Wrapping Exhaust to Keep Tranny Temp Down..

[ROSSO Z]

Does this actually work or is it another theoretically correct mod that doesn't give much in return??? I have had my tranny temp warning come on twice in 6 DE events and would consider this mod, if it really helps.

Anyone do this? Comments?

Thanks,

[xsiveone]

IIRC, dmtnt mentioned something about Lou Gigliotti not liking to wrap the exhaust because it makes it brittle for some reason.

Probably the best thing to do outside of changing tranny fluid is to get a tranny and diff cooler from DRM. It's not cheap, but I've heard that guys can run all day long at the track without heat issues when they have the tranny and diff cooler. Plus, adding something like this is a lot cheaper than replacing the transmission.

I had high trans temp messages until I switched tranny fluid. I haven't had one since. I am using Redline though and some say that it's not recommended by Tremec. I don't know what to believe. The car does shift smoother and I don't have trans temp warnings though.

X

[ROSSO Z]

Thanks for your input.

I'm running BG Synchroshift fluid, which according to them is virtually indestructible and haven't had a high temp message yet (only one DE in fairly cool, wet weather). I'm running at Beaver Run in July and it should be very hot. We'll see.

I've considered the coolers, but don't really want to do that yet.

I too have read about the extra heat from wrapping making the exhaust brittle.

[Blkout]

If your exhaust is stainless steel you can wrap it, but mild steel will crack in time since it does make the metal brittle, as others have mentioned. Stainless is ok to wrap last time I checked.

[jub jub]

I think the speeds that you travel at during a DE event would prevent efficient heat transfer from the exhaust to the tranny. Most heat transferred to the tranny will occur by thermal conduction, specifically, heat generated by the engine and differential (Aluminum being a very good conductor).Most of the heat however is generated internally in the transmission. GM engineers where quick to discover this and have actually developed an integral cooler in the C6 that cools the diff and tranny at the same time through built in cooler lines.

Best bet to keep the temps down would be to run an external cooler!

[DJWorm]

It is not a good idea to wrap Titanium. The stock Titanium and the Corsa Titanium Race exhaust systems need to dissipate heat. Otherwise the Titanium will become brittle.

This is why Titanium headers are only used on rear engined "open" cars.
The initial, or pre CAT exhaust heat is too hot for Titanium on front engined enclosed cars.

However wrapping the exhaust on other metal type exhaust is a good idea as it keeps the temps up in the rear of the exhaust and increases flow and scavanging. In addition it keeps heat off the other componants.

The best option for Titanium exhaust system cars is a tranny and diff cooler.

[RocketSled]

Commericial Titanium comes in one of three primary types, Alpha, Beta, or Alpha+Beta. There are many varieties within these categories. Alpha is also called "Hexagonally Close Packed", Beta is "Body Centered Cubic". The Titanium type is a function of how the Ti is alloyed during processing.

Heat alone does not make Ti brittle. However, heat does enhance/accelerate oxidation, and the surface oxides (which are what afford Ti it's corrosion resistance) *are* brittle.

I'm pretty sure our exhausts are Alpha+Beta type Ti (these are more resistant to corrosion, particularly in salty environments).

I suppose that if we wrap our Ti exhausts, we could indeed help it to develop surface brittleness that would ultimately result in cracking.

[dailydriver]

I've had my stock TI exhaust wrapped and so far, it works great. I am planning however on installing a diff and trans cooler soon as extra insurance. When the TI system goes out, its time to something else more free flowing. Til then, hey it works fine.

[dmtnt]

I wrapped my stock exhaust from the H-pipe all the way over differential and down almost to the tips. Before that I got high trans temps at Sebring. After that I didn't.

It does work, but Lou Gigliotti told me over time it will make the exhaust brittle, regardless if its stainless or not.

Hey DJ, do you think these will cause a problem with the Corsa Ti exhaust? ->

http://www.thermotec.com/products/full/11600/11600.html

Its not a full wrap so I figure it won't raise the metal temperature as much.

[RocketSled]

Stainless Steel is immune to the kinds of oxidation problems that can cause Ti to get brittle. Moisture collecting inside the wrap is more likely to be an issue for SS. The extra heat won't do it any harm.

[ROSSO Z]

Thanks to all who replied.

I've concluded that if I get a high tranny temp warning at Beaver Run in August, I will order that thermo stuff and give it a try.

[tdzee]

What about wrapping headers? Racers do it all the time. These may be JetHot coated carbon steel or SS. I have a set of TPIS headers, Random Tech cats and a SS x pipe and Stingers to install. I got them all from supporting vendors here. I also planned to wrap the exhaust (all the way from headers up to muffler input) to keep heat down generally, but also to try to help the tranny over heat problem. I am OK all year at DEs, but when I run Rd Atl in Aug, I get the over temp warning (285 trans and 310 oil). If wrapping makes the TI and even the SS brittle, why would so many folks be doing it? Inquiring minds want to know !

[DJWorm]

I would not wrap (completely) a Corsa Ti Race system as it is very thin wall. Thinner than the stock OEM, I think.

However a partial wrap, short section wrap or a onesided shield will be OK as it will allow the heat to dissipate.

Wrapping headers even if SS will shorten their life. However wrapping them will keep underhood temps down and increase flow velocity and scavanging.

It should be noted that the Corsa T1 has excellent flow and scavanging and keeps velocities high in the 2 1/2" pipe. If you were running a 3" steel pipe you would need to wrap it to keep the heat in and velocities up.

[Z11409]

Originally Posted by DJWorm

I would not wrap (completely) a Corsa Ti Race system as it is very thin wall. Thinner than the stock OEM, I think.

However a partial wrap, short section wrap or a onesided shield will be OK as it will allow the heat to dissipate.

Wrapping headers even if SS will shorten their life. However wrapping them will keep underhood temps down and increase flow velocity and scavanging.

It should be noted that the Corsa T1 has excellent flow and scavanging and keeps velocities high in the 2 1/2" pipe. If you were running a 3" steel pipe you would need to wrap it to keep the heat in and velocities up.

Also by wrapping the head pipe in the area of the oil filter,engine oil temp dropped average 5-9 deg per 30 min.track session.Replacement for C5-Z06 has a gear driven spur drive pump on tranny for cooler