STOCK EXHAUST WRAPPING

[NORTY]

Hi gang, I'm fed up with the tunnel heat on our Z06's. I already have an insulation kit installed (under the carpeting.) This is nice but I think there is more that can be done. My exhaust system is 100% factory stock and I'm thinking about getting some "exhaust wrapping tape" and going from the cats to the "X". My question is: Will I throw codes if I wrap the cats? I know I can throw a CEL if they don't heat quick enough but I don't know if they heat "too quick." I'm thinking about that 2" X 50' tape stuff. I figure I can get about 5-6 feet with a double wrap. Anyone done this?

 

[URLUZN]

stock exhaust heat shield

Norty,

Check this out. I was thinking of trying this on my zo6. Available from Mid America Motorworks.
C5 C6 Corvette Heatmaster Driveshaft Tunnel Shield - Mid America Motorworks
Stay Cool And Comfortable In Your 1997-09 With A Heatmaster Tunnel Shield

* Equip Your Corvette With The Heat Shielding Used By NASA And NASCAR Teams

* Custom Made For Corvettes-Uses The Existing Bolts, No Holes To Drill!​

The one-piece 1997-08 Heatmaster Shield lines your Corvette's driveshaft tunnel cover to protect you from exhaust heat - no more cockpit "pressure cooker" on steamy summer days. Hand-crafted from 2500 degree NASA/BOEING insulation material for an ultra-tough, long lasting layer of protection. Simply slide in place and use the stock tunnel bolts to secure.​

 

[NORTY]

Thanks for the link, that is something to consider. I already have a thicker tunnel plate, but it still heats up if driven long enough. My biggest issue is heat on my right leg/knee. I was looking at Mid Americas "exhaust wrapping tape" for this exercise.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Truth is, based on calibrations, the converters heating up too fast isnt going to be any issue.
The issue is going to be the inability to RADIATE the heat and creating a converter melting/metal stress issue at the converters.
You can wrap the pipes without fear, but the converter assembly itself, being up away from your tunnel shouldnt be the issue.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Hib Halverson]

You can install that part from the Corvette aftermarket, but, if you enjoy working on your own cars, I think there's a better choice.

I've insulated the exhaust system and the floors on several of my cars and the results have been good--it doesn't completely eliminate heat radiating off the exhaust into the interior, but it noticeably reduces it.

I get my thermal management products from Design Engineering (Design Engineering, Inc. - DEI - CryO2 & Thermal Tuning Products).

I wrap the exhaust system from the converter outlets back to the muffler inlets with "header wrap". With the LS7, the cats are right behind the manifolds, but with other Vettes they might be farther back in the system. You can wrap all of the exhaust pipes but, as c4c5specialist points out above, do not wrap the cats.

While I have the exhaust off the car for wrapping, I bond sections of either "
Floor and Tunnel Shield" or "Heat Screen Radiant Matting" to parts of the bottom of the tunnel and floor which are easily accessible and are practical for use with that type of insulation.

The header wrap keeps more heat in the exhaust and the Tunnel Shield or Radiant Matting reflects the heat that does get out of the exhaust away from the floor.

Good luck!

 

[NORTY]

HI there,
Truth is, based on calibrations, the converters heating up too fast isnt going to be any issue.
The issue is going to be the inability to RADIATE the heat and creating a converter melting/metal stress issue at the converters.
You can wrap the pipes without fear, but the converter assembly itself, being up away from your tunnel shouldnt be the issue.
Allthebest, c4c5

Thanks for your input c4c5specialist! I wasn't thinking about the cat's inability to radiate heat as much as the tape's ability to withstand said heat. Again, thank you!

 

[NORTY]

You can install that part from the Corvette aftermarket, but, if you enjoy working on your own cars, I think there's a better choice.

I've insulated the exhaust system and the floors on several of my cars and the results have been good--it doesn't completely eliminate heat radiating off the exhaust into the interior, but it noticeably reduces it.

I get my thermal management products from Design Engineering (Design Engineering, Inc. - DEI - CryO2 & Thermal Tuning Products).

I wrap the exhaust system from the converter outlets back to the muffler inlets with "header wrap". With the LS7, the cats are right behind the manifolds, but with other Vettes they might be farther back in the system. You can wrap all of the exhaust pipes but, as c4c5specialist points out above, do not wrap the cats.

While I have the exhaust off the car for wrapping, I bond sections of either "
Floor and Tunnel Shield" or "Heat Screen Radiant Matting" to parts of the bottom of the tunnel and floor which are easily accessible and are practical for use with that type of insulation.

The header wrap keeps more heat in the exhaust and the Tunnel Shield or Radiant Matting reflects the heat that does get out of the exhaust away from the floor.

Good luck!

Thanks Hib for your input as well. I think I'll wrap from the cats to the X as that'll be behind me! Maybe I can do it during the "muffler mod!"