I have been on the hunt for a cheaper alternative for some thermal shield and decided to try this stuff. Being the datalogger type I have been measuring the outlet temps from my Hybrid Monster FMIC and was very happy, until I put my hand on the crossover pipe and feel the temp after a hard run. All that FMIC cooling goodness wasted.

This Flashtac product is available at Bunnings and maybe other hardware stores and cost about $20 for 10m. It is a layer of aluminium strip, thicker than foil and backed with a tarry adhesive substance. It did all of the piping required.

I'm also a tight bastard so I preferred to weld up my own FMIC piping from 2.5" mild steel instead of ally or stainless, at least until I have my setup complete to my satisfaction. With my fetish for a twin turbo RB26 setup not yet fed, the FMIC piping is still temporary.

The downside of mild is the rust, so unsightly and unprofessional so here comes the fix. The flashtac is shiny (bling bling) for the looks department, as well as rejecting radiated heat.

I removed the front bar and set to work with a wire brush to remove some of the ugly rust. Then I gave it a wipe down and out came the flashtac.

I pulled off the crossover pipe to wrap it as this one gets the most radiated heat so was most important. Just a slight overlap as you go along is ideal and work it flat along the way to get the look. To obtain a much smoother look rub it in with a glass bottle (beer ).

Then the inlet and outlet get done on the FMIC as they are visible and that is way uncool to have rust on. I know, ponies before chromies but you gotta maintain some respect.

Then back on with the front bar and happy days. No more rust and a really cool race cred finish to your FMIC piping.

Now the crossover pipe just gets a little warm instead of hot to touch and as all Engineers know, thermal energy transfer is a logarithmic function dependent on the temperature differential so this is not a wasted exercise as the pipe is much cooler even if still *warm*. I would normally measure temps and stuff but the fingers are sensitive enough to tell the difference here.

An afternote is that the tar adhesive does get tacky in the warm engine bay, but I am yet to see any actually melt out from its location. I bags NOT removing it from the pipe ever as it will be a solid gold Biatch.

Enjoy in moderation. I take no responsibility for anyone silly enough to put this on their bling bling expensive polished piping as there will be a massive effort to clean off.

DO NOT PUT THIS ON EXHAUST PIPE, please!!

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the gibson r32 gtr we had at autosalon had this same method on its throttle body and intercooler piping, looks good

Thanks Paul. Really noticing the heat difference after driving. The cold off boost air keeps it pretty cold to the touch. Who am I kidding. Even on boost the FMIC is so big it maintains to within 1 degree of ambient temp. Warms a little after sitting though.

As an update. The tar backing is not leaking out at all after hours of driving (Winton and return) or a 20min hard session through twisties. I am really impressed and the guys who see it immediately think race car.

That Flashtac stuff is good. It survives for years outside on corrugated roofing iron which can be in continuous direct tropical summer sun, and is supposed to be waterproof in winter. Should work well either under the font guard or in the engine compartment.

Another way is sponge neoprene sheet, like the stuff wet suits are made from. Available from Clark Rubber in various thicknesses, glued directly on to the intercooler pipework with "Kwik Grip" contact adhesive. It stretches a lot, so is easy to wrap neatly around sharp mandrel bends.

Or you could get ur cooler pipes ceramically coated like i got mine. Works really well but is alot more expensive

The goal was always cheap and effective. I've achieved both.


I'd seen the neoprene done before so wanted to come up with something novel, but neoprene is a great idea.

I agree the Flashtac idea is brilliant, cheap, simple, easy, and effective.

Price of "Flashtac" ?

What would be the results if you used 'Flashtac' on the exhaust manifold?

It's a tar based product on the back of the foil so you would lots of smoke, then a fire so as posted before DO NOT PUT THIS ON EXHAUST PIPE, please!!

It is fine for inlet and protecting against radiated heat.

Geoff, How many metres did you use for all of the piping?

You can get away with the single 10m roll but may need a bit more if you have more piping to do.

:bananaman

Geoff,
Have you got any temperature figures to back up how much of a difference the FlashTec has made?