Exhaust Wrap
A: Using exhaust wrap on those pipes should work out well. Be sure to do a practice run going by the O2 sensors. It can be a challenge to keep the wrap uniform going past those areas.
Related Videos: Exhaust Install
Discussion
18 Responses to “Exhaust Wrap”
wrapping exhaust pipes also retains heat to your motor, so be careful about what you wish for bro, butt a cool crotch beats hot nuts.
Wouldn’t exhaust wrap increase motor temperature by locking in some of the heat and not allowing it to escape?
I did mine, I just wrapped the area where the cat is located and it did cut down on some heat. 2013 SG
I was informed that wrapping can also prematurely degrade the exhaust as the wrap (if it gets wet) actually retains water for some time (unless run until dry).
Correct, the pipes can corrode prematurely. Aside from the cosmetic appearance of the wraps (if you happen to like that look…I don’t) there is no significant performance gain or difference using exhaust wrap. And after a while it gets raggedy and looks like crap.
The wrap has tow aspects that need to be addressed. 1st. Increased heat in the pipes means higher flow of gas, Higher flow means higher pressure and might be the cause of backfire problems. 2nd. You need to address the air flow as well given the faster flow of gases exiting the engine.
Buy, or make, an exhaust head pipe that has the catalytic converter removed. I did that and all my heat problems went away, sounds better and did not cause problems with the O2 sensors. Unless you remove the heat shields, you don’t have much room to wrap the pipes anyway. Good luck.
Frank, If I remove the catalytic guts and reinstall back on my bike would you need to remap the bike.
Buzzy : No because the sniffers are in front of the cat
If the cat converter is removed, do you have to have the bike remapped?
Hi, Ken. It should not be necessary if you only removed the cat. If you change air cleaner assembly or exhaust, you should look into adding more fuel.
http://www.fixmyhog.com/video/vance-and-hines-product-review-007293/
http://www.fixmyhog.com/video/vance-and-hines-fuelpak-3-install-007295/
If I ever purchase a bike with a cat the cat would be the first thing to go the second would be the stock mufflers. I have some pipe wrap on my bike. I put it there as a heat shield to keep from buying my pants and shoes up. I live and ride far enough north that heat isn’t an issue.
Ticket 23035 How would wrapping open shotgun pipes on a big twin 1200 shovelhead effect performance?
Dear Tim,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
It will not end effect performance
https://www.fixmyhog.com/video/how-to-search-fix-my-hog-008641/
https://www.fixmyhog.com/video/welcome-to-fix-my-hog-site-review-008131/
https://www.fixmyhog.com/video-index/
Sincerely,
Mark
Fix My Hog Video Membership
both my bikes, a “98” 1200S sportster and 2012 deluxe have wrapped exhaust. never any problems, temp. around engines reduced, legs cooler, oil temps down and water is gone in 5 minutes riding. was able to put heatshields back on the deluxe and are cool to the touch in 20 minutes. keeps heat in the pipes.
i wrapped my 2013 Fat Bob thinking it would cool me down…NOT ONE BIT…as a matter of fat I believe that the wrap made things worse.
I removed the cat from my 2010 Limited and noticed a big difference. Did not have to remap. Still getting heat but am considering have my head pipe ceramic coated to reduce the heat as well.
Friends, I have read in several places that “Heat Wrap” can cause the pipes to become brittle after time. Although I’m not an expert on metallurgy, it might be a good idea to check this out before you do damage to an expensive set of pipes.