Exhaust Insulation

[dreed]

I'm about to fit the exhaust system, I've read in the magazines about insulation wrap.

I don't intend to race my car, maybe the odd track day just to see how fast I can go, will use it mostly for 'pleasure'.

Do I need it or is it a nice to have. Is Europa the best place to buy it.

Another question on exhausts, mine is from the Westfield factory for the 1800 Zetec, its a dull grey in colour is it possible to put a shine on it. I don't want to start rubbing away at it only to make it look worse.

From Dave

[neilwillis]

Insulation will mean the heat in the pipe moves further along, raising the temperature of the silencer.   Unless you need to boost performance by lowering the temperature under the bonnet, I'd not insulate.   If a passenger touched the exhaust getting out of the car after a blat, they could get a nasty burn.

Just my humble opinion, but worth considering.

[JonnyBoy]

I got my exhaust on the polishing wheel at my old school...it took ages to get any decent finish, but it soon got dull again..

I've spent the whole weekend cleaning up my car and spent an hour doing the exhaust pipes (external) with a dremmel, 2cm polishing wheel and some autosol....real slow going but a bl**dy good shine!

seems like a bad service from westfield IMO...expesive pipes that arent even properly finished.....send them back and get some better ones from other recommended sources...thats what i'll be doing next time!

[dreed]

Thanks for the advice, didn't fancy the idea of fitting it anyway.

I'll give it a go with the polishing wheel, if it feels like too hard a job, I'll stick with the well worn in look.

Dave

[Mickie C]

Just to add my 2p's worth.  I've recently fitted exhaust wrap to the manifold, not for asthetic (spelling?) reasons but to reduce the temp in the passenger footwell.......maybe something to consider.

Mike

[dreed]

Thanks Mickie C, hadn't thought about that either.

Majority of the time the passenger will be my wife, she usually complains about her feet being cold, so this could be an added bonus.

Can't complain too much here, she's also a member!

[Nick M]

Rather than using exhaust wrap, have a look at getting the exhaust ceramic coated by Camcoat.  Do a google search for them and you should find their site.

I had my manifold done by them and a) it's more durable than dull stainless and b) it helps keep temperatures down in the engine bay.  It also allows you to touch the exhaust not long after the engine has been turned off which is great if you need to work on the engine, etc.

Bank on about GBP150 to get the manifold coated inside and out.

[fordy]

Does it need to be coated 'inside' aswell as out for insulation reasons or some other reason ??

Also, they do a 'chrome' colour - does this really look like chrome??

(was thinking about getting mine done - purley for cosmetic reasons, but the insualation benefit would be cool (sorry for the pun) as my engine mounting is right next to the manifold and it dont last long!!

Thanks

Chris

[neilwillis]

You learn something new every visit......

[Nick M]

If it's coated inside and out then it helps the heat insulation process even more - 2 layers are better than 1 I suppose.

They can, however, only do new unused manifolds inside but they can do the outside of any manifold.

I've seen someone do a DIY job of the Cermachrome and it looked OK but does need touching up every now and then.  I'd say it's more like silver powder coating than a truly chrome finish.  

The best results are from when it's done professionally though - they clean and prepare the surface so the coating adheres that much better.

[hilux]

Can coating needs to be done internally with brand new exhaust, cant be coated (internally) once sooty