Header wrap questions

[ProfessorX5]

Knowing how some people wrap their headers for better exhaust flow, I was wondering whether it's worth the trouble for the X. Also,

1. Is it feasible to wrap them in place? (I really don't want to have to remove)
2. Would I need to coat the header with anything to keep out condensation?
3. If I do have to remove them, is doing so complicated?

[motordavid]

Unless you are simply looking for under hood time, I can't imagine it would offer any benefit to a stock 3.0...
Spend the money on lotto tix and buy your spouse or fam something on Boxing Day.
GL, mD

[tmv]

Spend $ on the maintenance first, then start doing the mod. Unless you put a S/C on there, forget those little performance mods which don't have much return if any.
At 273k km ~ 169k miles, depend on the history:
- Cooling system overhaul
- Vanos seals
- DISA valve upgrade
- VCG, Spark plugs
- Pre-cat O2 sensor
- Suspension overhaul
- All fluid and filters
After those, I'll look into mods if I want to.

[bcredliner]

The HP gain on even a highly modified engine are minimal. There can be some benefit from less heat under the hood but that has nothing to do with performance unless it reduced the temp of the air going into the engine. The downside are the claims that other than on stainless headers the wrap promotes rust. If you want to keep more of the heat inside you could spray the headers with ceramic header paint. Instead I would find out the best way to increase HP without losing any torque from other 3.0 owners. My guess would be reducing the exhaust back pressure some would be the best return on investment.

[ProfessorX5]

Hmm... good points ... back t the drawing board.

[J.Belknap]

The headers are double wall construction.

[Brandon002]

and FYI, it doesn't increase exhaust flow. It simply helps lower under hood temps.

[ProfessorX5]

Heh, those sneaky little marketers.

[RFaber]

Header wraps have a high LCF (Look Cool Factor) and they do allow for the hot exhaust to retain a bit (few degrees!) of heat enroute to the Cats. Cats work best when hot, so do the O2 sensors, as for any power increase, not really, maybe theoretically, but as for a real world butt dyno not so much! If i were running a turbo set up, i would wrap any exhaust pipe I could, mostly to keep under hood temps down.
Wrapped headers are nice when working on hot engines an accidental brush of the hand doesnt turn into a third degree burn every time!!
short answer, if you have to pull out the header for any reason, why not wrap it up before reinstalling. If you have the header in place, and dont have a need to pull it out any time soon, just leave it there, and go spend time with the wife and kids.!

[z168]

point has been made by the others. But just to add - keep in mind were prone to oil leaks. And there are reports header wraps have been known to cause fires so ceramic coating is the safer route