The professionally wrapped inconel heat shielding is very nice, but it is pricey. I know that typical "blankets" can sometimes work to a point (Tial recommended them for its wastegates), but I understand they also tend to crumble and fall apart on track driven cars. Anyone have any experience with Heatshield Products header armor? The specs are promising and it looks good.

Header Armor website

This DIY turbo shielding video and the material (which is on ebay) also got my attention:

 

Eh, just bear in mind the chart goes to 31psi at 4400rpms. I would imagine 20psi is likely around 3900rpms. I also kept seeing a P0011 code (MIVEC) that was likely the wiring too during/after the tune (GSC S2 Cams). Its a Evo 8 Turbine/10.5 Exhaust Housing with 71/52mm 7+7 Compressor and Evo 6 Compressor Housing. It comes on super aggressive like a light switch with tons of torque...and definitely made power. Even at 26psi it was still making 430whp on E85 (track map I had detuned a bit).

I'm happy with the turbo given the price, customer service, and power it made.

 

doesnt it trap heat into whatever it's covering? i guess sometimes that's better than letting the heat permeate in the bay

 

After seeing woven turbo blankets catch on fire from head conduction on track I would never run one on my car. The inconel shielding is definitely nice but not cheap.


Exhaust heat = thermal energy. Lost exhaust heat is lost energy and about 75 - 80% of what spools a turbo is thermal energy so not letting it escape is good for performance. Letting it escape to the engine bay just creates problems for other system components.

 

To a point. I could swear I've seen a turbine housing get so hot, it "warped" and sent oil (which caught fire) into the engine bay. IIRC.
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I’d prefer shielding radiant heat to “trapping” the heat in the metal, just from a longevity standpoint of the header and turbine, provided other components don’t get cooked by the heat. I’ve also seen header wrap trap oil from leaks and lead to car-b-que, so I’m also very weary of anything woven (including exhaust wraps in the engine bay or under the oil pan).

 

It cost me $1300 for:

Exhaust manifold shield ($400)
Turbine housing shield ($300)
Downpipe shield (the whole downpipe!) ($465)
V-Band shields ($50)
Compressor housing back shields ($95)




I don't think that is much at all if you start pricing out other pre-made alternatives that probably aren't as good.






Of course it's serviceable. You can take it off and put it back on. It's just like OEM inconel.

As far as cracks, if you don't use crap stuff, then it shouldn't be cracking all the time.

I recently swapped the turbo and have this photo of the inconel shield off. One con I can say is that, since the inconel shield really is shielding things, it makes it a pain in the *** to get to bolts and such to take things out and reinstall. But it's possible, obviously...

 

You are right that those prices aren't so so bad relative to the total cost of the turbo kit. Is that all held together with inconel safety wire? Do you re-use the wire when you take it on and off?

 

Yes, all safety wire. They gave me extra as a whole spool of it with the order. Probably last me a couple of years easily.

 

Good safety wire isn't expensive. Just be sure to grab safety wire pliers or you'll hate life trying to get everything twisted nicely.

 

This is a first lol.

Injen customer service couldn't have been better. Shipped a replacement out right away. I thought those days were gone.

 

lmao - well, that's nice at least.

 

After how many miles?

 

I'm impressed. I can't remember the last time I had decent customer service from any company.

 

dumb question - how do i attach the hose to the back of the duct? i dont tape it on do i?