insulated blankets/wrapping & heat tape
 

Hi everyone --

Haven't seen much discussion about insulation here, but came across this excellent thread on another forum where extensive testing was done...data geeks will love this: Heat Management Testing and analysis (DEI Heat Wrap, Turbo Blanket, Reflective Tape) - Honda-Tech It's a long thread, but a good read.

A few good pics here for ideas: Gimmick Motorsports Titanium Heat Wrap and Turbo Blanket (vs. DEI and PTP ) - NASIOC

The benefits from doing this seem significant. If you're considering a build, this would be infinitely easier to do while everything's apart, rather than trying to add afterwards! An interesting location for reflective tape suggested in the Honda thread was the backside of the intercooler collector tanks, to eliminate some radiant heat raising the temperature of the aluminum. Also discussed in the thread were phenolic gaskets between the intake manifold and throttle body to curb heat soak transfer, to help drop intake temps even further.

A turbo blanket and miles of heat wrap are essential on any FI build. Since our intake manifold is plastic, it doesn't really transmit heat like a metal one would.

I wrapped the crap out of everything when I did my install... but I do not have turbo blankets... I have considered adding them though.... hmm. I'll have the car apart over Christmas for a few other things, maybe I need to add this to the list.

Chuck - are you running blankets on your TTs?

No, there wasn't room under the heat shields. But everything else is wrapped when possible and ceramic coated, including the hot sides of the turbo.

Interesting - where is the placement on your kit?

On my V3, it looks like I could fit them.... Couple of pics:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p_...=w1369-h770-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kG...=w1369-h770-no

It looks like it will fit, but getting it on there is a different story. At least after install.

Think so? They look like they are pretty simple to wrap on....
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....L._SL1081_.jpg

And the knockoff versions are cheap enough it might be worth trying...
https://www.amazon.com/HM-FC-Titaniu...3+lava+blanket

I'll be pulling a bunch of crap anyway over Christmas... think I might give it a shot!

The issue would be getting it on and wired to stay. It wouldn't be too bad during the install of the kit, but the heat shields over the turbos are kinda in the way. I'm sure you could do it, but you'll have some bloody knuckles.

Depending on Turbo location, heat shields rather than blankets or wrap can be a better solution.
Turbo blankets & wrap do a great job at reducing radiant heat but can cause significant problems as well.
Corky Bell posts occasionally over on the Miata forums & gives a bit of insight, i'll post a link to a similiar discussion over there. regarding turbo blankets - MX-5 Miata Forum
Cheers, Trevor.

Thanks for this info! If Corky Bell doesn't like turbo blankets, then I don't either. I guess one less thing on the list.

edit: For anyone wondering - Corky's take is that the blanket will have a substantial negative impact on the life of the turbo itself and he suggests shielding the surrounding heat sensitive components themselves instead of blanketing the turbine.

Seems logical.