Turbo blankets. Yay or nay?

[A80Avant]

But isn't high exhaust temps also a reason for manifold cracking and hot side cracking?

[Thuppu]

Heatsoak under the bonnet isn't good either.

[JP]

I'm running heatwrap on the runners and downpipe and a blanket on the turbo. Although I'm using the magma fibres which can withstand higher temps although you pay for what you get.

The original ones were very overpriced although the very cheap ones nowadays use less materials thinner materials and lower quality fibres so their overal effectiveness is less noticeable.

Keeping the heat in the manifold does two things it keeps pressure up making the turbo spool quicker however once on boost you need to get rid of the pressure quickly through the use of a larger wastegate than normal.
The second issue is by keeping the heat in the hotside if you are running a roller bearing turbo you are more likely to lessen it's lifespan as the polymer cages melt from the extra heat. Which is were I guess the cheap blankets become more favorable.
I've always got my turbo guy to upgrade the bearing cages to metal ones to assist with the coping with the extra heat.

Done zirconian plasma coating before which can withstand the highest possible temps and even that stuff eventually cracks and chips of hence going wrap this time round.

As for exh gas temps I'm currently running my fresh setup on my own tweaked base map so only doing 1.3bar but even then measuring all five cylinders at the exh ports I've not seen any temps above 650celsius below 7000rpm and at idle I'm seeing 360celsius. Whereas previously on motronic at idle I was seeing 420celsius without a turbo blanket and cheaper exhaust wrap. From which I can only draw the conclusion that keeping the extra heat in allows it ironically to be less as it stays at a higher velocity.

[prj]

Idle exhaust temp depends on torque reserve. Probably you had more torque reserve before.

Torque reserve means retarding ignition timing at the idle point, so that if the rpm drops down from the idle point ignition timing can rapidly be phased in and thus the idle can be maintained.

The ISV is way too slow to compensate for rapid load changes on the engine (such as turning the steering suddenly, AC switching on etc). Ignition timing is used for that.
Thus - more torque reserve means later ignition angle at idle and higher temperature as well.

[terrybullwon]

I think this is the correct way http://www.zircotec.com/

[JP]

@prj Good info :-)

@terrybullwon zircotec take their name from zirconian plasma coating. If you read their small print there is no warranty against FI use

[terrybullwon]

@terrybullwon zircotec take their name from zirconian plasma coating. If you read their small print there is no warranty against FI use[/QUOTE]

Just read your post back and got that

[EspenW]

The turbo blanket arrived in approx 10 days. Registered mail with tracking.
First ever order from Ali Express, no problems at all.
Looks excellent, and is very cose to 100% identical to the ones that I have seen ranging from £50 to £220 at local parts stores.
This one cost me £13.50 delivered. That is simply astonishing.

Here is a pic along with the IR thermometer that I have picked up on Ebay previously (£7 including shipping (that is nuts as well).
Will use the IR to check temps with/without blanket and will do some back to back testing for power/torque graphs and acceleration numbers.

[Greg_S]

Will be keeping an eye on how you get on. I bought one of those thermostats a while back for my house too

[UUUdirs2newcastle]

My Wrapped Intake & Downpipe

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I decided to wrap the intake pipe that runs over the head, and also the 3" Downpipe.

I wanna keep it cool under there!

Interesting how the wrap on the downpipe went brown due to the temperatures and the one on the final leg of intake is still nice and white!

[Jamo]

I'm really not a fan of wrap on downpipes, ala oil leak = wrap becomes a wick!

[UUUdirs2newcastle]

My engine is pretty bone dry (lately), but I will keep an eye on it Jamo!

[EspenW]

I hope the air filter heat shield was off for the picture

[JP]

700 miles with max egt's measured at the exhaust port being 640celsius. Not impressed and wont be going back on as a blatant fire risk.

[V6quattro]

What brand was it?