What is the proper way to header-wrap a pipe?

[Dogmeat]

Ok, I tried doing this myself twice last year, and both times the wrap came totally off and I wound up just wasting a bunch of money on it ...

I bought 1 1/2" wide rap, and used ~75 feet of it for my M pipe.

I soaked the wrap in water before applying it and put it on wet. I used hose clamps about every 8" on the pipe to keep it on, then let it dry overnight.

I came back the next morning and spray painted high-temp silicon sealant on it.

After one ride, it was already unraveling both times.

Could it just have been that I used cheap crappy wrap? What is the best wrap to use and what is the proper procedure to apply it?

 

[Jonce]

Did you keep the hose clamps on or take them off?

I used safety wire on my turbo exhaust wrap. Never came off and worked good. Installed the wrap wet and let it dry over night, just like you did.

 

[440dart]

I used it for a lil while on my twins worked good until i was in deep powder the wrap would get soaked and make steam my sled would run like crap. Just a thought

 

[Dogmeat]

Did you keep the hose clamps on or take them off?

I used safety wire on my turbo exhaust wrap. Never came off and worked good. Installed the wrap wet and let it dry over night, just like you did.

I left the hose clamps on but perhaps that safety wire is a better deal. Much less intrusive and you can put more on it on.

What brand wrap did you use? Did you spray it with the high-temp silicone sealent as well?

 

[SaskRMK]

I would only heat wrap if you NEED it
I feel its completely unnecessary unless you have something like a dump pipe near your foot well or in other turbo setup situations

People will argue it lowers under hood temps but it also will absorb water and release steam into your clutches and intake

 

[Dogmeat]

I would only heat wrap if you NEED it
I feel its completely unnecessary unless you have something like a dump pipe near your foot well or in other turbo setup situations

People will argue it lowers under hood temps but it also will absorb water and release steam into your clutches and intake

I'm gonna put the BD turbo pipe on my sled soon, the general thought from what I read on it was that it was an improvement to wrap the pipe to keep it hotter.

If you spray the wrap with the silicon sealant do you still get that trouble? When I did mine last year the issue I had wasn't steam it was the wrap unraveling.....

 

[kcdavidak]

wrap

i used cool-tec header wrap and spray from napa, i think a common mistake is people soak the wrap instead of moisten or dampen . cool-tec says DO NOT SOAK.

 

[speedytoes]

Soak it? No. I applied mine dry. I hose clamped the start. Wrapped VERY tightly, overlapping 50% (so always two layers thick). And hose clamped the end. Never any sign of loosening.

Now, mind you, I was using chemical engineering quality wrap, rather than "snowmobile quality," but I doubt that there's much difference.

Chris

 

[Jonce]

I left the hose clamps on but perhaps that safety wire is a better deal. Much less intrusive and you can put more on it on.

What brand wrap did you use? Did you spray it with the high-temp silicone sealent as well?

I don't remember the brand, just got it from the local auto parts store. I didn't spray the high-temp silicone sealant either.

When applying, I used a water bottle sprayer to moisten the wrap during installation.

 

[4Z]

I soaked mine, wrapped it tight (50% overlap). I only wrapped my twins from the mid belly to the head pipe though. Noticed if I started from the belly and worked my way down, it produced a nicer wrap. Had to start over several times until I got the hang of it.... Was easier to hang the pipe from the stinger end and work my way down.

In my second season and no issues. I did use hose clamps and DEI high temp spray sealer. About 3 cans total. Very happy with the out come.

Disclaimer: from the desk of a non-professional, results may vary....

 

[MSU]

I actually took a heavy needle and actually sew the layers together with saftey wire. Just like most of the other guys I went from the head to mid pipe. Works great and help with cold spots when in deep powder. Also if you check with your dirt bike shop they make stainless steel clamps for 2 stroke bikes. I know they come in a 8" and 14" length

 

[jeepin270]

I soaked mine in a bucket of water and wrapped the whole pipe, really tight. My hands were pretty sore after. It came out real nice for something I had nvr done before. I sprayed a can of the silicone spray on after. It smoked pretty bad for a little while but stopped. I think the stuff I issued was dei and I used some of 6or8in ducting clamps, big hose clamps. I would post a pic but I can't figure out to upload from my phone