[db2022cs]

So, I got headers installed about a month ago now with a tune and E85. When the headers were installed they also installed MSD wires for the spark plugs. After a couple weeks I took it to the Tail of the Dragon and did some runs so I definitely put some heat into them. While I was there, I never smelled anything out of the ordinary. A weekend later I was driving normally and I started smelling a burning plastic smell. It looks like the portion of the steering shaft that has a plastic cover has started to melt. I had brought a question up to the installer who works on a lot of Camaro's and Corvettes about any precautions to take for the increase in heat from headers. They said they haven't had any issues other than spark plug wires which I had getting replaced with upgraded ones. I asked on the Facebook group and after filtering through 80% of the BS responses some have said it's a cover and cut off the burning plastic piece and others have suggested using some sort of heat wrap. Any suggestions on what to do with the extra heat? Am I going to have to bite the bullet and have the headers pulled off and wrapped or can I just cover up spots I can reach with some exhaust wrap or DEI gold tape? Thanks in advance.

[Megahurtz]

What brand headers? Speed Engineering?

[Joshinator99]

Hate to sound like a broken record, but I’d never install headers on this car without ceramic coating or wrapping…

[6spdhyperblue]

I had tsp 2” wrapped with msd wires at pocono. They worked without issue

[db2022cs]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

Hate to sound like a broken record, but I’d never install headers on this car without ceramic coating or wrapping…

Yeah, I took the word of the installer saying there wouldn't be any issues. Guess that is on me. Looks like I'll have to take it easy until I can get it back to a shop to have them pulled off and wrapped and done the right way. If that is going to be done, is the heat shield on the starter fine or should I look at a a DEI heat shield since the headers will probably be off anyways? Thanks for the responses. Love the headers and E85 besides this annoying issue.

[6spdhyperblue]

Get them coated

[AZIROC]

I'm guessing the headers aren't coated?? I'm a firm believe since the late 90s that coated headers are well worth the extra few $100. I've just never been a fan of wrapped headers either. Imo, if the headers have to come off, see if you have a place local that can coat them.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

Hate to sound like a broken record, but I’d never install headers on this car without ceramic coating or wrapping…

Originally Posted by 6spdhyperblue

Get them coated

Originally Posted by AZIROC

I'm guessing the headers aren't coated?? I'm a firm believe since the late 90s that coated headers are well worth the extra few $100. I've just never been a fan of wrapped headers either. Imo, if the headers have to come off, see if you have a place local that can coat them.

x4

My headers are coated and never had any temp issues, they're reasonably but not excessively hot, and the engine bay area around them (wires and everything) looks pristine.

[Megahurtz]

You don't need to coat quality stainless(high end stainless) headers that fit properly such as kooks and ARH.

The rest.......yeah you get what you get.


While is does make everyone feel good when they coat their headers, it's unnecessary for 99% of the cars on the street. There is a place for it but a bolt on or cammed Camaro SS or ZL1 isn't one of them. It does not help performance either at the street car level. Pair them with a set of MSD plug wires that you can shape to the angle that you need, and you never have to worry about burnt plug wires either.

[RideWithDanger]

Even with Kooks headers you should get them coated. It keeps everything cooler in the engine bay, which helps performance as well. Not to mention it helps avoid issues like this as well. You can get DEI boots over the wires but coating the headers is the best option.

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by RideWithDanger

Even with Kooks headers you should get them coated. It keeps everything cooler in the engine bay, which helps performance as well. Not to mention it helps avoid issues like this as well. You can get DEI boots over the wires but coating the headers is the best option.

Agreed. That passenger side wiring harness is a disaster if that gets melted so ceramic coating is a no brainer.

[s346k]

i put 25k miles over a course of 3 years on my (uncoated/unwrapped) speed engineering 2" headers. the plastic collar on the steering shaft melted and deformed a bit. the car made countless high speed pulls, sat in 100* weather creeping in traffic for several hours year after year on the hot rod power tour. 0 issues.

however i am not a fan of msd plug wires. i initially installed a set that ended up burnt from heat, no contact. i replaced them with granatelli wires, wish i had done that to start with.

[Megahurtz]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

Agreed. That passenger side wiring harness is a disaster if that gets melted so ceramic coating is a no brainer.

The wiring harness should be moved regardless of header coating or not. We've done countless uncoated header installs and have never burned the harness.

Originally Posted by s346k

i put 25k miles over a course of 3 years on my (uncoated/unwrapped) speed engineering 2" headers. the plastic collar on the steering shaft melted and deformed a bit. the car made countless high speed pulls, sat in 100* weather creeping in traffic for several hours year after year on the hot rod power tour. 0 issues.

however i am not a fan of msd plug wires. i initially installed a set that ended up burnt from heat, no contact. i replaced them with granatelli wires, wish i had done that to start with.

I would attribute that to the Speed Engineering header collector angle along with improper boot shaping when install on the spark plug side. We never have issues with MSD wires with uncoated ARH and Kooks headers.

[6spdhyperblue]

My biggest concern is wear and tear from the heat on the starter circuit