04-12-2021, 12:37 PM | #1 |
Major
843
Rep 1,497
Posts |
Coating Downpipe N55
Most places offer an option of a black thermal coating for an aftermarket downpipe. Normally adds $100 to the cost of the dp. I've seen several DIY's on using VHT header primer and flat back paint to coat the pipe. I bet you can get enough coverage out of 1 can of primer and paint. Prob do 4 coats of each. Paint should only cost $20. So what are your opinions on this being a worthy DIY? The paint will cure once installed and downpipe heats up then cools down.
|
04-13-2021, 03:29 PM | #3 |
Second Lieutenant
171
Rep 294
Posts |
From non BMW downpipe prior experience a thermal coating is more than just paint. It insulates the pipe keeping underhood temps down and increases internal gas flow (that last part I haven't tested)
I'm about as cheap as they come but for the sake of $80 I would get a true thermal coating. The difference in radiated heat is very noticeable on things like motorcycle exhausts which is my only experience with such coatings. |
Appreciate
1
M302_imola842.50 |
04-13-2021, 05:19 PM | #4 |
First Lieutenant
87
Rep 379
Posts |
When I had to install mine aftermarket vrsf for f32, I just bought thermal wrap at autozone. It was $11 as far as I remember. Fully wrapped.
|
Appreciate
1
M302_imola842.50 |
04-14-2021, 12:09 AM | #5 |
Major
3117
Rep 1,354
Posts
Drives: 2022 X5 m50i
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East
|
Thermal wrap is a great solution to keep the engine bay temps in check since it reduces the radiant heat by keeping the heat inside the exhaust, which also makes the exhaust gases move faster. It is a better option than thermal paint IMO and it prevents the DP from heating up the incoming air by increasing the engine bay temperature. Our DPs are easy to wrap unlike some complex curved exhaust manifolds.
__________________
2022 BMW X5 m50i
2024 MB S63 on order '18 X5 50i / '16 BMW F10 550xi / '13 BMW F10 535i / '07 BMW E64 630i / '03 BMW E65 745i / '95 BMW E34 540i / '89 BMW E30 M3 |
Appreciate
1
M302_imola842.50 |
04-14-2021, 07:43 AM | #6 | |||
Major
843
Rep 1,497
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
|||
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2021, 09:58 AM | #7 |
Major
3117
Rep 1,354
Posts
Drives: 2022 X5 m50i
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East
|
The catless DP is much smaller in overall diameter than the part it is replacing, so I don't think that you would have any fitment issues. Besides, the wrap gives you flexibility to skip a small section where there is a mount or plug etc. If you decide to use a non-titanium wrap, make sure that the installer uses a high temp silicone spray to seal the heat wrap material in order to provide protection from oil, dirt, etc. Hi temp silicone spray will provide additional heat protection while preventing the wrap from drying out.
__________________
2022 BMW X5 m50i
2024 MB S63 on order '18 X5 50i / '16 BMW F10 550xi / '13 BMW F10 535i / '07 BMW E64 630i / '03 BMW E65 745i / '95 BMW E34 540i / '89 BMW E30 M3 |
Appreciate
1
M302_imola842.50 |
04-14-2021, 11:19 AM | #8 | ||||
First Lieutenant
87
Rep 379
Posts |
Quote:
This is something I used. To wrap a dp, it takes 3 min. |
||||
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2021, 04:14 PM | #9 | ||
Major
843
Rep 1,497
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2021, 04:58 PM | #10 | |||
First Lieutenant
87
Rep 379
Posts |
Quote:
|
|||
Appreciate
1
M302_imola842.50 |
04-17-2021, 09:12 AM | #11 |
Major
843
Rep 1,497
Posts |
Talked to the shop that's installing the downpipe, and he recommended the brand DEI titanium wrap w/ the stainless steel ties. Says he wraps a ton of motorcycle headers in the stuff and it's worth the price. So that's the route I'll go.
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-17-2021, 09:58 AM | #12 |
Major
3117
Rep 1,354
Posts
Drives: 2022 X5 m50i
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East
|
DEI is a known brand.
__________________
2022 BMW X5 m50i
2024 MB S63 on order '18 X5 50i / '16 BMW F10 550xi / '13 BMW F10 535i / '07 BMW E64 630i / '03 BMW E65 745i / '95 BMW E34 540i / '89 BMW E30 M3 |
Appreciate
1
M302_imola842.50 |
04-22-2021, 01:07 PM | #14 |
Major
843
Rep 1,497
Posts |
Here's the dp I ordered for reference. VRSF's customer service was so terrible I didn't mind spending alittle extra getting the ER dp from Ben.
|
05-12-2021, 02:26 PM | #15 |
Major
843
Rep 1,497
Posts |
FYI, the install shop I used wasn't able to wrap my ER catless downpipe due to fitment being so tight. At least they didn't open the DEI wrap, and I was able to return it.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-13-2021, 12:48 PM | #16 |
First Lieutenant
87
Rep 379
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-13-2021, 01:09 PM | #17 |
Major
843
Rep 1,497
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-13-2021, 04:36 PM | #18 |
First Lieutenant
87
Rep 379
Posts |
I do not know. Mine from vrsf was wrapped and still fits well.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-13-2021, 04:42 PM | #19 |
Major
843
Rep 1,497
Posts |
Interesting! In the back of my head as the shop that did the install told me it wouldn't fit, I was thinking "they installed the dp then realized they forgot to wrap it" then made up the excuse it wouldn't fit.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-13-2021, 08:19 PM | #20 | |
Major
3117
Rep 1,354
Posts
Drives: 2022 X5 m50i
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East
|
Quote:
The fitment is so tight and there is such little clearance that a 1/16-inch thin layer of wrap cannot fit? SMH. Rather sounds like a coverup than a BMW engineering job.
__________________
2022 BMW X5 m50i
2024 MB S63 on order '18 X5 50i / '16 BMW F10 550xi / '13 BMW F10 535i / '07 BMW E64 630i / '03 BMW E65 745i / '95 BMW E34 540i / '89 BMW E30 M3 |
|
Appreciate
1
M302_imola842.50 |
05-14-2021, 09:07 AM | #22 |
Major
3117
Rep 1,354
Posts
Drives: 2022 X5 m50i
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East
|
Things happen for a reason. I wouldn't worry much about the wrap as you can offer it for sale and someone would probably grab it.
How does the added power feel with the DP?
__________________
2022 BMW X5 m50i
2024 MB S63 on order '18 X5 50i / '16 BMW F10 550xi / '13 BMW F10 535i / '07 BMW E64 630i / '03 BMW E65 745i / '95 BMW E34 540i / '89 BMW E30 M3 |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|