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      04-12-2021, 12:37 PM   #1
M302_imola
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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.
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      04-13-2021, 10:39 AM   #2
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Geez, if you mention downpipe around here it's like most everyone's mind goes blank and they have no comment.
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      04-13-2021, 03:29 PM   #3
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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.
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      04-13-2021, 05:19 PM   #4
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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.
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      04-14-2021, 12:09 AM   #5
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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.
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      04-14-2021, 07:43 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ascotgrun View Post
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolianovskyi View Post
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hufington View Post
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.
All very valid points. Gems like this is why I wanted to make this thread so thanks. I'm going to look into the wrap. I'm sure the shop doing my install will wrap it with no extra charge since it's easy (as long as I provide the wrap). The only concern with wrapping the dp is it will increase the overall diameter so with tight fitment as is I wonder if the wrapped portion will rub against a mount or brace? And will the clamp still fit around the dp or does the clamp go on before the wrap?
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      04-14-2021, 09:58 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M302_imola View Post
The only concern with wrapping the dp is it will increase the overall diameter so with tight fitment as is I wonder if the wrapped portion will rub against a mount or brace? And will the clamp still fit around the dp or does the clamp go on before the wrap?
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.
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      04-14-2021, 11:19 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M302_imola View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ascotgrun View Post
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolianovskyi View Post
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hufington View Post
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.
All very valid points. Gems like this is why I wanted to make this thread so thanks. I'm going to look into the wrap. I'm sure the shop doing my install will wrap it with no extra charge since it's easy (as long as I provide the wrap). The only concern with wrapping the dp is it will increase the overall diameter so with tight fitment as is I wonder if the wrapped portion will rub against a mount or brace? And will the clamp still fit around the dp or does the clamp go on before the wrap?
https://www.autozone.com/emission-co...rap/720807_0_0

This is something I used. To wrap a dp, it takes 3 min.
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      04-14-2021, 04:14 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hufington View Post
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.
Yeah I've seen pics of the stock dp and you're right, it's huge. Ok, so sounds like titanium wrap is the way to go. Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolianovskyi View Post
https://www.autozone.com/emission-co...rap/720807_0_0

This is something I used. To wrap a dp, it takes 3 min.
For some reason the link you sent was busted but is this what you were referring to? https://www.autozone.com/emission-co...rap/720708_0_0
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      04-14-2021, 04:58 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M302_imola View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by hufington View Post
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.
Yeah I've seen pics of the stock dp and you're right, it's huge. Ok, so sounds like titanium wrap is the way to go. Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolianovskyi View Post
https://www.autozone.com/emission-co...rap/720807_0_0

This is something I used. To wrap a dp, it takes 3 min.
For some reason the link you sent was busted but is this what you were referring to? https://www.autozone.com/emission-co...rap/720708_0_0
Hi! Yes. You can come to any auto shop and buy thermal wrap that they have right at the moment.
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      04-17-2021, 09:12 AM   #11
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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.
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      04-17-2021, 09:58 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M302_imola View Post
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.
DEI is a known brand.
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      04-21-2021, 03:51 PM   #13
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You guys think 2"x35' length titanium wrap is enough to cover the downpipe? I'm thinking 50' is a bit excessive.
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      04-22-2021, 01:07 PM   #14
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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.
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      05-12-2021, 02:26 PM   #15
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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.
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      05-13-2021, 12:48 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M302_imola View Post
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.
So, that is a problem of ER item.
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      05-13-2021, 01:09 PM   #17
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Quote:
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So, that is a problem of ER item.
ER downpipe fit just fine without the wrap. With the wrap it would have been to tight, or at least that's what the shop that installed told me.
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      05-13-2021, 04:36 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M302_imola View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolianovskyi View Post
So, that is a problem of ER item.
ER downpipe fit just fine without the wrap. With the wrap it would have been to tight, or at least that's what the shop that installed told me.
I do not know. Mine from vrsf was wrapped and still fits well.
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      05-13-2021, 04:42 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolianovskyi View Post
I do not know. Mine from vrsf was wrapped and still fits well.
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.
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      05-13-2021, 08:19 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by M302_imola View Post
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.
That's what I was thinking!
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.
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      05-14-2021, 06:36 AM   #21
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Quote:
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That's what I was thinking!
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.
What really pissed me off is the ebay vendor I got the DEI wrap off of doesn't offer returns and 50' cost me right at $50
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      05-14-2021, 09:07 AM   #22
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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?
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