Borla or Hedman Headers ?

[Spiderman]

Well I am thinking of getting headers.
Should I go with Borla, Hedman or one of the others ?

[MX-5]

There's a ton of info if you do a search on this forum.

I wrote the JBA install guide, and have done several others.
I felt the JBA was the best for re-fitting the heat shields back onto it.

[renichms]

I have and like Borla but have no experience at all with the others, so really can't recommend anything.

RN

[GR8FLPT]

I have hedman black power coat, still waiting to install ... hopefully this Sat. I think the ceramic coated is a waste of money, you still are gonna have to wrap or put some type of shield on it anyway. Other wise you could get a REAL MELT DOWN under your hood.

I've only heard bad things about not replacing the shield. So far jury is still out on wrapping. anyone have a comment on wrapping before I install mine?

[coolZero]

Originally posted by GR8FLPT
I have hedman black power coat, still waiting to install ... hopefully this Sat. I think the ceramic coated is a waste of money, you still are gonna have to wrap or put some type of shield on it anyway. Other wise you could get a REAL MELT DOWN under your hood.

I've only heard bad things about not replacing the shield. So far jury is still out on wrapping. anyone have a comment on wrapping before I install mine?

You may want to wrap after install (assuming you wrap). The reason is the black coating will smoke real bad when you first install the header. Don't freak out this is normal it will take two maybe three days for the "smell" to go away. Then you could wrap. I'll send Brad a message and see if has some input on this.

It's not hard. Even I could do it

[coolZero]

Originally posted by GR8FLPT
I have hedman black power coat, still waiting to install ... hopefully this Sat. I think the ceramic coated is a waste of money, you still are gonna have to wrap or put some type of shield on it anyway. Other wise you could get a REAL MELT DOWN under your hood.

I've only heard bad things about not replacing the shield. So far jury is still out on wrapping. anyone have a comment on wrapping before I install mine?

I asked Brad and here's his reply.
Thanks Brad

Wrap away! I usually wrap my stuff while it is on the floor - much, much easier that way, and you can get a better grip. Yes they do 'burn' and smoke like heck when you first install it, but that goes away pretty quickly. Make sure you use the sealer spray the manufacturers offer, it will extend the life of the product signifcantly.

Brad

[JOEM]

Originally posted by coolZero



I asked Brad and here's his reply.
Thanks Brad

Wrap away! I usually wrap my stuff while it is on the floor - much, much easier that way, and you can get a better grip. Yes they do 'burn' and smoke like heck when you first install it, but that goes away pretty quickly. Make sure you use the sealer spray the manufacturers offer, it will extend the life of the product signifcantly.

Brad

I have the JBA headers and like them fine. I went this route for "wrapping" the headers, since the heat shield was not replaced during the installation of the headers.



A Thermotec maifold blanket.

[GR8FLPT]

Originally posted by JOEM


I have the JBA headers and like them fine. I went this route for "wrapping" the headers, since the heat shield was not replaced during the installation of the headers.



A Thermotec maifold blanket.

I have thought of that too. I had a thought... Since I have the BTG dual exhaust... I could probably remove that rear heat shield & reuse it as part of the header heat shield. Since the rear one is not stamped yet like the old manifold one yet.

Well what do all think?

[PT Doug]

I would like to install a set of headers too. I was told by a friend that if you wrap your header, that if you drive in rain or snow - moisture or salt could corrode the header. Some headers advertise that they are coated and do not require a heat shield. Most everything I read here says I need a heat shield. IS THERE A HEADER THAT CAN BE INSTALLED USING THE STOCK HEAT SHIELD?????? Sign me TOTAL CONFUSED

[GR8FLPT]

Originally posted by PT Doug
I would like to install a set of headers too. I was told by a friend that if you wrap your header, that if you drive in rain or snow - moisture or salt could corrode the header. Some headers advertise that they are coated and do not require a heat shield. Most everything I read here says I need a heat shield. IS THERE A HEADER THAT CAN BE INSTALLED USING THE STOCK HEAT SHIELD?????? Sign me TOTAL CONFUSED

I believe MX-5 installed the JBA headers w/ the heat shield. It just needed some modifaction.

The hedman has a pipe that crosses over so using the stock outer shield might not fit. Anyone know if the inner shield needs to be in place also or can I just "drape" the blanket over the outside of the header.

I thought about wrapping, but I get too many pros/cons answers. It just gets too confusing. I like the idea of wrapping it before the install. but I hear things like corrorision for salts & moisture getting under the wrap. Also oils that penetrate 7 could possibly catch fire.

Anybody have a straight answer to this? Looks like my install may still happen this weekend barring no changes at the shop. I need a day to order the wrap cause the size I need is not in stock here.

I'd hate to do all this work & have my header destroyed in 6 months from cracking or rusting. We get alot of snow & they use a LOT of salt up here.