Bellanger Headers Car Fire

[SapphireGTS]

I did Bellanger Headers on my car and have a couple of questions.

I had the heat shields put back on but the headers look so nice that its a shame to cover them up. Although I would not like my car to catch on fire either. Any opinions? I know ViperWizard said that heat shields are a must.

Also. The stock flex pipe was replaced with a hard elbow. Will this have any adverse affects on the car? The only think I notice is more exhaust vibration, which I dont mind.

Thanks!

Keith

 

[DEVILDOG]

I'd keep the heat shields on. I have H M S headers and they look great as do all stainless steel headers, however, I think you're safer with the heat shields on especially considering the location of the power steering reservoir. Bottom line the reason for headers is more HP not under hood looks unless you're a poser. BTW, love the Sapphire. Keep cool! Hard elbow no issue.

 

[SapphireGTS]

Cool. Thanks.

Any one else?

I was a poser. Then I took off my wing

Oh yeah. Boycott all french products except for the french tickler.

 

[BigCarrot]

There's a lot less need for heat shields if you get them ceramic coated. If you want both looks and functionality, you might give that a try.

 

[Tom Welch]

13,000 miles with NO heat shields and no ill effects. Still using stock spark plug wires. Heat shields will negate some of the heat dissapating effect that the headers and their coating offer. Do as you will.

Tom

 

[Casey]

I have the Belangers also, coated, and they look TOO GOOD for me to cover them up! I have heard they are fine, and haven't heard any horror stories either! No shields for me!

 

[DEVILDOG]

Cool. Thanks.

Any one else?

I was a poser. Then I took off my wing

Oh yeah. Boycott all french products except for the french tickler.

LOL! I like to keep my car on the ground when going 215 mph. Buy an American tickler.

 

[SnakeAv8r]

I just did the same thing but I read here that the belangers are coated so they don't need the heat shields. I left them off but I will put them back on if that's not the case. I wondered about the flex pipe going away too but no leeks yet.

 

[BigCarrot]

Are they shiny? If so, they're coated. BTW I already have an American tickler! I was born with it, and I'm not using it on any of you guys, so don't ask!

 

[DEVILDOG]

13,000 miles with NO heat shields and no ill effects. Still using stock spark plug wires. Heat shields will negate some of the heat dissapating effect that the headers and their coating offer. Do as you will.

Tom

I thought that ceramic coating keeps the heat from dissapating through the pipe? How do heat shields negate heat from dissapating through the pipes whether or not they have coating? I thought they just deflect the heat down under the car.

 

[BigCarrot]

Ceramic coating on the inside of the pipes relects the heat, so it stays in the exhaust gas. The headers stay cooler.Heat shields are on the outside of the header. Their main purpose is keeping heat out of the engine compartment. They don't really keep the header any cooler, they just help keep that heat from escaping into the engine compartment.

 

[Jerry Dobson]

Mine are coated and I still use the heat shields.

These cars get hot under the hood and you need to isolate any heat. Your feet ever get hot on the floor board?

Other concern is how heat affects rubber, plastic, all all gaskets. All of your surrounding components are affected by the heat.

A friend of mine did have a fire with stock exhaust. His was caused by Air Conditioning leak. AC oil got on the exhaust and caught fire. No damage except for a fresh set of Depends. So a fire can be caused even with the heat shields in place.

 

[DEVILDOG]

Ceramic coating on the inside of the pipes relects the heat, so it stays in the exhaust gas. The headers stay cooler.Heat shields are on the outside of the header. Their main purpose is keeping heat out of the engine compartment. They don't really keep the header any cooler, they just help keep that heat from escaping into the engine compartment.

My point was that heat shields don't negate the heat dissapation that headers offer with or without coating as Tom stated above. They just keep that dissapated heat from rising into the engine compartment. They don't make things hotter.

 

[Joel]

No heat shields.......5000 miles and no problems. Did make an alloy shield for the plastic cockpit air intake.

 

[Daniel Cragin/DC Performance Inc]

For street use these headers are ok not covered. If you race the car
(track) it will melt the blower housing cover and could cause an engine fire
if your power steering overheats and leaks fluid directly on the headers.
ATP makes an Inconel shield that fits over the Bellanger headers and allows a large airspace between the header and the shield that really helps the cooling effect. The shields are not cheap but they do the job well.

Dan Cragin
DC Performance
310 841 6996

 

[TOOOFST]

No shields,but I recommend Roe Racing Fan timer kit.When its 90+and you shut off that intense heat can damage.Get that Nos on yet.

 

[SapphireGTS]

Still have the kit in my garage. I dont know if I want to go bigger or not. Supercharging seems to be really popular these days. Paolo has to show me his car when and if he gets it back. If he hasnt already.

I know you cant beat the $$$:HP of N0s.

 

[SoCal Rebell]

17,000 track miles with the Bellangers, not a single problem with no heat shield. I've had my PS cap shake off, no fire, I forgot to put my oil cap on once, no fire. Stock plug wires, no problem and I never had anything melt! I think it's safe to delete the shields.

 

[Steve 00RT/10]

Almost 18,000 miles---no problems with any other component of the car. 26,000 miles total--Spark plug wires are original.

Steve

 

[ACR Joe]

18,000 miles no shields, no problems, a few track roa course events. Will also run cooler w/o cats.

 

[Butch The Snake]

Hey Keith

I think you should trade the Viper for a Saturn so you don't have to worry about your Viper catching fire.( just kidding)

4000 miles and no heat/fire problems


Butch
Schaumburg Motorsports Racing

01 GTS 10.42 e.t. @ 134 m.p.h.
02 360 Modena
93.5 T Supra 615 r.w.h.p. 600 r.w.t.q.
03 Porsche GT-3 Cup
01 740i sport
01 Lade 22" wheels

 

[SapphireGTS]

I probably should. Im sure it has less plastic.