Quote:
Originally Posted by ridered777
I know you're wrapping and double coating the piping, but I definitely think "playing with fire" so to speak, running piping through those plastic hoses. Since you didn't mention it, I'm assuming it's not the hot side, but underhood temps get pretty high, and you're only increasing them with this little project...  |
Interesting thoughts, important to consider.
Of course I meant cold-side. Most factory piping on older turbo cars is rubber or plastic anyway, it should be perfectly fine. I see what you mean when you say I'm increasing underhood temps with this project, but I'm actually pretty confident that the overall temps under the hood will be quite a bit lower than stock. I've eliminated a lot of clutter which should allow better air circulation around things such as the intake manifold. I've eliminated the EGR system, which was a pretty serious heat pipe to the intake manifold. And I'll be thoroughly insulating what is probably the largest source of underhood heat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ridered777
I'd also be worried about where your wrapping STOPS. Have you considered that heat is just an energy, and like all energy, its not being destroyed, but rather insulated so it travels to the rest of the exhaust system, causing a higher concentration of heat to be dissipated over a smaller area of exhaust. This will put increased heat on what I would guess to be the beginning of the "residential" exhaust system, including any components you plan on re-installing to pass emissions (ie. cats, resonator, etc)
Other than that, looks like a fun grass-root oriented build. Keep it up!
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And yes, I'm well aware that wrapping your exhaust system will drastically shorten it's life. As I said when I originally discussed it, wrap is terrible for the longevity of your exhaust. You've got heat fatigue, and the wrap can trap moisture and cause rust as well. It's BAD stuff. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that's looking for long-term durability. I'm using it anyway. As inexpensive as exhaust is relative to other things on the car, it's worth it to me to keep the heat down. It's also very beneficial to the performance of a turbo to keep that exhaust nice and hot until it gets to said turbo. Also, I change things up so often that I don't think my exhaust will wear out before I'm tired of it anyway. I don't care if it doesn't last 5 years, I probably don't even need 1 before I'll get the mod bug again and do a bigger turbo and 3" exhaust.
On the same topic, keep in mind I run RICH whereas the stock tune is stupid LEAN. I'm running E85, which runs about 200 degrees cooler EGTs at the same (lambda) mixtures. Yeah, I might hold a lot more heat in my pipes...but my EGTs will likely be 300-500 degrees lower than what the factory tune puts out on gasoline.
I also have no need to ever pass emissions in my state, and will likely sell my cats for scrap. You're absolutely right that this will not be good on my exhaust...but my answer is so what? My focus isn't to build a turbo kit that's going to last 20 years, it's to build one that might last 2-5 years of weekend driving...and to do so cheaply, effectively, and stealthily. Thanks for the comments!