exhaust question

M

mAlton

New member
While looking through Aircraft Spruce recently, I noticed they sell an insulating wrap for the header pipes on the exhaust. The claim is that it will decrease the heat inside the cowl (understandable), and give a little more horsepower by the hotter exhause evacuating the system quicker. I was wondering, has anyone ever tried using this, or have any thoughts on the viability of it? Thanks.

Michael
 
I just bought some 1" tape for use on a Champ where heat muffs were wearing on an exhaust pipe. I just used it where needed to prevent erosion, and not for heat control or power increases.The tape has been in place about 20 hours and so far has been durable.
 
Thanks Glen. I just wondered, when I saw it in the catalogue, if it was of any use or not. I am in the end stages of a top overhaul right now and thought if it were of use, the exhaust is off right now and it would be the time to put it on. Thanks again.

Michael
 
I'd hesitate to wrap the pipes. The claim that the higher exhaust heat yields more horsepower might be true at some level but I seriously doubt anyone would really see a difference in performance.
I've encoutered a couple of severely cracked exhaust systems that went undetected far too long due to being wrapped and no one wanting to unwrap them for inspection.
 
Thanks Doc. I actually talked with a guy at the airport this evening who warned me the same thing. He claimed that the wraps were used on a lot of early RV's and that it caused the cracking more frequently than the pipes without the wrap. I will forget about the idea. Thanks again.

Michael
 
right up there with "miracle" pellets you put in your gas or oil.

Personally I wouldn't want to interfere with the cooling/heating cycles the pipes were engineered for..
and since cracks in the system can be deadly on several fronts... this seems dumber than dumb for AC Spruce to be pimping.

maybe it is for "excremental" aircraft applications. :twisted:
 
If you want to spend the $$, you can get the "jet hot" treatment on your system. It is a metallic ceramic coating. I've tried it and it seems to work well. Prevents errosion and corrosion, stabilizes temperatures and prevents discolorization in chrome and polished stainless exhaust.
Dan
 
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