I just bought a catless downpipe, is there any benefit to heat wrapping it?

 

it will reduce the radiant heat from the down pipe and theoretically increase exhaust flow as the air retains the heat(less dense) allowing it to move faster. The reduction in heat is the main benefit on a car with as tight of engine bay as we have. I plan on getting my down pipe coated by swain-tech which from what I read, is one of the better ceramic coatings available. The coating would provide the same benefits but is not as convenient nor as cheap as header/exhaust wrap.

 

Ceramic coating/heat wrap is very beneficial for our cars. With the intake right over the downpipe and exhaust, eliminating radiant heat not only increases air flow, but also reduces heat in the intake and reduces wear and tear due to heat. I would consider ceramic coating as it shouldn't be too much more than good heat wrap and you will not get some of the problems associated with heat wrap (such as it retaining water and damaging the DP)

 

Serious question, if its not as convenient or cheap as wrap but performs the same, then what is the benefit? Is it just aesthetically pleasing? I had an exhaust depot DP that was wrapped.

 

re-read the post just before yours ^. Depending on your environment, wraps can retain moisture. And over a period of time can result in damage. But again, just depends on your local environment.

 

I heat wrapped mine with DEI titanium. Partly just to not put the lower heat shield on.

 

+100000000000

I don't ever want to touch those heatshields again.

 

I'm in the middle of swapping out downpipes as well. my new downpipe is ceramic coated and I'm considering not putting the heatsheilds back on.

I've seen some pictures on here of melted valve covers due to not running the turbo heat shield, which makes sense if your tubo is not coated as well.

QUESTION: has anyone ran w/o their heat shields for a prolonged time and which shields did you leave off?

 

I wrapped my downpipe twice then re-installed it without the lower heatshields but I did re-install the turbo heatshield. I've been running it like this for probably 8,000 miles no issues yet.

 

Exactly what I did on my 2010, I had an exhaust depot downpipe that was already wrapped. I didnt put the heat shields back on, I might of even left the turbo one off but I cant remember. Ran it for around 50,000 miles with no issues that I knew of