mkd

iTrader: (8)

I'm doing a rebuild and considering wrapping all the post-turbo pipes in some sort of thermal-insulating tape. Does it actually make any difference in charge temp? Or am I wasting money?

mr2peak

Post-turbo pipes, not really? You're better off with a turbo blanket and ceramic coat or wrap on the downpipe. I think there are some twin heat shield kits if you're on the twins. Stop the heat in the bay where it starts first. If you do wrap the intake pipes, make sure to get a fiberglass-backed tape, the reflective coating only helps with radiant glowing heat, the fiberglass layer will help with more normal heat sources.

It does look nice though, I'm all for a gold wrapped engine bay. Not everything needs to be 100% functional to improve your car

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

you're trying to get heat OUT of the intercooler pipes...

cr-rex

iTrader: (114)

I did all my piping in the dei gold foil. I did it for the look and not the performance benefit. The tape is a thermal barrier and not an insulator. Does it make a difference? Not in my engine bay. Vented hood, v mount, A LOT of deletes. My car runs extremely cool on its own and my iat is always ambient or within a few degrees. If you want to do it, do it but do it for the look and not the performance benefit. If there ends up being a difference then its just extra credit.

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Thing is the air is moving VERY fast through those pipes, it isn't sticking around long enough to gather heat. That's why intercoolers have fins inside them - this slows the air down and lets it shed heat into the aluminum of the intercooler.

If you want to get heat out of the engine bay, easiest and best way is to ceramic coat the downpipe. HUGE difference. Second would be some sort of ceramic coating for the turbine housings/exhaust manifolds of the turbos but it could be tricky finding a quality coating that will hold up to the heat, that is INSANE levels of heat on them. Coatings should be professionally applied, this isn't something you can do at home. I've had multiple down pipes coated by Jet-Hot with fantastic results and they LAST.

This is the tricky part with an engine project - there is no end of "While you are in there" stuff. You have to be realistic and focus. I've seen a LOT of projects get sidelined by "well I'm going to do this, but before that I should do this, going to fab this up...." and you end up with a car that doesn't run that rots. That's where a LOT of FD parts cars have come from - well-intentioned projects.

Dale

mkd

iTrader: (8)

Tell me about it with the DP… started with one layer, then two, now three layers of Design Engineering titanium heat wrap. Every additional layer made a noticeable difference in heat IN THE CABIN. Can’t imagine what it’s doing for under-hood temps.

Anyway that makes a lot of sense about not wanting to keep hot air IN post-turbo, pre-IC and after all the effect good or bad is likely to be so negligible that it doesn’t matter either way.

Appreciate the feedback.

Testrun

I did ceramic coating inside the DP and wrapped it on the outside. Not sure how long it will hold up on the inside. I feel wrap is a little better at insulating, but that's just me.
Heat shielding for the intakes (trying to block the radiant heat from the turbos), try and shield the lim. There aren't really any "twin" blankets out there that I am aware of.
My little red neck engineered heat shield added to the Pettit "cool charge" shield actually dropped the temps about 10° by the intakes. Not bad imo. Eventually I will get around to doing it with a thicker metal and making it look a bit more professional.


To answer your question... not really. I think a lot of it is looks. I guess a bunch of things added together definitely can't hurt!!

Project88Turbo

iTrader: (22)

I used the heat reflective tape on the outside of the LIM. No idea what difference it made, but it couldn't hurt, right?

Vince

R-R-Rx7

iTrader: (24)

I have yet to see ceramic coating make any significant difference on the exhaust side.
I recommend inconel shield instead. And before i get attacked for the costs, Yes the cost is a little higher , if you go to the manufacturer directly the cost is not prohibitive vs going through vendors who mark them up 100% and more

briansfd

iTrader: (4)

another way to go is with header shield if you dont want to pay the premium for inconel.

mr2peak

Who is the manufacturer?

R-R-Rx7

iTrader: (24)

There are plenty manufacturers. i use ATP WRAP

Trout2

iTrader: (5)

Will they sell you the material to DIY? I've read their pricing is more reasonable. I hate the risk shipping valuable parts around.

R-R-Rx7

iTrader: (24)

I dont know but the material is very hard to form.
i shipped my stuff to them from cyprus and if i was going to do it all over again i would still ship them the stuff. The craftsmanship is superb