Pipe Wrap

[TomGracey]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Nope

 

[daveberari]

How riggers with out in the open pipes?

 

[Danny King]

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]

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

 

[Danny King]

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]

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

 

[RobertDoak]

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

 

[David Murany]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.