NoLmtz
New member
Okay, it's been about 1 1/2 weeks since I spent 3 hours wrapping my exhaust pipes on my 2013 STS. The impetus to wrap my pipes is that I'm in Texas with HOT ambient temps and 1) the Spyders run hot and 2) I sometimes like to ride in shorts (which make all the Harley guys cringe... but who's got reverse - haha)! I've never had a temp problem on the bike, but I've only had it for about 5 months and haven't hit the heat of summer yet... so wanted to get a jump on it.
The Process: I decided to do this one weekend my wife was out of town. It took me about 3 hours with about 15 min breaks each hour. I'm 6'4" with big hands, so kneeling that long and trying to be delicate in tight spaces require breaks to restore circulation!! I used Thermotec Gen II Copper 2" wrap and hose ratchet clamps. As my main reasoning's were not due to overheating I decided to wrap a bit differently. I took off all of the side panels on the clutch side to access the pipes. In plain view you can see the pipes from the joint to the muffler all the way forward to the O2 sensor. So, part of my plan was to not remove the pipes so I decided to wrap from the back forward, starting at the joint to the muffler going forward to the O2 sensor. Part of my decision to do this versus all the way up to the headers was 1) didn't want to remove the pipes and 2) had heard about remapping the ignition computer because wrapping up to the headers can cause hotter exhaust resulting in a leaned out mixture which requires a remapping of the ignition control computer. The biggest thing I did was take my time, making sure my wrap was tight with about 1/4" overlap. Starting from the rear moving forward keeps the overlap in-line with any wind, thus, hopefully preserving the wrap from fraying due to turbulence.
The Results: Sorry, no pics... I was hot, sweaty and the last thing I was thinking about was pausing to take pics (I'll take pics next time I take the panels off). While there's not magical aura surrounding me as I drive, I do notice two things: 1) the temp stays at 4 bars most of the time, unless in stop & go traffic and it stays at 5 bars (this is in high 90 degree temps - saw 101 two days ago on the dash), and 2) the exhaust sounds just a touch more throaty. I usually shift at about 5k and my audible cue was a high pitch wind-out at about that point, but now that doesn't exist any more, more throaty throughout the wind-out.
And now for the extremely high tech, NASA approved validation.... it's a lot cooler on my legs. Now, don't kid yourself, the bolts will still get warm, but the plastic is definitely cooler. Because the exhaust is enclosed in a plastic housing, heat has to escape, and when you're not cruising and at stop & go, it will build up and vent out seams, etc. So, you will still have some heat, but not to the level I had before.
PS - Another plus, which has not been validated, nor was an original concern, was the discussions about the gas tank boiling gas. Because I wrapped it as it bends down from the gas tank, it's an added layer of heat diffusion, so in theory, my gas tank should remain cooler versus non-wrapped.
PSS - If you decide to wrap your pipes, make sure you have a ride planned out once you're done and you already have gas, etc. Part of wrapping your pipes includes a curing process, which only occurs at temp. Part of this curing process will result in a lot of smoke. Mine went away after about an hour of riding, but at times it will billow out like your bikes on fire. I was at several stop lights wishing for the light to change fast, so people will stop looking at me like my bikes on fire!! And per another post, getting gas after this is going to get you a lot of looks and maybe a visit from the fire department... smoking bikes at a gas pump make people nervous!!
So, would I recommend doing it... absolutely! Am I scientifically certain it makes a difference... no, but I can feel and hear a difference, which makes me happy! It's real if you want it to be!!
Happy riding!!
Jon
The Process: I decided to do this one weekend my wife was out of town. It took me about 3 hours with about 15 min breaks each hour. I'm 6'4" with big hands, so kneeling that long and trying to be delicate in tight spaces require breaks to restore circulation!! I used Thermotec Gen II Copper 2" wrap and hose ratchet clamps. As my main reasoning's were not due to overheating I decided to wrap a bit differently. I took off all of the side panels on the clutch side to access the pipes. In plain view you can see the pipes from the joint to the muffler all the way forward to the O2 sensor. So, part of my plan was to not remove the pipes so I decided to wrap from the back forward, starting at the joint to the muffler going forward to the O2 sensor. Part of my decision to do this versus all the way up to the headers was 1) didn't want to remove the pipes and 2) had heard about remapping the ignition computer because wrapping up to the headers can cause hotter exhaust resulting in a leaned out mixture which requires a remapping of the ignition control computer. The biggest thing I did was take my time, making sure my wrap was tight with about 1/4" overlap. Starting from the rear moving forward keeps the overlap in-line with any wind, thus, hopefully preserving the wrap from fraying due to turbulence.
The Results: Sorry, no pics... I was hot, sweaty and the last thing I was thinking about was pausing to take pics (I'll take pics next time I take the panels off). While there's not magical aura surrounding me as I drive, I do notice two things: 1) the temp stays at 4 bars most of the time, unless in stop & go traffic and it stays at 5 bars (this is in high 90 degree temps - saw 101 two days ago on the dash), and 2) the exhaust sounds just a touch more throaty. I usually shift at about 5k and my audible cue was a high pitch wind-out at about that point, but now that doesn't exist any more, more throaty throughout the wind-out.
And now for the extremely high tech, NASA approved validation.... it's a lot cooler on my legs. Now, don't kid yourself, the bolts will still get warm, but the plastic is definitely cooler. Because the exhaust is enclosed in a plastic housing, heat has to escape, and when you're not cruising and at stop & go, it will build up and vent out seams, etc. So, you will still have some heat, but not to the level I had before.
PS - Another plus, which has not been validated, nor was an original concern, was the discussions about the gas tank boiling gas. Because I wrapped it as it bends down from the gas tank, it's an added layer of heat diffusion, so in theory, my gas tank should remain cooler versus non-wrapped.
PSS - If you decide to wrap your pipes, make sure you have a ride planned out once you're done and you already have gas, etc. Part of wrapping your pipes includes a curing process, which only occurs at temp. Part of this curing process will result in a lot of smoke. Mine went away after about an hour of riding, but at times it will billow out like your bikes on fire. I was at several stop lights wishing for the light to change fast, so people will stop looking at me like my bikes on fire!! And per another post, getting gas after this is going to get you a lot of looks and maybe a visit from the fire department... smoking bikes at a gas pump make people nervous!!
So, would I recommend doing it... absolutely! Am I scientifically certain it makes a difference... no, but I can feel and hear a difference, which makes me happy! It's real if you want it to be!!
Happy riding!!
Jon
:clap: :2thumbs: :congrats:
hyea:
