Putting in Samco radiator hoses with a tubular manifold. Do I need to put some heat protection on the top one near the mani, or can it take it?

 

The advantage of using silicon over the stock rubber radiator hoses is that they don't dry up and become brittle as fast due to heat cycling, so they *should* last longer. However, having a tubular manifold next to the radiator hose is NOT good, as the thin-walled runners will transfer a lot more heat into the engine bay. I'd use the samco hoses AND thermal wrap.

 

For what heat wrap costs, I'd think it'd be worth the investment to put it on for daily drving, if you pop the hood, pull it off

 

Whats the least ghetto-looking thermal wrap option? Function over form of course, but curious what you guys were running. Thanks.

 

I'll be running a custom made hard pipe...

 

Do a search for my name and manifold... I had some pics up of some material I got from Lowes that seems to be the same stuff used to make casts for broken arms, legs, etc. I believe it is rated for 600 degrees.

 

Well, the silicone spatula I use in the kitchen is good for upwards of 500degF so I would imagine that purely from a heat resistance perspective the Samco hoses can probably handle the temperature. However, as folks have mentioned, the heat radiated from your manifold will get pretty high. It makes sense to heat wrap it. Personally I'm going to use some of the Thermo-Tec hose wraps that Jeg's.