Pipe Wrap

TomGracey · Feb 10, 2020

I have noticed that some people do and some don't tape wrap there tuned pipes.
If any what is the advantage to Wrapping the tuned pipe.
If there is a performance advantage WHAT kind of tape is used and what is a good source for it

John Beardslee · Feb 10, 2020

TomGracey said:
I have noticed that some people do and some don't tape wrap there tuned pipes.
If any what is the advantage to Wrapping the tuned pipe.
If there is a performance advantage WHAT kind of tape is used and what is a good source for it

Tom, Home Depot in the plumbing section, it’s silicone tape.
John

Grimracer · Feb 10, 2020

Its to keep the heat in the pipe..

Ever been watered down and have the boat fall off pipe.. ya it was not likely water in the carb...

Grim

TomGracey · Feb 10, 2020

I guess I should have clarified that in most modern 1/8 scale /sport 40 hydro's ECT the pipe is enclosed by a cowling so would this still apply as far as holding the heat in the pipe

Grimracer · Feb 10, 2020

daveberari · Feb 10, 2020

How riggers with out in the open pipes?

Danny King · Feb 10, 2020

Yes it will hold more heat in the pipe and pass it out the exhaust. It will keep the under cowl temps down which is better for the engine as well. it’s a insulator.

RobertDoak · Feb 11, 2020

Is this a "Nitro" thing or does all the above info apply to "Gas" as well...
Thanks...

Danny King · Feb 11, 2020

Haven’t tried it on a gas boat. It would help on a aluminum pipe if it holds up. Gas pipes get hotter then nitro.

Rick Sowell · Feb 11, 2020

Tommy tape is what you want, all kinds of colors too.

RobertDoak · Feb 11, 2020

Ok...thanks Danny..so the nitro pipe just runs cooler...got it.

David Murany · Feb 11, 2020

RobertDoak said:
Ok...thanks Danny..so the nitro pipe just runs cooler...got it.

No the pipe actually runs hotter because the heat isn't dissipated from the outside. You usually have to run just a tad richer when you wrap a pipe.

John Beardslee · Feb 11, 2020

David Murany said:
No the pipe actually runs hotter because the heat isn't dissipated from the outside. You usually have to run just a tad richer when you wrap a pipe.

Jim Wilson used to say the tape made the pipe act a 1/4” shorter.

David Ashcroft · Feb 11, 2020

John Beardslee said:
Jim Wilson used to say the tape made the pipe act a 1/4” shorter.

So if the pipe is set at the optimum length for a particular engine /hull setup is Example :11inches with no tape..Then when tape is wrapped on the pipe now acts like it's length is 10 3/4 inches.
So in theory the wrapped pipe should still have the same torque ,but have more Rpms??

John Beardslee · Feb 11, 2020

I’ve never tested it, I adjust pipe length and needle as needed for best combination with the propeller being the main variable.
John

David Murany · Feb 11, 2020

David Ashcroft said:
So if the pipe is set at the optimum length for a particular engine /hull setup is Example :11inches with no tape..Then when tape is wrapped on the pipe now acts like it's length is 10 3/4 inches.
So in theory the wrapped pipe should still have the same torque ,but have more Rpms??

In theory yes. The hotter temps inside the pipe allow the pressure wave to travel faster in my opinion.

David Murany · Feb 11, 2020

You have to watch for detonation though because you are now increasing the temp of the charge being pushed back into the cylinder. Sometimes need to add more cooling be it with the needle or the water inlet

LohringMiller · Feb 12, 2020

David Murany said:
You have to watch for detonation though because you are now increasing the temp of the charge being pushed back into the cylinder. Sometimes need to add more cooling be it with the needle or the water inlet

Very true. However, the mixture that is actually is returned only makes it a small way down the header. Cooling that area will help prevent detonation. Wrapping the rest of the pipe at least helps keep the pipe temperature uniform in race conditions and at best helps preserve the heat energy in the exhaust. Remember, the pipe acts like a turbocharger. You want to keep the heat energy in the exhaust as well as intercool the "supercharger". Since this involves two way flow through the exhaust duct, the picture gets complicated in really high performance engines. There have been a lot of tests with both cooling and insulating the exhaust duct in those engines.

Lohring Miller

John Beardslee · Feb 12, 2020

David Murany said:
In theory yes. The hotter temps inside the pipe allow the pressure wave to travel faster in my opinion.

Thermodynamics says you are correct Dave

David Murany · Feb 12, 2020

LohringMiller said:
Very true. However, the mixture that is actually is returned only makes it a small way down the header. Cooling that area will help prevent detonation. Wrapping the rest of the pipe at least helps keep the pipe temperature uniform in race conditions and at best helps preserve the heat energy in the exhaust. Remember, the pipe acts like a turbocharger. You want to keep the heat energy in the exhaust as well as intercool the "supercharger". Since this involves two way flow through the exhaust duct, the picture gets complicated in really high performance engines. There have been a lot of tests with both cooling and insulating the exhaust duct in those engines.

Lohring Miller

I have yet to try water cooled headers on my riggers. May try some this year to see what kind of difference it makes.

Pipe Wrap

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