Hi,

I've just purchased a tubular manifold for my 16VT and I will install it soon. What do you think about wrapping it? I know that that it makes the manifold more brittle and prone to cracking but I'm really afraid that the heat caused from it can cause some damage to the wiring loom or set fire to the under bonnet insulation. My car is a daily runner so I want it to be as safe as possible

I run this manifold



The car has 2 x 25 minutes sessions around Spa and I didn't set fire to my under bonnet insulation, so you will be fine with the normal manifold that you've got

I know 2 people which are in the Bulgarian alfa romeo forum. They are with 16vt and tubular manifold. Both manifolds were cracked and not wraped...First one was Supersprint and the second one was made here in BG. So maybe it depends on how the manifold is made (quality).

...And also whether it's weight is supported or not. A lot of Coops go about without the downpipe support clamp, leaving the whole weight of the turbo and downpipe to rest on the manifold. In which case it's guaranteed to crack eventually.

Yes, very good point...

If you're worried about heat, have a look at Zircotec treatment - not cheap, but reputed to be highly effective

Added benefit is that the heat retention will spool the turbo up a bit earlier

I wouldn't wrap it. If it looks as good as Begbie's then I'd want to show it off

There are plenty of products other than wrapping the exhaust though, heat shields, sleeves for hoses and wiring etc...

I've heard about the Zircotec ceramic coating but it's too expensive for me. There is a company in Bulgaria which is in partership with Zircotec but the price for manifold coating is 400-800£. As far as I know there is no other company that offers ceramic coating here.

Il second that I asked for to have mine done and they said in the area of £350 which I thought was to much so wrapping it is then

You can ceramic coat it yourself too with a can of primer and ceramic coating. Only watch what max temperature it can have. Not the same quality I guess but it should do the job.

I have a tubular manifold too. Stil not cracked after a few years. But i have 2 support brackets on the downpipe and turbo. If you dont wrap or coat the manifold the chance that your valvecover seal is going to leak is very big. Maybe if the pipes are far away from the engine its fine like begbie's manifold. Mine is to close I noticed......

Leave it bare, if you are worried about under bonnets temps then ceramic coat professionally (not spray on). Wrap is cheap, nasty and goes manky after time. In my experience either do it properly or leave it.

Today the manifold was installed. After a long deliberation I decided to wrap it. My downpipe has support clamp and I hope that it won't crack. I'm really pleased with the result, it's such a good performance upgrade.