Cooler, faster, better... Turbo Wraps & Intercoolers

[Fireside]

Has anyone used a Turbo Blanket before?

I've just taken delivery of my new RS and while I'm breaking the engine in, I want to work on some simple cooling mods to help the turbo run better and to protect pipes, hoses and wires from heat damage etc.

I've bought some titanium 2" heat wrap for the DP and I have a cold air intake coming as well, but I also want to look into getting a turbo blanket and an upgraded intercooler, S3 I'm thinking, or something cheaper.

Has anyone had any experience with this type of mod?

[Lito]

Turbo blankets are a pita to fit in turbos with internal waste gates, you'd pretty much have to remove the turbo to be able to fit it, may as well just get it ceramic coated then

[Dzl_Dubba]

S3 intercooler is probably the cheapest option you can get. You can also go to something like a forge twincooler though i think they're not compatible with the adaptive cruise radar. I'm eyeing a Intergrated Engineering cooler though they still haven't produced one for the MQB platform. Quite pricey though $1000+

You'd think the components around the engine would factor in the hotter temps produced from the turbo though that's not always the case.

[brad]

I haven't used a turbo blanket but they look like they do help. I've eyed off a couple that have been for sale on the forums but the $200 price tag puts me off.

I don't think you'll achieve much with an S3 IC (either the full allloy or the plastic tank version). It's only about a 10% step up from what you've got. I think if you do it then you need a 20%-30% uplift in flow/capacity so that you get a noticeable difference. Something cheaper than an S3 IC? I didn't think there was anything like that.

Your alternatives might be a much bigger IC or Water Meth Injection?

edit: make sure you plug up the numerous gaps around the IC so that all th eair is forced through the IC fins & not around the sides.

[Polo GTEye N9]

Turbo blankets are a pita to fit in turbos with internal waste gates, you'd pretty much have to remove the turbo to be able to fit it, may as well just get it ceramic coated then

Yes indeed Turbo blankets are a pita to fit in turbos with internal waste gates, just ask me! I did one for my WRX and heat wrapped headers and DumpPipe.
But if your keen you can do anything, was it worth it. Well I did hold a record for the 2.5lt stock block dyno tune at ChipTorque.

[Fireside]

Thanks for the advice guys, yeah I've had a good look inside and I'm not sure how I'd fit a blanket into that space, looks like a big job.
I think it might be more trouble than it's worth.

I did see this product though, DEI TI Kit not sure how it fits, but looks like it'd be a simple pull over job. But I doubt it'd do the same job as a proper blanket would.

There's so many intercoolers out there, it's hard to know what gives the best bang for your buck cos they all promise similar things. I like the look of the Unitronic kit, but I just wish they had an Aussie dealer.

[HPRS230]

Where did you guys get with Turbo Beanies and Air Intake/Exhaust/Water pipe Wraping?

Seems to be a lot of cheap stuff on ebay, which if it lasts a few years then thats ok.
Very interested to see what the outcomes were. Under bonnet temps? performace gains? Water temp down? Boost Pressure up?

Cheers

[Martin]

I've just taken delivery of my new RS and while I'm breaking the engine in, I want to work on some simple cooling mods to help the turbo run better and to protect pipes, hoses and wires from heat damage etc.

I've bought some titanium 2" heat wrap for the DP and I have a cold air intake coming as well, but I also want to look into getting a turbo blanket and an upgraded intercooler, S3 I'm thinking, or something cheaper.

I don't see any need for protection of pipes, hoses and wires.
They are all designed and positioned just fine
I have 85k on my RS and the engine bay looks awesome - no issues
I know 2 other RS owners who have done 180k and well over 200k with no issues to pipes, hoses and wires (engine problems yes)

There is no need for a larger IC on a stock RS - it's fit for purpose
I have an APR intercooler (my car has a stage2 tune and a APR dump pipe and the full APR intake)
I suspect the only time I benefit from the IC is on very hot days

I absolutely hate wrapping exhausts
Yes it helps reduce heat radiation
But inevitably it collects moisture leading to corrosion - I see it all the time
Ceramic coating would be a better option

[ilidchen]

Thanks for the advice guys, yeah I've had a good look inside and I'm not sure how I'd fit a blanket into that space, looks like a big job.
I think it might be more trouble than it's worth.

I did see this product though, DEI TI Kit not sure how it fits, but looks like it'd be a simple pull over job. But I doubt it'd do the same job as a proper blanket would.

There's so many intercoolers out there, it's hard to know what gives the best bang for your buck cos they all promise similar things. I like the look of the Unitronic kit, but I just wish they had an Aussie dealer.

VAG Motors
Gabriel does the unitronic tune, and he has a few other parts there too

[HPRS230]

Hey Martin,
Totally agree with exhaust wrap, so would pass on that. (But inevitably it collects moisture leading to corrosion)
What about these Turbo Beanies? thats the next big heat source.
Air intake/water/elec would help as long as it doesnt lead to corrosion?

700USD for 90hp Nice

[Martin]

I would not put a turbo beanie on a stock car
There is a limited theory behind them,
but it's highly advisable to engineer for the additional heat
So custom builds and racing - they design for higher temperatures and deal with it
Just whacking a beanie on a stock car may give little benefit and cause problems over the long term

[Notso Swift]

Turbo blankets are actually designed to keep heat in, the secondary benefit is everything else keeps cooler!
I ran one on my old race car and I do believe it helped with spool and inlet running cooler, dyno results didn't really show anything but after a race the rest of the underbonnet area seemed better

[HPRS230]

Notso Swift, Yes I agree with it keeps the under bonnet temps down, which in turn should have gains in HP or just being more efficient (cooler intake). What sort of Race car mate? Club stuff? I do Data logging for a few Teams (ex V8SC/GT3/Open wheelers)

Martin, I also agree with the stock comment (long term and the RS will be a long term-er for us.

Has anyone tried one out??

[Martin]

Turbo blankets are actually designed to keep heat in, the secondary benefit is everything else keeps cooler!

Not everything will be cooler, the turbo internals and the down pipe should be hotter - that's what I was referring to needing to be engineered for the extra heat

[Notso Swift]

HPRS, Improved Production, that was a TX3 turbo, written off at 2009 Nats at PI

Martin, unless you are going over about 1100-1150 heat is good for those bits