So I was planning on getting a turbo wrap with cai sometime in the near future, however, after hearing jan mention that cai's don't really do anything in terms of bringing more power out of his tune, I'm now quite uncertain about getting a cai.

So my question is, should I still bother getting a turbo wrap if I no longer plan on getting a cai?

 

Keeping things cooler in the engine bay is generally a good thing. The heat wraps also keep the heat in the turbo which is also good.

 

True true. The heat wrap will also stop all those melting hood scoops!

 

Keeping the heat in the turbo will shorten it's life. It will cause the oil to cook off creating a thin but ever-growing film on burnt oil. I would look at other heat shielding before the turbo wrap.

 

I understand the theory and rationale for this. But I have not heard of any turbo failures from this on NAM or any other board. Do you know of any documented failures?

 

I think the R56 is too young to determine something like that. Unless someone drove over 120,000 miles in such a quick time.

The other option is the M7 heat shield that covers up the ugly stamped heat shield. Too bad each product is $199! OUTRAGEOUS!

 

Early turbos from lets say 1980s failed quite quickly from this. Current turbos are not only better but seem to have superior ways of cooling it down such as the Mini using coolant circulation. The car has been out for three years. Perhaps it is enough time for premature failure. Not sure I can claim 120,000 miles is a magical number given the severity of the argument.

Just trying to find out if there has been such failures. The point Scottab36 made is logical and correct from a historical perspective. I am concerned about it but would like to see if there is more conclusive information available. Maybe time will tell.

BTW, wrapping turbos has been out there for many years and is a trick used by many racers.

 

I'd get the M7 heatshield too but you are so corect...$199 plus shipping for this product in freakin' insane! I wonder if M7 every has any really good sales?

 

Ha, I've never heard of any. We are talking about M7 though... home of the $7000 sequential paddle shifting system

 

Looks like there's another one available from MossMini. I guess the idea is to allow some of the heat to escape, while still offering some level of shielding for the hood scoop. I like the idea that heat isn't trapped right around the turbo. Will it work?

http://www.mossmini.com/Graphics/Pro.../103-960_1.jpg

 

That is also over on vpcustomparts.com

I do not see how it really is a heat shield due to the holes and really nothing to shield the heat, block the heat or redirect the heat.

 

Maybe you could cook burgers and hot dogs on it?

 

That does look like it is possible. Just need a drip catcher designed.

 

Just talked to service mgr in Phoenix. Says Mini has a new heat shield for the oil circulation hose to the turbo. That should help reduce the header heat heating the oil hose. Cost $60 bucks. They did not have any...

 

The part is manufactured by vpcustomparts. I would say it is mostly a cosmetic part. The part of the installation I need to look into more it the rerouting of the O2 sensor wire. Other than that it is a bolt on part.