Section : Exhaust

Insulation wrap

Posted By : George Willis, 08-Jun-2004, 11:51am

Having taken the Spit to Tuscany last summer (up AND over the alps!!) and suffered from hot foot for most of the driving, I have decided that perhaps this year I should put some heat wrap around the exhaust.
I fitted a stainless steel free flow 'quiet performance system' a few years ago but the extra heat thrown out has an impact on the carbs, hydraulic lines etc, especially in hot climates.

My question is this: I read somewhere that there can be problems with exhausts cracking due to the insulation (and differences in temperatures). Is this the case? Des the insulation make much of a difference? Which is the best width to use (1" or 2")? Any lessons learnt from others having put it on (ease, where to start etc)?

I have to take the head off as I am pretty sure that the extreme heat of the tuscan heatwave has either warped the head or part blown the gasket (we ran dry a couple of times, but that's a different story all together!)

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!!

Thanks

Followups :

Insulation wrap

Posted By : Doug Paterson, 08-Jun-2004, 05:11pm

No help whatsoever, but I'm also considering going for the insulating wrap on my club stainless system so I'm also interested to hear experiences with this stuff.

Cheers
- Insulation wrap
  
  Posted By : James Carruthers, 08-Jun-2004, 05:30pm
  
  Well - I'm wrapping my Bell exhaust using this stuff - after researching I decided to do this.
  
  I think it was NiG who said he wrapped his mild steel 4-2-1 and after 2 or 3 years the manifold was perfect - except for the bits that were uncovered - they were really rusty... so if anything I think it helps protect.
  
  I got my stuff from ThinkAuto -
  
  http://www.thinkauto.com/acatalog/Price_List_Exhau...
  
  I can't remember exactly how much I ordered - about 15 or 20 metres - easily enough - I have some left over!
  
  I'm using the stainless hose clips that ThinkAuto sell to secure the wrap on the exhaust - as suggested by AndyV...
  
  It's quite easy to wrap the exhaust - when it's off the car - but wear some latex gloves when you do it if you have sensitive skin - mine itched like mad afterwards.
  
  James
  
  Insulation wrap
  - Insulation wrap
    
    Posted By : Don Cook, 08-Jun-2004, 05:58pm
    
    Are you wrapping the length that goes under the gearbox tunnel? I'm convinced that the excessive heat from the tunnel is not from the box but from the exhaust. Go on Jimmy do it and let us know!
    - Insulation wrap
      
      Posted By : James Carruthers, 08-Jun-2004, 07:45pm
      
      No - the photo shows as far as I was planning to go.
      
      Of course - by insulating it - I've actually made the section that goes under the gearbox hotter!
      
      The problem is that there is a join in the exhaust on that bit - so what is really needed is a "sleeve" rather than a wrap.
      
      What probably needs doing is insulating the actual tunnel itself properly. What have you got in your tunnel? That horrid asbestos? (sp?)
      
      You can buy all sorts of stuff from the motorsports places - but its bloody expensive! Then again if it makes the cockpit more comfortable then it's probably worth it.
      
      Currenlty I've put a layer of dense rubber sound insulation on mine - its a bit of a mosaic at the moment - so I am going to get some black silicon sealant and "grout" the thing... then I was going to put a few layers of tin foil on top of it... to hopefully reflect the heat.
      
      The stuff I'd really like to use is called "Reflectix" - which is "aluminised bubble wrap" - you can only get it in the states though...
      
      Of course if you want to get rid of heat then you could always get rid of that big straight 6...
      
      James
      - Insulation wrap
        
        Posted By : Tim Willis, 08-Jun-2004, 11:55pm
        
        This stuff is very effective, really cutting down heat from the manifolds. It is also expensive and doing it on the car is a right t@*t of a job.
        I used &163;70+ worth on the two headers on the V8 and had real problems having to guess how much wrap was needed for each pipe as you can't get the roll around the pipe if you see what I mean.
        It doesn't conform to bends easily as it has little stretch (like insulation tape does when you wrap a loom) but neatness is very important or it will fall off.
        If I was doing a simple manifold like th Triumph one I would definitely remove it and do it on the bench.
        
        Oh and it stinks for a while also, and smokes, and goes horrible brown.
        
        Tim
        
        Willow Triumph
      - Insulation wrap
        
        Posted By : Michael Galjaardt, 11-Aug-2004, 11:05am
        
        What's the thoughts on the best thing for insulating and sealing the gearbox tunnel?
        
        I've a 2.0L T2000 engine & GT6 gearbox so the standard tunnel doesn't fit flush - there are gaps of up to 15mm between tunnel base and floor.
        
        Any suggestions would be great 'cos the 'hot-foot' I get is slowly baking my toes....
        
        Cheers
        
        Insulation wrap
        
        Posted By : Mark Stradling, 11-Aug-2004, 11:36am
        
        Have you got the origonal tunnel cover, or an after market fiberglass one?
        
        Either way, if you get a fiberglass one, it shouldn't be too hard to cut the bottom off, and let in an additional 15mm strip of materia. You could at least get it to seal on the floor then.
        
        As an aside, I've gone for a Carruthers-esk lining of heat reflecting material - survived the trip to La Mans and back.
        
        Insulation wrap
        
        Posted By : Philip Brammer, 11-Aug-2004, 11:37am
        
        I'm sure you can buy fairly substantial aluminium covered heat insulation from heating engineer suppliers, you know, the stuff they wrap around heating pipes or exhaust ductings. Can you manufacture something from that?
        
        Insulation wrap
        
        Posted By : Ben Watson, 11-Aug-2004, 10:01pm
        
        i would say, that the best thing for this would be the new kind of roof insulation that is being used at the mo, it is a bit like the fibre filled/ plastic bag lagging on the original tunnels but instead of a plastic bag it is a silver heat reflective type stuff, i reckon this will suit you needs perfectly.
        
        cheers
        ben w