as title says...

whats the best wire to use to wrap round headers to keep heat wrap on?

tx

 

Motorsport lockwire, get it on eBay with a set of proper lockwire pliers for about £15. Some people use mig welding wire but it's not as good.

 

I use an aircraft grade stainless steel lockwire and some stainless metal tie wraps. Here is the decat pipe that I wrapped.

 

Dude.... tidy up!

 

I know its a mess isnt it, only have a tiny workshop so it gets a bit cluttered at times

 

Have you done a few layers there?

 

here is my efforts

as above, locking wire is best and locking pliers make the job alot easyer

 

Very nice. What wrap did you use and where do you get the wire from?

 

Stainless steel ball lock ties have loads pm me for price

 

Just the single layer but qute a large overlap. Not as tidy as Ian's but did the job.

 

Well looks good matey

Might be a dumb question but is there any fear of headers going pop having not been able to expell the heat?

 

Dont think so, the heat is kept in the gas so flows better. I think the biggest problem can be water sitting under the wrapping, I sprayed mine with DEI silicone spray to give it a bit extra protection ( my photo is before I sprayed it ).

 

i dont think so

 

cool!

 

The wire I use is stainless steel locking wire "Goodridge" www.goodridge.net available from A S Performance and others. 302 Grade Stainless .032" or .81mm. I did try a thinner grade but it broke too easily.
Lockwire pliers and snips or side cutters as above.

To a point, the more ties the better.
I think steel tie bands are too expensive for frequent use.
The reason for twisting the tie wire end is to prevent it sitting proud of the wrap because when you come to fit the headers or uppipe it is very easy to stab yourself with the cut end.
DEI comes with a stitching down the side to show the overlap which helps economise on the amount of wrap used. Double wrapping is not required and discouraged.

Just out of interest, if you put the Titanium / Lava Rock / whatever they call it wrap up to the light and gently stretch it you can see light through it quite easily and if you can see light through it the heat will dissipate very easily. This is borne out by some of the tests we have done so despite the glossy advertising, I continue to use the buff DEI heat wrap as it appears to have far better thermal qualities following our own testing.
I might be able to find the photographs taken during testing.

 

Does Dawn not mind you leaving "wrapping fluff" all over the front room carpet Harvey

 

No. These were in the workshop but she does object to oil on the kitchen floor