Especially in high performance engines, under-hood temperatures can have an impact on motor performance and component life. In today's modern times, there are a selection of products available to guard motor components which will aid to isolate and control the damaging effects of heat. Chief among these thermal control products is exhaust wrap.

Exhaust wrap is created to wrap close to motor exhaust manifolds or headers to reduce the heat transfer from headers. This alone can reduce under-hood temperatures by nearly 50% or better.

Before wrapping any exhaust headers, the motor will need to be totally awesome and properly secured from rolling or lowering if up on a lift or jack stands. The installer will need to wear long sleeves and wear safety glasses.

While there are a selection of makers distributing exhaust wrap, most exhaust header products on the industry are installed the same way. Starting on the closest exhaust pipe to the engine, the product is wrapped close to each exhaust pipe and overlapping no more then one-quarter of an inch. If the installer has difficult bends in the exhaust header to conform to, wetting the exhaust wrap generally will make the job much easier. In some situations the exhaust pipes will be too difficult to wrap because of the proximity to each other. If this occurs, wrap two pipes with each other using the same one-quarter inch overlap. This procedure will need to be taken and the wrap terminated on the exhaust tip. Ends will need to be secured with high temperature rated stainless metal ties.

A high temperature silicone spray coating is employed on many of the exhaust wrap products on the market. This protective coating will guard wraps from dirt, grime and street debris. If the exhaust wrap product an installer uses needs silicone spray, it will need to be used. This will extend the life of the wrap and aid to maintain its appearance.

After a vehicle's exhaust have been properly wrapped, and any silicone spray properly cured, the vehicle may possibly be driven. The newly wrapped exhaust header wrap will smoke on 1st use. This smoke is totally normal. An motor running at working temperature for an hour or two is all that it takes for the smoke to dissipate, having said that some residual odors may possibly be observed by the occupants of the auto for some time afterwards. It's best to break in the header wrap using the house windows of the vehicle closed and any vents closed.