Has anyone installed cool wrap or some other exhaust wrap on their header (preferably London Stainless or Miltec)? If so, did you notice any difference? Any dyno info on doing this? Any SWAG's at what kind of benefit this might produce in terms of HP?
I've heard some complain that header wrap can make headers brittle and or wear out faster. Would this also be true of stainless steel headers?

Seems that it could greatly improve under-the-hood, er, um, bonnet temps, which should make the intercooler/supercharger happy on an MCS. Thanks.

Cheers,
MinMax

 

I had considered the exhaust wrap on the headers or ceramic coating but I wonder if this is really necessary given the London Stainless product.

From the London Stainless site:
http://www.racecar.co.uk/quicksilvermini/
The ultimate in Mini exhaust technology. The original manifold has four short primaries and a restrictive collector followed by two catalytic convertors in series. These catalytic convertors have cores with about 500 cells per square inch (cpsi) giving a flow area of approx 60%. The Quicksilver manifold and Sports Cat has four longer tuned-length primaries followed by a single free-flow Catalytic convertor. This Cat has a microscopically thin Fecralloy metallic core of 200 cpsi to which the essential Platinum and Rhodium are applied at a much greater density (25 grams per cubic foot compared to 10 grams on a typical aftermarket product). This all results in a flow area of approx 85% whilst remaining clean enough to meet emissions requirements.

Key features include:

Dyno tests show a 12 bhp improvement and increased mid-range torque.
The Fecralloy metallic core is very durable, far more so than the ceramic cores typically used.
This incorporates a triple-wall flexible section to a much higher specification than the twin-wall OE item - To allow for the greater loads imposed by a tuned engine.
Accelerated gas-flow draws heat away more efficiently to reduce under-bonnet temperatures - particularly important for a tuned engine.
The two original Lambda sensors are retained in their correct position for the proper operation of the OBD2 (on board diagnostics) system.

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If you read the above description then I would think I would need to see how the wrap would make any improvement before I would add it.
I don't think we have seen much dyno numbers for any of the headers so far.

 

I haven't put a header on the MINI yet, but I did do a header wrap on my previous ride (Porsche 944). The wrap is a bit time consuming to put on (~3hours while off the car. Don't even think about it while the header is on the car.) but the results are very good.
The header is more efficient as the gases pass through quicker (because they stay hotter within the header) and the resulting reduction of underhood temps is amazing. I could hold my hand about 3-4 inches from the header with minimal discomfort after a 100 mile drive. This stuff is amazing.
I've never tried or seen the jet coating, but the header wrap is about $50 in total plus your time. Definitely worth the investment IMHO.