I'm building my first turbo car. Do people use all the mazda shielding around the turbo and manifold?

 

Yes. You want to keep the manifold and turbine as hot as possible. If the exhaust cools it will lose energy before it gets to the turbo.

It's also important to keep the heat isolated from the other components in the engine bay. Lower iats as well as rubber/plastic pieces lasting longer.

 

The exhaust cooling using a stock turbo and manifold is hardly an issue; it's such a short run. Although with after market manifolds it's a good idea to wrap your self

I have no shield on mine, and damn is the heat there brutal. I've wrapped most things in the area with heat reflective tubing/tape though.

Another thing people do (myself included) is to cover the LIM with reflective tape. How much of a performance effect there is, I don't know. But it can't hurt. It seems to hold in place also.

 

The exhaust temps can run up to 2000 degrees on wide open throttle, so what do you think.

 

^not that hot. NA can hit 1800, turbo can hit 1675. but yeah, still pretty damn hot!

 

Could make some hamburgers on it pretty quick.

Put your hand on the down pipe and your hand will smell like a good BBQ

 

I planned on a turbo blanket and wrap the DP. Haven't seen anyone selling the one for the stock S4 manifold. If I could find all the mazda pieces would that be enough. Or just go afternarket for everything?

 

You will have a hard time fitting a blanket on the turbo properly since it's an internal wastegate.

The factory pieces are going to be the best option.

 

thanks