Swain Tech Coated TSP Downpipe w/ Thermal Heat Insulation

[blueroadster]

Thanks...Reading and thinking some more, I am going to install the coated downpipe using the OEM heat shields with the PTP hybrid turbo blanket and run that setup for a while.

I'll hold off on installing the PTP hybrid downpipe blanket for the time being.

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[blueroadster]

Overthinking I guess where I changed my mind again. I have the PTP hybrid turbo blanket and PTP hybrid downpipe blanket. I am going to install the downpipe blanket and skip the turbo blanket. Reason being is twofold:

1. The downpipe has a much larger surface area where heat radiates to other components and increases under hood temps. The OEM downpipe weighs ~23 pounds where the coated TSP downpipe weighs ~13.5 pounds (much less thermal mass to heat and cool down).
2. With the downpipe insulated, I think adding the PTP hybrid turbo blanket may be a bit too much since the OEM turbo is water and air cooled. Adding the turbo blanket would completely cover the turbine side where it will run hotter and not be able to shed heat via airflow around it. Instead, the additional and trapped heat would likely result in increased thermal transfer to the head.

That said, I believe the best option for me is to use the PTP hybrid downpipe blanket and replace the top OEM heat shield with this one from Dream Automotive. Using that shield would still allow for the turbo to be air cooled. It would also look more clean by providing coverage extending over the downpipe flange and top portion of the downpipe blanket.

 

[blueroadster]

 

[Rhorn]

Is there any solid metrics that would indicate doing this is effective?

 

[blueroadster]

Is there any solid metrics that would indicate doing this is effective?

Some things to ponder/consider...The OEM downpipe as pictured weighs ~23 pounds 12.62 pounds and has shielding only on the front side so a lot of heat is stored and radiated towards the block/under hood. Here is a PIC and additional ones can be found here.

A big thank you to @Bpebler for checking various temperatures. Here are two pertinent posts that he shared on integraforums.com:

Temp measurements using PTP hybrid turbo blanket with lava downpipe blanket

Temps with PTP hybrid downpipe blanket

PICs without clicking links:

PTP hybrid downpipe blanket:

 

[blueroadster]

Another forum member sent me this PIC of the Dream Automotive heat shield (direct replacement for the OEM turbo heat shield) installed over the PTP hybrid downpipe blanket:

 

[blueroadster]

Installed the Dream Automotive Hard-Lagged Turbo Heat Shield and then removed it to lubricate a pair of nuts and studs in prep to install the downpipe this weekend.

 

[jtlctr]

The two inboard fasteners are the stubborn ones. I’m guessing because of all that heat getting trapped between the turbo and the engine block. You should be fine though. I used a 1/2” breaker bar for better control (ok, fine, I’m probably not strong enough to crack those loose with anything less). The two outer fasteners came right off with minimal effort. Also, it’s worth removing the intake couplers between the MAF and the inlet tube for better access to the inboard nut and bolt.
Happy wrenching!

 

[blueroadster]

The two inboard fasteners are the stubborn ones. I’m guessing because of all that heat getting trapped between the turbo and the engine block. You should be fine though. I used a 1/2” breaker bar for better control (ok, fine, I’m probably not strong enough to crack those loose with anything less). The two outer fasteners came right off with minimal effort. Also, it’s worth removing the intake couplers between the MAF and the inlet tube for better access to the inboard nut and bolt.
Happy wrenching!

Thanks...I plan to remove the turbo inlet pipe tomorrow to get better access to remove the downpipe to turbine side nuts and bolts. Bolt/stud connections were sprayed with PB Blaster and then Kroil several hours later. They should break loose fine tomorrow but I can torch the flange if removal becomes stubborn.

 

[Two Step Performance]

Thanks...I plan to remove the turbo inlet pipe tomorrow to get better access to remove the downpipe to turbine side nuts and bolts. Bolt/stud connections were sprayed with PB Blaster and then Kroil several hours later. They should break loose fine tomorrow but I can torch the flange if removal becomes stubborn.

Fingers crossed for easy removal!

 

[blueroadster]

Fingers crossed for easy removal!

Thanks...Removal was a piece of cake. All of the nuts/bolts broke loose and were removed without causing any thread damage. Soaking overnight after being sprayed with PB Blaster and then Kroil several hours later worked out very well.

Here are PICs after degreasing (I have replacement studs for the turbine connection but will reuse the factory studs since they are in great shape):

 

[blueroadster]

I went back and edited weight references in this thread regarding the OEM downpipe. I read somewhere previously that it weighed ~23 pounds. It actually weighs much less being 5,726 grams or 12.62 pounds with the OEM side heat shield installed. The OEM turbo heat shield weighs 602 grams or 1.33 pounds. (total of 6,328 grams or 13.95 pounds of weight removed).

Regarding weights for the TSP downpipe:

1. Raw (uncoated): 6,041 grams
2. Swaintech coated: 6,165 grams
3. Swaintech coated with PTP hybrid downpipe blanket and springs: 6,892 grams

So this particular replacement adds 564 grams or 1.24 pounds of additional weight as compared to the OEM downpipe. No big deal but it is definitely not a 10+ pound weight savings as I originally thought it might be.

 

[blueroadster]

Installed titanium studs. Copper anti-seize was also applied to all threaded connections.

Installed the downpipe. Nuts/bolts on the downpipe to turbine are torqued to 33ft lbs. Nuts/bolts on the downpipe to front pipe are torqued to 40ft lbs.

Installed the turbo heat shield over the turbo blanket (with all springs installed). The heat shield has three holes for bolt connections. The hole on the side next to the O2 sensor is not used as it is covered by the turbo blanket. It is not needed anyway since the O2 sensor clamps the heat shield down securely on that side. The heat shield installed right over the turbo blanket without issue as if they were designed to be installed together. I am glad that I decided to go this route and really like the visual results and thermal coverage provided.

PIC of the O2 sensor harness extension where wires were wrapped with electrical tape and zip tie added on the bottom to prevent swinging around.

 

[blueroadster]

The OEM downpipe has a 53mm or 2.09" outlet.

The TSP downpipe opens up the coffee straw restrictor with a 72mm or 2.83" outlet (35% increase).

In the near future, the TSP downpipe will be mated with a Fujitsubo front pipe and exhaust (70mm or 2.76") where they should marry up very well. On the intake side, the OEM turbo compressor outlet is 50mm where I added HKS intercooler piping of 54mm going through a J's Racing intercooler.

 

[jtlctr]

On the exhaust side, the OEM turbo compressor outlet

Lil typo?

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