wrapping the header

sszyma · 04-23-2003, 09:07 PM

Ok my borla header is arriving on Friday and I have searched all post relating to the header CEL and wrapping it also. My question is has anyone ever had a problem when they wrapped the header? I bought the thermo-tec graphite wrap. It seems to me it would be better to wrap it because the outside will not have such a significant delta T. Anyone with experience wrapping their header? i know it should get rid of the CEL though.

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Poppa smurf · 04-23-2003, 09:51 PM

I don't know about the MY02 but you may find it below.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...rapping+Header

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...rapping+Header

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sear...der=descending

codger · 04-23-2003, 11:32 PM

Wrapping may corrode and crack your headers. Get a code reader to clear the inevitable CEL instead.

Jim

AustinSTi · 04-24-2003, 12:28 AM

no problems in my experience, but remember to wear gloves....fiberglass splinters are not fun.

Andrew Bacon · 04-24-2003, 03:41 AM

There is some discussion on another forum about this with some pics:

http://www.rs25.com/Forums/showthrea...ight=thermotec

I've been using thermotec for a couple of months with no problems so far.

Subaru used insulation on the stock manifold to keep things cooler down there and keep the cats hot!

Legacy777 · 04-24-2003, 08:39 AM

Read through all the posted information/threads.

Personally after talking with someone that had a borla header, and have it crack because he wrapped it......I would not wrap it.

If you want to do anything, get it jet coated.

joefocker20 · 04-24-2003, 09:08 AM

I put mine on the other day, and no CEL yet. I din't notice much of a butt dyno gain though. Hopefully when I do away with the cats or buy a high flow cat it will be more noticeable. Then on to a clutch, flywheel, and some cams if I ever get my amended return refund, I'm starting to give up hope on it

Opie · 04-24-2003, 10:04 AM

If you wrap it, it will crack and wrapped headers are not covered by the warranty.

If you get a CEL get a MIL eliminator or a mechanical CEL fix.

sszyma · 04-24-2003, 10:20 AM

I've read that many people complain about the header cracking w/o even wrapping it. So maybe if it cracked when wrapped it would have cracked anyway. I just can't see wrap ruining the header. Its only a 4 cylinder not a big-block or anything.

subarumantoo · 04-24-2003, 11:20 AM

Hey, I wrapped my Borla about three weeks ago and so far so good. Here is the link, with pictures...
http://rs25.com/Forums/showthread.php?threadid=7661

DanzBorin · 04-24-2003, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by subarumantoo
Hey, I wrapped my Borla about three weeks ago and so far so good. Here is the link, with pictures...
http://rs25.com/Forums/showthread.php?threadid=7661

read my post in that thread... header wrap doesn't just crack them...

it can be much worse...

Andrew Bacon · 04-24-2003, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by legacy777
[B....Personally after talking with someone that had a borla header, and have it crack because he wrapped it......[/b]

Was it a Gen. 4 header? Curious, thanks.

Legacy777 · 04-24-2003, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Bacon

Was it a Gen. 4 header? Curious, thanks.

No I don't think so.

Bob O · 04-25-2003, 06:43 PM

Mine are wrapped, always were wrapped (ie previous owner), and I drive alot. Had them on since like last fall, probably put 20k on them. No evil has occured. And it keeps the CEL away. And they're Gen 3's (oooooh).

If they crack it's likely because the turds at Borla couldn't produce a nice TIG weld to save their lives. I had an EGT and A/F bung put in the headers at work by a certified welder and he makes the Borla welds look like they were done by a blind monkey with the crack withdrawl shakes.

Bob

codger · 04-25-2003, 07:18 PM

I had read that they don't crack, they just corrode, like a very bad version of rust. You wont see the damage under the wrap, until it starts to perforate. It may last 1 to 3 years instead of 7 to 10 or longer. Several shops here advised me against wrapping; racers do it, destroy their headers in a season, and get a new one from their sponsor

So as suggested here, if CEL is the only reason for wrapping, instead get it coated, move your sensors, get a MIL eliminator, or keep a code reader handy ( if CELs are infrequent enough)

Jim

Andrew Bacon · 04-25-2003, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob O
.....he makes the Borla welds look like they were done by a blind monkey with the crack withdrawl shakes.....

Bob

Didn't you know? Borla has been using crack addicted monkeys in the factory since 1992.

The wrap broke on a spot on my header and it is unraveling!

It is only about 2-3 months old. Maybe I streched it too tight and thermal expansion broke it? I dunno. Pisser.

Andrew Bacon · 04-28-2003, 06:44 PM

I spoke to Alex Borla at the mini SEMA show in LA this weekend.
He said he would replace a failed header regardless of what has been wrapped on it, no problems, no questions.

Borla can be reached at 805-986-8600

04-23-2003, 09:07 PM	#1
sszyma Scooby Newbie Member#: 31399 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago Vehicle: 07 WRX Wagon Urban Gray Metallic	wrapping da header Ok my borla header is arriving on Friday and I have searched all post relating to the header CEL and wrapping it also. My question is has anyone ever had a problem when they wrapped the header? I bought the thermo-tec graphite wrap. It seems to me it would be better to wrap it because the outside will not have such a significant delta T. Anyone with experience wrapping their header? i know it should get rid of the CEL though. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

04-28-2003, 06:44 PM	#17
Andrew Bacon Scooby Specialist Member#: 2267 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: LA dentention core Vehicle: 00RS rutherforddesign.com	I spoke to Alex Borla at the mini SEMA show in LA this weekend. He said he would replace a failed header regardless of what has been wrapped on it, no problems, no questions. Borla can be reached at 805-986-8600 Last edited by Andrew Bacon; 04-28-2003 at 06:56 PM.

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04-23-2003, 09:51 PM	#2
Poppa smurf Scooby Specialist Member#: 8257 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Washington & Frederick CO. MD Vehicle: 2004 STI Silver\Silver	I don't know about the MY02 but you may find it below. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...rapping+Header http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...rapping+Header http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sear...der=descending

04-23-2003, 11:32 PM	#3
codger Scooby Specialist Member#: 13486 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Calgary Vehicle: 06 Legacy GT wagon Black	Wrapping may corrode and crack your headers. Get a code reader to clear the inevitable CEL instead. Jim

04-24-2003, 12:28 AM	#4
AustinSTi Scooby Specialist Member#: 9386 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: H-Market, VA & JMU Vehicle: 2000 2.5rs sedan silverthorn	no problems in my experience, but remember to wear gloves....fiberglass splinters are not fun.

04-24-2003, 03:41 AM	#5
Andrew Bacon Scooby Specialist Member#: 2267 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: LA dentention core Vehicle: 00RS rutherforddesign.com	There is some discussion on another forum about this with some pics: http://www.rs25.com/Forums/showthrea...ight=thermotec I've been using thermotec for a couple of months with no problems so far. Subaru used insulation on the stock manifold to keep things cooler down there and keep the cats hot!

04-24-2003, 08:39 AM	#6
Legacy777 Scooby Guru Member#: 4800 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston, Tx Vehicle: 1990 Legacy & 97 OBS AWD 5MT EJ22T AWIC Swap	Read through all the posted information/threads. Personally after talking with someone that had a borla header, and have it crack because he wrapped it......I would not wrap it. If you want to do anything, get it jet coated.

04-24-2003, 09:08 AM	#7
joefocker20 Scooby Specialist Member#: 13745 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Springs, CO Vehicle: 2004 STI Silver	I put mine on the other day, and no CEL yet. I din't notice much of a butt dyno gain though. Hopefully when I do away with the cats or buy a high flow cat it will be more noticeable. Then on to a clutch, flywheel, and some cams if I ever get my amended return refund, I'm starting to give up hope on it

04-24-2003, 10:04 AM	#8
Opie Floresbian Moderator Member#: 470 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Riverview, Florida - U.S.A. Vehicle: 2013 BRZ, 2011 Forester, '04 Chev 2500HD	If you wrap it, it will crack and wrapped headers are not covered by the warranty. If you get a CEL get a MIL eliminator or a mechanical CEL fix.

04-24-2003, 10:20 AM	#9
sszyma Scooby Newbie Member#: 31399 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago Vehicle: 07 WRX Wagon Urban Gray Metallic	I've read that many people complain about the header cracking w/o even wrapping it. So maybe if it cracked when wrapped it would have cracked anyway. I just can't see wrap ruining the header. Its only a 4 cylinder not a big-block or anything.

04-24-2003, 11:20 AM	#10
subarumantoo Scooby Specialist Member#: 3257 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2000 ImprezaRS Blue Ridge Pearl	Hey, I wrapped my Borla about three weeks ago and so far so good. Here is the link, with pictures... http://rs25.com/Forums/showthread.php?threadid=7661

04-25-2003, 06:43 PM	#14
Bob O Scooby Specialist Member#: 1502 Join Date: May 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Felton, PA, USA Vehicle: 2000 2.5RS & SV1kS BRP	Mine are wrapped, always were wrapped (ie previous owner), and I drive alot. Had them on since like last fall, probably put 20k on them. No evil has occured. And it keeps the CEL away. And they're Gen 3's (oooooh). If they crack it's likely because the turds at Borla couldn't produce a nice TIG weld to save their lives. I had an EGT and A/F bung put in the headers at work by a certified welder and he makes the Borla welds look like they were done by a blind monkey with the crack withdrawl shakes. Bob

04-25-2003, 07:18 PM	#15
codger Scooby Specialist Member#: 13486 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Calgary Vehicle: 06 Legacy GT wagon Black	I had read that they don't crack, they just corrode, like a very bad version of rust. You wont see the damage under the wrap, until it starts to perforate. It may last 1 to 3 years instead of 7 to 10 or longer. Several shops here advised me against wrapping; racers do it, destroy their headers in a season, and get a new one from their sponsor So as suggested here, if CEL is the only reason for wrapping, instead get it coated, move your sensors, get a MIL eliminator, or keep a code reader handy ( if CELs are infrequent enough) Jim