Is a turbo insulation kit like this one a good idea?
11-15-2001, 01:31 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 967
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is a turbo insulation kit like this one a good idea?
Or will insulating the turbo (to lower engine bay temps) be harmful to the turbo itself?
How much convection cooling takes place on the turbo anyway... wouldnt most of it be oil cooled?<ul><li><a href="http://www.thermotec.com/tt/turbo.html">http://www.thermotec.com/tt/turbo.html</a</li></ul>
How much convection cooling takes place on the turbo anyway... wouldnt most of it be oil cooled?<ul><li><a href="http://www.thermotec.com/tt/turbo.html">http://www.thermotec.com/tt/turbo.html</a</li></ul>
11-17-2001, 06:38 AM
#5
Elder Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 39,901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
never insulate your exhaust
Unless you designed the system yourself and verified the heat solution, you can't be sure you won't exceed the operating temperature limits of the system.
11-19-2001, 10:58 PM
#7
New Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Is a turbo insulation kit like this one a good idea?
I've seen some very high-output turbo kits(such as Supras) which have thermal insulation around the turbo, but I can't remember if it was around the intake or exhaust side.
Insulating the exhaust side should(ideally) do two things:
1) Reduce intake temps by keeping the engine bay and compressor wheel cooler.
2) Increase exhaust gas pressure by keeping the exhaust hot,so it has the maximum pressure to push the turbo.
Whether the turbo could handle this extra heat is a good question. I would say that it would be a good idea if you have a very large exhaust and HF cat. It would probably be a very bad idea if you have the stock cat and exhaust. Its been shown that EGT's significantly decrease with just a HF cat and 3" DP.
-Ian
Insulating the exhaust side should(ideally) do two things:
1) Reduce intake temps by keeping the engine bay and compressor wheel cooler.
2) Increase exhaust gas pressure by keeping the exhaust hot,so it has the maximum pressure to push the turbo.
Whether the turbo could handle this extra heat is a good question. I would say that it would be a good idea if you have a very large exhaust and HF cat. It would probably be a very bad idea if you have the stock cat and exhaust. Its been shown that EGT's significantly decrease with just a HF cat and 3" DP.
-Ian
Trending Topics
11-20-2001, 11:42 PM
#8
Member
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In theory it's a good idea.
I won't go into why it would be beneficial since that has already been covered.
The idea is to keep the heat in the turbo. The most likely problem is oil coking but you could also crack the turbo itself, although less likely.
Numerous people have reported cracked headers after installing the wrap over them. The safest thing you can do is protect the intake tract with insulation. That shouldn't do any damage and should keep the intake temp cool during hard driving and warm weather.
Mike
The idea is to keep the heat in the turbo. The most likely problem is oil coking but you could also crack the turbo itself, although less likely.
Numerous people have reported cracked headers after installing the wrap over them. The safest thing you can do is protect the intake tract with insulation. That shouldn't do any damage and should keep the intake temp cool during hard driving and warm weather.
Mike