Exhaust headers to wrap or not

[Chris]

I can't give much advise with regards to IVA test only that if common sense is used you should be ok
and just make sure as previously mentioned.
No sharp edges on heat shields and make sure that you have adequate shields in all areas of extreme
heat .
My headers are just mild steel and have been there for more than twenty years on my SRV8,
that's with just exhaust spray paint, no wrapping .
They would benefit from a re-paint but am not sure if mess with them they will not fall apart !
I have thought about trying to source replacements at some point but find these kind of things
are not as easy as things use to be .
Chris.

[Kev Davies UKCC Membership]

Heat shields are fine as long there no sharp edges like everything else.
As for wrap it's fine on stainless but on mild steel I have heard of manifolds rusting badly under it.
Never really used it much myself.

[Russell]

Hi all,
  I'm getting ready to do the final fit for my exhaust headers and I've read various opinions on using exhaust wrap. Some say it's a bad idea as the increased heat can lead to metal fatigue and they can trap moisture leading to rusting, I've think I've also read of IVA failures because of no heat shielding.

What is the collective group opinion on this?

Would sheet metal head shields be acceptable to the IVA inspector?

It's an AK gen 3 so I'm particularly concerned about the break servo.

Cheers
  Russell