Turbo head shield?
 

The OEM turbo heat shield is obviously hideous. I have been thinking about how to make it look better and to keep the engine bay temps down as well.

So far I have come up with 2 options.

1.) Alta Turbo Blanket. While this would help both the cosmetic appeal and temps, it doesn't look like it fits that well.

2.) Ceramic Coat the OEM heat shield and install Ways Turbo heat wrap underneath. This is probably the better option but the OEM heat shield is still stamped. I wish I could have someone make one out of aluminum or titanium that wasn't stamped and that fit like OEM.

If you have any other ideas let me know. I have already ruled out just bolting on a flat heat shield on top since I feel like I am just covering up the issue lol.

I ceramic coated mine black. WOrks fine for me.

Any chance for some pictures? Also, what ceramic coating did you use and is it holding up? Thanks!

I have the Alta turbo blanket and it works very well. Not a fan of the company but do like the product. Fits well.

Yea I am not a fan of the company either, but am still considering it. Any chance you can load some pictures? I have seen a few but nothing focused on it. Thanks.

Will do tomorrow.

I had the blanket from way, within a year there was a good amount of surface rust on the turbo where the blanket was. Haven't felt the need to put it back on. That was in central Delaware and I don't remember if it was on for the summer only or if it went through a winter as well. It's worth noting that I do not have the front portion of the heat shield installed.

I don't drive my car in the winter, but I didn't consider that the blankets may hold in moisture. Thanks.

I've had an M7 heat shield mounted above the factory one. I like how it cleans up the engine compartment, I'm a fan of black.

Have fun,
Mike

Thanks for posting pictures!

It my be worth taking into consideration that your turbo produces a large amount of heat and that shield not only blocks some air flow, but since it completely covers the entire turbo, you have now produced a nice little heating zone for your oil feed line and the cold side of the turbo. So keep the engine bay looking clean at the expense of shortened turbo life....

The factory heat shield is still in place under the M7 piece, and there is room for circulation around the oil line. Valid point, but I have not seen any issues since running the heat shield for over 40k miles and 3 years.
I read that someone took off the factory heat shield and melted the valve cover with one of these heat shields.

Have fun,
Mike

The turbo blanket isolates heat away from the oil line and cold side of the turbo. That helps extend the turbo's life.
The blanket helps trap the heat within the exhaust side and increases the efficiency of the system. Hotter air is less dense and therefore will flow through/escape the system faster.
The blanket doesn't fully enclose the system. Heat still escapes below or out of the exhaust system. The blanket creates a better barrier between the manifold/turbine housing/connection to the downpipe and oil-line/cold-side/cylinder head than the stock or similar heat shields do.

You do know the person who I specifically quoted pictured a shield and not a blanket, right?

Didn't see that. Whoops.

**** happens. :P

I may just ceramic coat the stock heat shield. Seams like the best of all worlds.

I have not installed it yet but I coated the manifold,downpipe . I'm getting a custom made blanket for my JMTurbo 45. I'm going to ditch all my OEM shields . I cut the stamp steel from the manifold gasket except the top part , I'm going to weld a piece to the top part to help kick the raising heat away from the valve cover. Maybe 1-2" wide. Might help with the looks. It's all test and tune right. Lolo

Any words of wisdom ? I am not understanding how heat really helps a turbo ? Does keeping the hot side hot make a difference ? I would like to reduce engine bay heat without causing any warranty or wear issues to turbo.

Anyone just use header wrap ? I like the alta idea but again it's over priced like most of their items.

It's far better to ceramic coat your turbo housing and downpipe, there really are no fixes for reduced engine bay heat. As for your questions, huh? :confused:

I've read keeping the turbo hot side hot creates less dense air and less turbo lag or such, I don't see that or understand what's going on.