Railgun

Ok. So I was thinking about this. Is there anything that's actually practical by way of a screen that would protect the turbo in the even that you lunch an apex seal or three? Something that would obviously be between the manifold and the turbo itself to "catch" the pieces before they lunch the torbo too, heat resistant and in such a way as to not impede exhaust energy to the turbo.

Just a thought

DomFD3S

Honestly, I doubt it.

Keep in mind that the apex seals are able to fly through the engine itself (at their given rate of speed),...anything that is capable of IMMEDIATELY stopping an apex seal dead in it's tracks,...would have to be pretty strong and very very expensive.

I've seen bullet proof vests up close (friend of mine works for the police department,...and another friend manufacturers a kevlar based product for various police departments.). The "protectant" (kevlar, etc.) is pretty thick. Even then,...the bullets are not fired at point blank range, rather from a distance.

A product that is capable of protecting the turbos from a high velocity apex seal would have to:

1) withstand the high amount of heat generated from the turbos
2) NOT act as a insulator, which the purpose would be to NOT redirect the heat back to the turbos and surrounding area.
3) Be "small enough" to fit in the confines of the engine bay.
4) Be "strong enough" to stop a flying apex seal.
5) Still be cheap enough to attract a buyer.

Quite a task for a product, if you asked me.

Railgun

Heh...told ya it was off the wall.

But an apex seal wouldn't necessarily be flying full force as there's no direct path from the housing to the turbo inlet. It would be either pushed from the exhaust pressure or pulled from the vac. that the turbo could make if it's still spinning after the motor's stopped.

As far as kevlar...depends on the app. I worked in a data center where the security booth was surrounded with it. About 1.5-2 inches thick. I've got a piece of it somewhere. Nasty stuff when it's cut to size. That dust will tear the hell outta your lungs. I've seen the military version too. Just inserts that you suppliment a flak jacket with. Plus all helmets are made out of it too.

But I was thinking more along the lines of a steel mesh or whatever would handle the temp well enough to not break apart. It would have to be replaceable as if the motor does go, it might have taken damage. Perhaps it could double as a gasket too.

Maybe I should "market" this and start a thread along the same lines as that "anti-det" thing and see what happens.

RETed

The screen would just hinder airflow and cause power loss, if it does work.&nbsp Most screens have a "cover area" (I forgot the real term) of like 20% and more!&nbsp That means you're restricting airflow in a very big way!


-Ted

peejay

Why bother? Your engine is lunched, might as well throw the turbo away too.