Has anyone tried using header wraps on stock exhaust? I'm plan on buying a new exhaust and putting header wrap on it to help the engine area stay cooler. I find the engine area to be way to hot to even check the oil level. The engine bay hood even has a bit of paint crack because of how close the hood is to one of the exhaust headers.

Any done this with success on a 500? What kind of material is the stock engine made of?

Also, any find a way to provide/duct more air into the engine area to help dissipate heat?

I went through this with one of my other cars a couple of years ago. I was eventually talked out of wrapping the headers and ended up getting them coated with a 'heat proof' material. The coating was done by a local Australian company called Jet-Hot (www.jet-hot.com.au) and I am very pleased with the result. I would think that similar products are available internationally.

The under bonnet and on bonnet temperatures are significantly cooler. The two temperature photos were taken before and after treatment and after I'd been driving around the neighbourhood. One probe was about 10cm away from the headers and the other on the outside of the bonnet above the exhaust side of the engine. I did this out of interest only and have no affiliation with the company who did the coating.

The other two photos are just the before and after of my headers.

I've not done this to a 500 yet as mine is still in bits

As to the materials making up the 500 standard motor, I believe they are -

Sump - mild steel
Crankcase - alloy
Cylinder barrels - cast iron
Head - alloy
Rocker cover - mild steel

The engine bays of these cars were originally fitted with a heat shield bolted to the RHS of the engine compartment and offering partial shielding of the exhaust. I don't know how effective it was, or whether it can be made more efficient.

Check the airflow around the motor - particularly underneath around the sump as this area is prone to damage, road dirt, grime and general greasy crap that will block the flow of air. A significant amount of cooling takes place here. My sump ventilation was virtually occluded and is now panel beaten straight again and clean

Also make sure your thermostat is working and the recirculating vent is opening/closing properly.

Hope this is of some help,
Chris

Amazing!

Thanks as ever Chris for your informative response.

Can I ask if it was expensive?

Looks like it might be........

Thanks a lot bambino

oopsadaisy said:

Can I ask if it was expensive?

Looks like it might be........

Click to expand...

The headers are coated inside and out with a hard wearing and efficient ceramic insulation. It cost me $AUD210.00 in early 2008 - about 150 euros - so yeah, it is a bit expensive.

I'm sure you could do a 500 manifold, though you may have to separate the muffler from the headers first.

I might make some inquiries when I get to that bit on my car

Chris