Could the heat from exhaust pipes start a fuel fire with lines < 1" away?
05-16-2004, 10:11 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Central Massachusetts
Posts: 369
Could the heat from exhaust pipes start a fuel fire with lines < 1" away?
I came across a Pacesetter LT/Custom true dual set up for my car.
Apparently when installed on the previous owners car, the pipe that goes from the end of the header to the x-pipe is about 3/4" away from fuel/brake lines at one point (near the very end of the header I think). He said even with a heat shield, the lines become very very hot even after a 10-15 min ride. So hot that you can't even touch the line 10" away from the point where its closest to the pipe.
He told me since the lines are steel, it should be fine. I'd like to hear if this is dangerous or not? Could I wrap the lines with header wrap or something and use a good heat shield??? All input appreciated.
Thanks,
-Adam
Apparently when installed on the previous owners car, the pipe that goes from the end of the header to the x-pipe is about 3/4" away from fuel/brake lines at one point (near the very end of the header I think). He said even with a heat shield, the lines become very very hot even after a 10-15 min ride. So hot that you can't even touch the line 10" away from the point where its closest to the pipe.
He told me since the lines are steel, it should be fine. I'd like to hear if this is dangerous or not? Could I wrap the lines with header wrap or something and use a good heat shield??? All input appreciated.
Thanks,
-Adam
05-17-2004, 03:29 PM
#4
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Martinsville, Indiana
Posts: 369
my car was the same way, i have pacesetter LTs and a custom Y pipe, but it was still really close the the fuel/brake lines.
whenever i had a cutout welded up, the shop that did it pulled me in there and showed me, and told me i should wrap the pipe with some header wrap(which i did) because it was probably hurting my performance a little, heating the gas, causing poor throttle response, and the heated brake lines could cause brake fade.
i don't know that i noticed a difference in either, since i wrapped the pipe. but i'd still do it.
btw, i drove about 1500 miles with it like that and it didn't cause a fire.....660 miles of that non-stop (exept for gas)
whenever i had a cutout welded up, the shop that did it pulled me in there and showed me, and told me i should wrap the pipe with some header wrap(which i did) because it was probably hurting my performance a little, heating the gas, causing poor throttle response, and the heated brake lines could cause brake fade.
i don't know that i noticed a difference in either, since i wrapped the pipe. but i'd still do it.
btw, i drove about 1500 miles with it like that and it didn't cause a fire.....660 miles of that non-stop (exept for gas)
05-17-2004, 04:03 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,622
it would have to melt the steel line, then get fuel out and ignite it. evne pouring fuel onto the exhaust woudnt cause it to light up.
the flash point for fuel is pretty hot, like a couple hundred degrees.
it would heat the fuel, and thats not good, but even then I dont think enough to do anything. if it was the plastic line I would say cover it with something so you dont lose your fuel and have to buy a new line. but still wouldnt be worried about a fire.
the flash point for fuel is pretty hot, like a couple hundred degrees.
it would heat the fuel, and thats not good, but even then I dont think enough to do anything. if it was the plastic line I would say cover it with something so you dont lose your fuel and have to buy a new line. but still wouldnt be worried about a fire.
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