DEI Header Wrap (Fiberglass Insulating Wrap For Headers)

[Jimbeamrye]

Heat from my exhaust headers is very intense. They glow red even when driving very modest. They glow bright red when driving hard. I want to wrap them to conceal some of the heat. I ordered some wrap and part of the instuctions have me baffled....here's what it says:

THE instuctions I received with the DEI header wrap say over and over not to overlap the material anymore than 1/4"?

Do you think it matters if I over-lap by more than that? They don't give the reason for this, so I'm left to guess why. #1 is that it could insulate too much IF doubled and cause headers to melt underneath or #2 it could be that more than 1/4" causes the wrap not to seal correctly....like it needs steel to adhear to and wont adhear properly to itself. Any ideas?

 

[hawg dawg]

wrap

faust tony is dei expert. contact him!---john

 

[MiamiDave]

I would go to the technical section first and look at some of the other ways of cooling your bike down, to include gicing it the proper air fuel.

I ride in brutal 90+ degree weather, and none of that happened even when I as stock.

Your bike is suffering from a lean condition.

 

[Jimbeamrye]

Why not to Over-wrap headers:
According to DEI, it's OK to insulate the headers as long as its thin enough to let some of the heat off. Apparently if you double or triple the wrapping, the headers could become too hot underneath the wrap and cause metal fatigue near weld joints, after multiple hot and cold cycles.

 

[wookie]

Please keep us updated on the map recall. I have a 07 tour and my right side is on fire. I wrapped my headers and that helped reduce my cooked thigh from well done, down to medium rare. Im going to remove the cat this winter and take the headers off and have them ceramic coated in and out. I believe that should help a whole bunch.

 

[hawg dawg]

header

ya might want to get rid of all the casting "slop" inside header ( port/grind/etc.) before you send to get ceramic coated. --you'll see once you've got it off! --john

 

[Jimbeamrye]

Follow-Up

Tools Required: Socket wrench and 2-3 inch extension. Premium 4mm & 5mm allens for use with socket wrench. 11mm and 12mm sockets and same size wrenches.

Optional Tools: Vise grips, hammer, beer, air driven impact wrench, small grinder with thin cutting disk(for screw-driver), plenty of lighting plus a flashlight.

The problem I incountered while dis-assembling the header, was two of the clamps that hold the chrome heat shield to the headers would not budge. I had brand new craftsman metric Allen sockets, and still stripped two bolts. I was putting so much pressure on them I thought the clamp was gonna snap. I used an impact tool which got one loose but no luck with the other. Ended up pulling the grinder out and had to shave the head of the bolt off. Last was the one of the little chrome allen head bolts that is right above the O2 sensor. Most of you will know the one I'm talking about, because it will discolor from the heat of the header because it screws into the header without any heat shielding. Had to grind a groove into it to get a big ass flat head screw driver into the slot. So the screw driver with vise grips attached got that one out. Did have to go to the hardware store to replace the clamp hex bolts with simular metric stainless steel ones.
I took my time and wrapped the wet fiberglass wrap tight around the headers. I used the 2" wide wrap, but in retrospect, I should have used the 1". Used almost 9' of the 15' roll. So if you use 1" wide, you will need at min 18'. Be sure when putting your SS hose clamps on, that you insure they don't interfear with your chrome heat sheild clamps or motor case. After the wrapping was complete, I put the header in the oven and heated to 275 to dry the wrap completely. After it cooled, I used the the special high temp spray coating and painted the header and wrap. Let it dry over-night and the re-applied a second coat.

The results....if the headers were putting off 400 degrees to my right leg, they now feel like only 300 degrees. It helped a bunch but did not eliminate the problem completely.

 

[Indian]

I have wrapped the headers on 2 rockets. You dont notice how much it helps until you get on one that doesnt have the wrap. I think it helps reduce the heat about 30%. You are right it does not take it all away but it does help, especially in warmer climates like Florida, Arizona, Texas..
You get heat from the left side also, i think its caused more from the fan blowing the hot air on us instead of routing it away like BMW does, but that would take fairings etc..
Also i have not had any problems with the header pipe getting weak. I did end up having to use hose clamps on the heat shields because the heat shield brackets wouldnt fit anymore.
Removing the CAT helps reduce the heat coming from the motor, as well as riding without the windshield.. the windshield seems to keep the hot air in a pocket right around the rider and not circulate on by..
Good luck.