Side Pipes

[carcrazydoc]

Anyone tried using a welder's blanket to protect passengers when exiting the vehicle? Did not feel that hot when I drove one around CT but awaiting a shakedown and test of the temp when mine arrives shortly. Sean

[buildone]

Yes, that's exactly what I did. Found some black welders blanket, sewed up a couple of sleeves, and keep one down behind the seat on both sides. My wife would definitely get burned if I didn't use it. I just grab it before she gets out, slide it on, works great!
They would be handy if I were ever to go to any sort of show as well, until they cooled down.

[Murky781]

They work perfectly and the pipes WILL get seriously hot and burn you to the bone. Getting in and out with sidepipes can be an artform! LOL
'

[Kobura]

The heat shields that came on my Backdraft do their job well. However, the looks of the shields certainly is a matter of personal taste. No doubt, to me, the side pipes look better without them, but the burn protection they provide is worth it. Besides, the ritual of getting into and out of the car is already prolonged enough without having to put welder's blankets over the pipes.

[OldFoggey]

I have been burned twice on the exhaust getting out of the car. Once was minor with just a large blister but the last time it was very deep. Took almost 3 months to heal completely and I have a large scar. Living in Florida I wear shorts most of the time and bare skin on a hot exhaust isn't fun. I have thought about removing the heat shields, wrapping the pipes with a silver exhaust tape and then reinstalling the shields to see if that helps. Anybody ever tried that for safety?

Don

[rpatton3]

Yep, they may look like a cheese grater but really do work. I had bigger mufflers built but I wanted to keep heat shields because I have used a wheelchair for past 40 years.

[ox_ford_guy]

OldFoggey: Yep. Florida is tough with shorts and all. However, we can drive 12 months a year. Great trade off...Ox

[lippy]

That's a great idea. Would this one work? Welding Blanket - Save on this 4 ft. x 6 ft. Welding Blanket. Could you provide some details on how you sewed them and what you used for thread?

[cbreez]

Originally Posted by buildone

Yes, that's exactly what I did. Found some black welders blanket, sewed up a couple of sleeves, and keep one down behind the seat on both sides. My wife would definitely get burned if I didn't use it. I just grab it before she gets out, slide it on, works great!

Very noble of you! Do you lay down your jacket across puddles for her if rains?

If the driver can learn to get out without burning himself the wife should learn too...IMHO

If someone gets burned, it's part of the "Cobra Experience".

[awfink55]

To OldFoggey......to protect my passengers leg, I wrapped the muffler portion of my sidepipes with fibreglass header tape. I purchased it on Amazon, 2" worked well for me. I replaced the heat shield over the wrap. Today I took heat readings with my temp gun. collector pipes were 160F, the heat shield was 80F and the pipe outlets were 120F. Hot enough to let you know, but, not do too much damage. I recommend the header wrap........

[OldFoggey]

Thanks Awfink. I was wondering if anybody had tried the header wrap. I found it from Summit Racing in titanium color so should be pretty un-noticeable once the shields are reinstalled.

Don

[Late Apex]

After seeing a similar post with a welder blanket picture on here I did a search and just ordered from Amazon the perfect solution. For just 17.99 highly rated and its black and measures 18x24 inches. Perfect size and no cutting needed. It can be folded or rolled up to keep handy inside the car. My new 1963 Grand Sport replica has huge diameter side pipes and after getting burned once, that was enough to search for a solution! Heat resistant to 1800F