Anyone who installed headers use a heat shield or wrap? If yes, what did you use? Is it at all necessary?

Thanks.

 

bump, NE1?

 

I used the Thermo-tec header blanket.

Thermo-Tec

It definitely helps keep the brakes from fading.

 

If you do use header wrap make sure you have SS headers. The wrap holds in moisture and will rot your headers. I had the Thermo-tec wrap on a camaro and it wasn't pretty. IMO not worth the trouble for a daily driver anyway. I've also heard of header cracking from the extra heat.

 

Good points! I was thinking the exact same thing as I read the thread.

 

Thanks. Why would the brakes fade? They're relatively far away.
OK, now for the newbie question, are aftermarket headers any hotter than stock??? I could see that maybe they get closer to certain objects which could be bad.

Oh yeah, I ordered SS headers.

 

bump.

 

If you drive for an extended period of time. The headers will generate so much heat they will soak into the break lines and fade your brakes. The brake lines and fuel lines are inches away on the passenger side header.

 

Wouldn't the stock headers do the same?

 

The stock cast iron manifolds retain more of the heat because there is less surface area for it to dissipate. Plus there are heat shields over the manifolds that won't fit over headers.

 

Then how about wrapping the brake lines instead?

 

I ended up wrapping the brake and fuels lines up also. Its easier to do except my wrap kept falling off. So I used the thermotec header blanket to also cover both the headers and the brake and fuel lines.

 

Good info, thanks guys!