Hotshot Headers cause engine damage

[apzak]

Do hotshot headers cause engine damage? When they are installed, the heatsheild must be removed. I know that the Porsche 911 with the 2.7L engine last 50k miles because the catalytic converter is right under the cylenders, so to heat from the cat decreeses engine life. Because there is no heatsheild on the headers, will the additional heat cause damage to my ka24de? I'm going to get used HS headers this weekend from Structure240sx at a great price and he will help me install them, but I would like to know if I should get heat wrap for the headers, and if it's worth it. Will it realy make a difference? Two things to think about regarding the heat destroying engine thing:

1.) The Porsche has a flat engine, so the head was right above the cat, and the cat generates heat to burn up exhaust polutants.

2.) The Porsche's engine is air-cooled while 240sx's are water cooled.

Soo, do I have anything to worry about regarding the extra heat I'm going to have in my engine bay because the heatsheild from the stock headers won't be used because it won't fit hs headers? Should I get thermowrap or whatever it is, and if so could I install that after the headers are installed whenever I get more money or could it only be installed on the header once the header is off?

[Just another 240]

don't know if it's true, but i heard those wrapping things for exhaust header are a bad thing for it because they keep all the heat in the pipe now you're messing up the pipe.

[Cyberkreig]

I dont know, I'm gonna search to find out for sure. There was a thread on here that talked about heatwrap. Someone was saying that wrapping the exhaust keeps the heat in the exhaust gas, making it flow better. something to do with gases in the excited state, blah blah, physics.

[Phax]

don't know if it's true, but i heard those wrapping things for exhaust header are a bad thing for it because they keep all the heat in the pipe now you're messing up the pipe.

To a certain extent, this is true. Especially if you're getting a piece which has been cast out of low quality steel, or even iron. If the header is high quality to begin with, heat wrapping can keep the temperature down. Though these days, if you're getting a high quality header, odds are you're also getting it powder coated, which is the best way to keep it cool and add an extra level of strengthening.

[daniel240]

actually they say that the HS header keeps the engine bay cooler because of the material and coating.

[Just another 240]

ok we all heading out different direction here now..lolz