Were those the 1 5/8 stepped headers for GenII? If so, I had a set before I went with Belanger. Even with fresh jet hot they ran really hot but made good power/torque. I definitely can tell a difference in heat reduction with the Belangers. Do you still have the Borlas?
Poll - header heat shields. You got 'em?
- Thread starter dave6666
- Start date
Were those the 1 5/8 stepped headers for GenII? If so, I had a set before I went with Belanger. Even with fresh jet hot they ran really hot but made good power/torque. I definitely can tell a difference in heat reduction with the Belangers. Do you still have the Borlas?
BOTTLEFED
Enthusiast
yeah, I've still got them on the car
I didn't know they ran any hotter than other headers
I didn't know they ran any hotter than other headers
DreamOn
Viper Owner
I'm not sure what kind of headers I have - other than RUSTY! (Currently the only one it seems) but I've heard plenty of good reasons to add them back to my engine. (Previous owner removed)
I haven't heard one good advantage to leaving them off and the risk to the car in general seems high. Seems to me the intelligent choice is to keep them if you have them / install them if you don't.
Thanks for this thread. So helpful to this newbie Viper owner.
dave6666
Enthusiast
Seems to me the intelligent choice is to keep them if you have them / install them if you don't.
Thanks for this thread. So helpful to this newbie Viper owner.
I'm starting to agree on putting them on when I do my headers. I really have no excuse, since my set is shiny purdy right now.
And I don't want holes melted in my plastic parts, living in Texas, where we call 110 deg Tuesday.
Viper Wizard
Enthusiast
Maybe this will help:
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I brought my ACR with Belanger's into Valaya Racing last month and Ted May said you should have the exhaust shields installed due to the high heat the headers give off. Another advantage is it hides the aftermarket headers from the smog inspection here in California.
We have always used header shields. The excessive heat can cause damage to wiring and other under hood components. The blower housing, plug wires, master cylinder, and brake lines can all be effected by heat. On supercharged engines this is especially prevalent.
There are many options, you can use your production heat shields (for most headers) or you can replace them with high quality Inconel covers. On mild steel headers (Bellanger) you need to space them out to
allow an air gap to keep the headers from cracking. If you keep the heat in the exhaust and out of the engine compartment your engine will make more power and run cooler.
Dan Cragin
DC Performance Inc.
310-841-6996
DC Performance: Proven Performance
There are many options, you can use your production heat shields (for most headers) or you can replace them with high quality Inconel covers. On mild steel headers (Bellanger) you need to space them out to
allow an air gap to keep the headers from cracking. If you keep the heat in the exhaust and out of the engine compartment your engine will make more power and run cooler.
Dan Cragin
DC Performance Inc.
310-841-6996
DC Performance: Proven Performance
RedEnuf93
Enthusiast
Belangers, no shields for 2 years now.
RedEnuf93
Enthusiast
Horrible pictures Chuck...
Which one was the primary reason, power steering cap that got loose?
ACELLR8
Enthusiast
Also, seems the guys running no cats and Jet Hot coated headers are not having any issues. I feel confident that the heat with the headers and no cats, in my case is much cooler temp wise than the stock manifolds.
Simms
Enthusiast
I have coated headers with stock heat shieds.
How much are the Inconel shields?
How much are the Inconel shields?
Steve 00RT/10
Enthusiast
I would tend to agree with this. We have both set ups. Both cars with Belanger headers, both have 5 pound Roes. One has no cats and 3" Belanger exhaust. One has hi flow cats, 3" Corsa track exhaust, and factory heat shields.
I have no intention of removing the shields on the car with cats. The underhood temp is still considerably hotter in the car with cats and shields. I forgot just how hot the sidesills get with cats in there....especially in parades and idling a long time in hot weather. Huge difference in heat all the way around.
As stated further up, I have 70,000 Belanger header miles and 6 years of use with no issues on the catless car. There probably aren't many Vipers out there with that kind of Belanger history under their belt.
I'm also running a few more RPMs on this car (more heat) with 3.45 gears. The heat shield car has a stock rear end....lower RPMs--less heat generated
Steve
wastntim
Enthusiast
I had bellangers installed last year. Based on Instructions with Belangers, tech left heat shields off. Based on this thread I'm starting to reconsider this decision. How difficult will it be to get my stock shields back on?
It's a chore...You have to remold the OEM shield to fit the Belangers and leave a gap between the shield and the header to allow for airflow. It's very doable but just a PITA due to the tight space around the headers. Wear gloves...those shields cut like razor blades. In hindsight, it may have been easier to mold the shields while the headers were uninstalled.
dave6666
Enthusiast
Good point on "bench" forming those shields. I wonder if just some simple tubular spacers on the studs might address some of that reforming.
And exactly how many beers is "It's a chore..."?
rtigert
Enthusiast
Mine were coated headers, I didn't have cats or mufflers (resonators only), on a 3" side-pipe conversion GTS and still had an issue.
Good point on "bench" forming those shields. I wonder if just some simple tubular spacers on the studs might address some of that reforming.
And exactly how many beers is "It's a chore..."?
I did mine in the heat of summer here last year... I think I went through a 12 pack that day. It was really humid. I was trying to be extra careful not to scratch the headers. Its not THAT bad. Tator says its a piece of cake.
dave6666
Enthusiast
So I can get the OE manifolds off to bolt on my new headers silly!
RedEnuf93
Enthusiast
BOTTLEFED
Enthusiast
OK so this thread made me curious and I went out and test fit the shields over my headers and they don't really fit at all.
I'm not sure how I'm going to keep them in place. I don't think the header bolts are long enough to go thru the shields and the header flange. Also, I can't get them to line up with the headers.
The shields rub on the headers, which my friend that works for HPC/Jethot says will void the warranty - keep this in mind those of you who have coated headers.
So I'm thinking of an alternative to the shields. I don't like the look of the shields at all
I'm not sure how I'm going to keep them in place. I don't think the header bolts are long enough to go thru the shields and the header flange. Also, I can't get them to line up with the headers.
The shields rub on the headers, which my friend that works for HPC/Jethot says will void the warranty - keep this in mind those of you who have coated headers.
So I'm thinking of an alternative to the shields. I don't like the look of the shields at all
wastntim
Enthusiast
So I'm thinking of an alternative to the shields. I don't like the look of the shields at all
What he said!
dave6666
Enthusiast
The OE bolts have extended studs for mounting the heat shields. You might investigate those.
Also, there might be the ability to put some tubular aluminum spacers on those studs moving the shields off the headers slightly. Would reduce the metal forming a bit maybe.
I'm still waiting for my exhaust to come in so the headers are sitting purdy in the house right now. I'll be an expert on all this shortly though. Soon as Lou gets done with the rest of my exhaust.
Also, there might be the ability to put some tubular aluminum spacers on those studs moving the shields off the headers slightly. Would reduce the metal forming a bit maybe.
I'm still waiting for my exhaust to come in so the headers are sitting purdy in the house right now. I'll be an expert on all this shortly though. Soon as Lou gets done with the rest of my exhaust.
BOTTLEFED
Enthusiast
^how much??
I don't know the price but Dan can answer that for us. I do know that they're made by Alloy Racing Covers. You can find more information and more heat shield kits here: DodgeViper According to this site, they are $236/side.
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BOTTLEFED
Enthusiast
Wow, and i thought the stockers were expensive
dave6666
Enthusiast
Worth every penny if you ask me, if they fit and work good.
So who can answer that?!?
ACELLR8
Enthusiast
Sorry but there is nothing pretty about them things. Looks like an HVAC Duct. But hey at least you won't have to worry about your car burning down.
Myself I prefer this.
Myself I prefer this.
