Wrapping BBK headers after installed? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

greycamarollt · 06-12-2019, 10:26 PM

I finally got ceramic BBK headers on my LLT V6, which the ceramic didn't really seem to retain the heat and now looking it cooking my camaro's computer when it is idling for long periods like say a few stop lights. I don't get codes at highway speeds.

I was thinking wrapping the headers with the titanium heat wraps then put a header blanket over the wrapped headers. Overdoing it? I read the wrap reduce the life of the headers but rather change them instead of all the wiring. Yeah I know take the headers off then wrap them... They were such pain on the passenger side to install. Am I crazy to try wrap them bolted to the engine?

StingrayblueSS · 06-13-2019, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greycamarollt

I finally got ceramic BBK headers on my LLT V6, which the ceramic didn't really seem to retain the heat and now looking it cooking my camaro's computer when it is idling for long periods like say a few stop lights. I don't get codes at highway speeds.

I was thinking wrapping the headers with the titanium heat wraps then put a header blanket over the wrapped headers. Overdoing it? I read the wrap reduce the life of the headers but rather change them instead of all the wiring. Yeah I know take the headers off then wrap them... They were such pain on the passenger side to install. Am I crazy to try wrap them bolted to the engine?

No need to wrap them if they're ceramic coated.

hrpiii · 06-13-2019, 12:18 PM

What issues are you seeing that you are trying to address? If it is ceramic coated, it should be good. Even stock, you wouldn't have any issues so have you done other work to the engine to need this extra coating?

LsxDoctor · 06-13-2019, 12:23 PM

Cooking your computer? Please explain...
Honestly no need to wrap them. Everything under the hood was made to handle heat.

GodWentPunk · 06-13-2019, 01:54 PM

If they are ceramic coated, then that should be good for heat reduction. Are you 100% sure they are coated??

joe...

greycamarollt · 06-13-2019, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GodWentPunk

If they are ceramic coated, then that should be good for heat reduction. Are you 100% sure they are coated??

joe...

I had to pay $100 more for BBK ceramic headers, got these from JEGS. When the stock manifolds and heat shields were there I don't recall having that much in the engine bay.

greycamarollt · 06-13-2019, 10:39 PM

had i known the temp would be similar i would just save the $100 for a header heat blanket

Rock-It Man · 06-14-2019, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LsxDoctor

Cooking your computer? Please explain...
Honestly no need to wrap them. Everything under the hood was made to handle heat.

Umm...no. There are numerous reports of melted electronics from headers.

And why do you suppose the original manifolds have heat shields?

Greenhornet2 · 06-14-2019, 12:03 PM

I might be more apt to see if you can fab a little heat shield if the Computer is close to them and getting direct heat off them. I am not familiar with the V6's tho. Otherwise I suppose I would wrap them.

LsxDoctor · 06-14-2019, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

Umm...no. There are numerous reports of melted electronics from headers.

And why do you suppose the original manifolds have heat shields?

Manifolds hold way more heat than headers, especially ceramic coated. This is over kill. Show me one 5th gen camaro with melted electronics due to installing headers...

DJ_BigC · 06-14-2019, 10:46 PM

I second that post. Most commonly I’ve seen oxygen sensor wiring melt due to poor installation/not being cautious enough with securing the wiring away from the header aside from that i’ve never seen one “electronic” component melt from headers.. that just barbaric. To be clear Im talking about 5th gen Camaro’s before I get roasted by keyboard wizards.

rontammy0 · 06-14-2019, 10:53 PM

Zero issues with heat from headers. The BBKs are steel headers with a ceramic coating I think. Does the wrap hold moisture?

greycamarollt · 06-16-2019, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LsxDoctor

Manifolds hold way more heat than headers, especially ceramic coated. This is over kill. Show me one 5th gen camaro with melted electronics due to installing headers...

I absolutely agree those cast iron manifolds really held in the heat, the headers seem to act as radiators for heat, I almost felt that I lost hp because by the time exhaust gets to the tail pipe most of the heat lost in the engine bay.

Quicksilver2SS · 06-16-2019, 01:01 PM

Wrapping the headers will rust them

06-12-2019, 10:26 PM	#1
greycamarollt Drives: 2010 Camaro V6 LLT Join Date: May 2019 Location: Jersey Posts: 9	Wrapping BBK headers after installed? I finally got ceramic BBK headers on my LLT V6, which the ceramic didn't really seem to retain the heat and now looking it cooking my camaro's computer when it is idling for long periods like say a few stop lights. I don't get codes at highway speeds. I was thinking wrapping the headers with the titanium heat wraps then put a header blanket over the wrapped headers. Overdoing it? I read the wrap reduce the life of the headers but rather change them instead of all the wiring. Yeah I know take the headers off then wrap them... They were such pain on the passenger side to install. Am I crazy to try wrap them bolted to the engine?

06-13-2019, 12:23 PM	#4
LsxDoctor 15 Year LS1Tech Member Drives: 2010 ss 391ci LS3 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 252	Cooking your computer? Please explain... Honestly no need to wrap them. Everything under the hood was made to handle heat. __________________ GJDM

06-13-2019, 01:54 PM	#5
GodWentPunk Drives: 2015 2SS White Convertible CE/INDY Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lockport, IL Posts: 780 View My Garage	If they are ceramic coated, then that should be good for heat reduction. Are you 100% sure they are coated?? joe... __________________ ARH LTH/HFC/Legato muffler, RDP Custom Tune, K&N Blackhawk CAI, Bigworm Blackout kit, ZL1 Rims, Phantom Grills, VMAX PTB

06-14-2019, 10:46 PM	#11
DJ_BigC Rockin' Steady Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Timmins Posts: 216	I second that post. Most commonly I’ve seen oxygen sensor wiring melt due to poor installation/not being cautious enough with securing the wiring away from the header aside from that i’ve never seen one “electronic” component melt from headers.. that just barbaric. To be clear Im talking about 5th gen Camaro’s before I get roasted by keyboard wizards. __________________ Eric Carrier, proud GM Technician for over 10yrs. 2010 Camaro 2SS Black, L99, SLP headers, GMPP axle back, complete JRE tune, 22" Boss 337's, Nitto Invos 5% tint, Eforce Supercharger w. 3" pulley, ADM FPCM, ID850's, JRE fuel rail mod, Eforce CAI, Moroso catch can, spark plug insulators.

06-16-2019, 01:01 PM	#14
Quicksilver2SS Drives: 2SS/RS LS3 NPP Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sacramento Posts: 227	Wrapping the headers will rust them __________________ Taylor 409's, BF Comp 2's, Z26 pads, Hurst billet shifter

06-13-2019, 12:18 PM	#3
hrpiii AKA "Beefcake" Drives: 2023 ZL1 Sharkskin Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indy Posts: 8,529	What issues are you seeing that you are trying to address? If it is ceramic coated, it should be good. Even stock, you wouldn't have any issues so have you done other work to the engine to need this extra coating?

06-13-2019, 10:39 PM	#7
greycamarollt Drives: 2010 Camaro V6 LLT Join Date: May 2019 Location: Jersey Posts: 9	had i known the temp would be similar i would just save the $100 for a header heat blanket

06-14-2019, 12:03 PM	#9
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	I might be more apt to see if you can fab a little heat shield if the Computer is close to them and getting direct heat off them. I am not familiar with the V6's tho. Otherwise I suppose I would wrap them.

06-14-2019, 10:53 PM	#12
rontammy0 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 2SS/ RS INFERNO ORANGE L99 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alliston Ontario Canada Posts: 9,057 View My Garage	Zero issues with heat from headers. The BBKs are steel headers with a ceramic coating I think. Does the wrap hold moisture?