mike the snake

I have a Thunderbolt Cat with QDHT and internal hot pipe. I've only run it without the hatch for good ventilation.

I attended a race where I saw a boat with a rubbery pipe heat wrap that really really worked. I could hold my hand on the pipe shortly after hard running. I was impressed, as all I've seen to date is the asbestos fabric wrap stuff that's porous and heavy.

I Finally found that tape! It's called "Tommy Tape", and it's sold at Home Depot as "stretch and seal" in the plumbing department.

It sticks to itself, and can handle the heat that even steel hotpipes produce.

This is THE ticket for my big cat, and especially multi-engined boats with internally mounted pipes.

It comes in many colors, but Home Depot carries black and clear.

Here's a couple pics, might be hard to see, but it wraps tightly and neatly, and doesn't unwrap

Justaddwata

My Feedback: (3)

I have used it to make a tighter fit at headers and similar. Had not thought about using it the whole way down a pipe. I purchased some roles at a tradeshow - stuff was expensive then and there but has worked well when I have needed it.

mike the snake

It was about $6 a roll and a roll did my pipe with extra to spare.

I was really surprised at how cool it kept the pipe.

I'm going to go run my Thunderbolt with it's hatch tomorrow!

webdr

hmmmmm....
Im interested now.

Maybe I should try some.

Scott Schneider

Used it for years .... Yup works better than ceramic coatings !!

mike the snake

I ran my Thunderbolt cat today with the hatch installed and the heat tape wrapped around the header and flex coupler (the hottest pieces by far) as well, and I am super impressed.

The tape held up even on those high heat areas, and kept the heat down inside the boat.

This tape is now a permanent part of my toolbox

webdr

so do you think it will need to be taken off and new tape applied ever?

Scott Schneider

Only if it becomes damaged .... otherwise it is very permanent.

Kev_B

Is this the stuff I know as 'self amalgamating' tape? Eventually becomes one solid piece? I never realised it withstood that much heat. Interesting, have to give it a go.

Kev.