air being nippy, I may now just reach down to warm up my right hand...LOL. They weren't exaggerating that these header wraps will cut engine compartment temps; however, I will expect accelerated deterioration of the side pipes.

BTW, I stand corrected, it was a 1/2" overlap using the 50'x2" wrap.

Widows Son:
While your car looks HOT!!! I have the same concern of early damage to the sidepipes. I just sent my headers to get them ceramic coated. Got a call from the person who will be doing them (Firefly performance) and asked me why I had my headers covered, I did not the cover was removed by the previous owner, but the damage was already done, the wrapping actually cooks the metal ( see my picture) and he will have to prep them more to remove the damage. There are some metal shield that they claim the you will not get the snake bites and you can paint them with exhaust black paint.
Look closely and you will see the metal marked by the wrapping.



By the way are you a Freemason, if so
Sincerely & Fraternally
Lou (Basque1)

[Ralphy]

Widows Son, your build looks fantastic. How did you finish the trim black/windshield frame etc? I've always wondered.

Ralphy

[Jaydee]

I have used wrap on 2 vehicles. One started to delaminate the pipes and more or less fell apart. The other vehicle did no damage. I guess it depends if the pipes are zinc or plain steel. I wonder if stainless would work.
It definitely makes it cooler under the bonnet. I like the titanium one much better. It doesn't fluff up.
JD

[Al G]

Originally Posted by BAsque1

Widows Son:
While your car looks HOT!!! I have the same concern of early damage to the sidepipes. I just sent my headers to get them ceramic coated. Got a call from the person who will be doing them (Firefly performance) and asked me why I had my headers covered, I did not the cover was removed by the previous owner, but the damage was already done, the wrapping actually cooks the metal ( see my picture) and he will have to prep them more to remove the damage. There are some metal shield that they claim the you will not get the snake bites and you can paint them with exhaust black paint.
Look closely and you will see the metal marked by the wrapping.



By the way are you a Freemason, if so
Sincerely & Fraternally
Lou (Basque1)

I wondered if there was a downside to retaining all that heat inside the wrap. It's not like the wrap reduces the temperature, it just keeps all the heat in there.

[BAsque1]

Originally Posted by Al G

I wondered if there was a downside to retaining all that heat inside the wrap. It's not like the wrap reduces the temperature, it just keeps all the heat in there.

Yup and eventually will rust out the metal.

[MaSnaka]

There is a significant difference in the heat at the headers and the heat at the muffler portion of the side pipes. This may have an effect on the deterioration factor. I would guess the muffler wraps would not be as detrimental. Good idea.

John

[Widows Son]

Deteriation was/is a big concern I had. But I weighed that with the above points raised by members: huge safety benefit for the Mrs. and the thinking (or hope rather) that the temps are relatively much lower in the pipes vs the headers. Rat rods and motorbikes have been wrapping pipes for some time.

Thanks for the comments on the car. VMS did the work on the Backdraft regarding blacking out the chrome pieces. Jay and Brian did a great job.

[Widows Son]

Originally Posted by BAsque1

Widows Son:
While your car looks HOT!!! I have the same concern of early damage to the sidepipes. I just sent my headers to get them ceramic coated. Got a call from the person who will be doing them (Firefly performance) and asked me why I had my headers covered, I did not the cover was removed by the previous owner, but the damage was already done, the wrapping actually cooks the metal ( see my picture) and he will have to prep them more to remove the damage. There are some metal shield that they claim the you will not get the snake bites and you can paint them with exhaust black paint.
Look closely and you will see the metal marked by the wrapping.



By the way are you a Freemason, if so
Sincerely & Fraternally
Lou (Basque1)

BTW , yes I'm a traveling man.Also York Rite and a Shriner.