How Hot Do Headers Get?
How Hot Do Headers Get? I'm wondering becuase I'm looking at boot protectors to go with my OTVC install, and they only have 500* and 1200*. I know 500* isn't enough but is 1200?
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Under lean conditions it'll glow red, above 1500 will cause excessive NOX and will faintly glow in the dark. It depends on the headers you have, stainless steel will hold in the heat better with the exhaust stream, ceramic should keep most of it in, but it'll still give 2nd at the slightest touch. Stainless and ceramic is a great combo for heat conservation. Within 15 mins and a hell of a good heat tolerance, you can touch the headers. I did once and forgot I had cats on my car so you can imagine when I "accidently" touched that instead of grabbing the collector to pull myself from inspecting underneath.
At idle on a hot summer day, I've measured upwards of 900+ degrees with an infrared thermometer just after the head exhaust port...the headers are Kooks stainless, non-coated.
