managing heat under the hood

[ryan@jcg]

As we know, when it comes to making power, friction, and heat in particular, is the last thing you want creeping around your engine bay. There are quite a few options available to keep your engine temperatures in check. Ceramic coatings, heat shielding, and header wraps are all viable options, but exhaust wraps in particular offer unparalleled ease of use, as well as practicality.

In addition to reductions in engine temps, one could expect to see a small but measurable increase in power as exhaust gases escape the chamber more quickly. Turbocharged vehicles, in particular, can expect to see a reduction in turbo lag, allowing power to come in sooner.

Naturally, decreased engine temps equate to lower intake temps and an increase in air density. Sensitive components like electrical connections, brake lines, and fuel lines will also be safer, and as an added bonus, those who enjoy working on their own vehicles will notice wrapped headers are much more forgiving when touched.

When choosing which product works best for your particular application, there are a few things to take into consideration. First, all materials are not created equally. Fiberglass, silica based, and lava rock wraps will have different characteristics that may affect how it is applied, susceptibility to fatigue, and limitations of use.

Here, at JCG Restoration and Customs, we use fiberglass based wraps for our naturally aspirated builds requiring additional heat management. When working with turbocharged vehicles that will see higher exhaust gas temperatures, the thicker lava rock based wraps may prove to be more beneficial as some are rated up to 2500 degrees fahrenheit.

Ultimately, the best decision you can make is to refer to your exhaust manufacturer's recommendation to ensure you are taking the necessary precautions while not subjecting your parts to undue stress in the process.

Want to take things a step further? We offer thermal shielding and components that will ensure you are taking full advantage of the efficiency your engine has to offer.

If you need a hand getting this done, enquire at [email protected] We offer direct fit components as well as custom options.









Ryan Nolan
JCG Engineering Engineering, Inc.
JCG Restoration & Customs, Inc.
www.jcgrestorationandcustoms.com
805-794-6580
@jcg_restoration