PAcemaker headers, thermal wrap and oxygen sensors

[tavas]

Hi guys

I read a comment about Pacemaker Headers requiring thermal wrap because they don't get hot enough. Since then I haven't been able to find any info on it. I have a VT V6 with Pacies and am curous if I need to wrap the headers to get the oxygen sensor working. I seem to have lost about 50km/tank since I fitted them.

[2DIE]

I don't think it has anything to do with them not getting hot enough.

I think its to protect your bay and wiring from getting hot.

[acarmody]

Not hot enough? Mate extractors reach a few hundred degrees, how hot do you want them?

[chargedvx6]

I think the fuel consumption will be directly related to your right foot. The O2 sensors will heat up no probs

[VT Owner]

The only reason I'd wrap extractors is to reduce the heat in the engine bay and to safe-guard me from burning myself :-)

[S.T.K.E]

I think you may have this confused with wrapping a turbo system.

[Vt_vic]

wrapping the extractors can lead it to cracking internally and a v6 wont come close to getting near the temps to crack it anyway

[s_ikari2015]

I think the fuel consumption will be directly related to your right foot

spot on here. the headers give you better performance when you use the pedal, you notice it and so you use the pedal more.

I would recommend heat shielding (not wrap) between the passenger headers and the intake. This will help reduce heat transfer into your intake air, improving performance and fuel effeciency.

[savage1987]

Oddly, some extractors will reduce fuel efficiency at low RPM.. I found this out first hand with Pacemaker headers on my VN with the s1 motor in it.. HOWEVER this is only the tiniest of margins, barely noticeable at all.


Also, just noticed you say you fitted them. Did you use sensor-safe sealant on the gaskets? If not, this could have negative effects on your O2 readings for sure

Sam

[vxcalais_01]

Better off ceramic coating or spraying them yourself.

[tavas]

Thanks guys.
Most of my driving is on highway with cruise control, so that negates the right foot effect. I drive like a nanna anyway. The comment I heard was in relation to the oxygen sensor not heating up to properly switch into closed loop mode. I didn't fit them, muffler shop did, and I have since replaced oxy sensors with no improvement. I've lost about 100 kms per tank. Not huge but not great either.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Do you have a 2 1/2" exhaust as well? Was that fitted at the same time?

[greenfoam]

This is a problem on VN's, but don't VT's have heated O2 sensors anyway?

[tavas]

2.5" exhaust fitted as well. Stock CAT tho. Also cleaned plenum and MAF, fitted MACE 1" plenum spacer. Dr Bob chip. MCAI and 2 hole. New plugs and leads.

Foamy, no, my VT only has two wire oxygen sensor. I am assuming it isn't heated (yep, I know the danger in assuming: ass/u/me etc). I guess I could try exhaust wrap. if it doesn't make a difference then that's that question answered.

It may

[showbags]

dont use header wrap on a streeter. thermal fatigue will destroy your headers in a matter of months. only use it if your motor runs constant hi rpm(above 4500rpm) no header company will honour warranties after header wrap has been used.

[savage1987]

dont use header wrap on a streeter. thermal fatigue will destroy your headers in a matter of months. only use it if your motor runs constant hi rpm(above 4500rpm) no header company will honour warranties after header wrap has been used.

I plan to test your theory.
Sam

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

The exhaust is what cost you your fuel economy, not the extractors.

Sam, he is right.

Exhaust gas flows faster when hot, well, not technically faster, but more volume within the pipe flows faster as a hot pipe has less drag. Thermal wrap retains heat and allows the more volume to flow than an unwrapped pipe. Look at Jap cars, most have insulated and shielded exhaust systems, not to protect the surrounding components, but rather to insulate the pipe against heat loss. Retaining too much heat by thermal wrap will void warranty and cause premature cracking of the exhaust components.

[vxcalais_01]

Thats why you ceramic coat the headers inside and out, and no cracking ! The problem with the wrap is due to the heating and cooling, condensation builds under the wrap layer causing it to corrode the headers.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Thats why you ceramic coat the headers inside and out, and no cracking ! The problem with the wrap is due to the heating and cooling, condensation builds under the wrap layer causing it to corrode the headers.

Long term, yes. The extractors crack because the heat can't dissipate to the atmosphere and causes them to overheat and fatigue. 9 times out of 10 they crack right on a weld where they have been subjected to heat already by the welding process.

[Raczy]

2.5" exhaust fitted as well. Stock CAT tho. Also cleaned plenum and MAF, fitted MACE 1" plenum spacer. Dr Bob chip. MCAI and 2 hole. New plugs and leads.

Foamy, no, my VT only has two wire oxygen sensor. I am assuming it isn't heated (yep, I know the danger in assuming: ass/u/me etc). I guess I could try exhaust wrap. if it doesn't make a difference then that's that question answered.

It may

There's your problem,

Dont use a chip on a v6.
If you are wanting a tune, get a proper MAFless tune done using Kalmaker software...

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

A Dr Bob chip is a retuned memcal, the only way you can tune the VT 6, unless it has an aftermarket PCM.

[savage1987]

There's your problem,

Dont use a chip on a v6.
If you are wanting a tune, get a proper MAFless tune done using Kalmaker software...

hahahahahahahahaa

Dude, learn before you type. You couldn't be more wrong. Dr Bob's tunes are 100% fine

[danja]

Ahh... I remember when Dr Bob tunes were THE thing to have on a V6

[acarmody]

There's your problem,

Dont use a chip on a v6.
If you are wanting a tune, get a proper MAFless tune done using Kalmaker software...

MAFless on a near stock V6, wow thats a big waste of money.