For high performance cars, the extraordinary heat under the hood can drop engine performance and significantly reduce the life of other engine parts. Maintaining control of heat is a major technique in optimizing vehicles to produce the greatest horsepower, especially for turbo charged cars.
Turbo chargers can be very expensive components to repair. Fortunately, inexpensive turbo shields can now be purchased that can help to improve the lifetime of the turbo charger while also improving the total engine performance.
Turbo shields work in the same way as ordinary wraps. Covering the turbo will protect it from heat coming off the exhaust manifolds and engine block , while allowing the heat produced by the turbo to be equally distributed within the turbo. This can easily increase the spool speed and extend the life of the turbo.
There are quite a few turbo shields found available for purchase. Lesser quality turbo wraps usually have a much lower temperature rating while the more expensive shields are manufactured with pulverized lava and provides the greatest thermal protection for turbo chargers currently available.
A Design Engineering turbo shield is easy to put on without removing the turbo. The turbo wrap is designed to install over the turbo housing and is held on with high temp stainless steel wire. Many turbo kits also include the desired wrap to cover the downpipe for increased thermal protection.
Of the turbo shields that can be purchased, the most widely sought after kit is the titanium turbo shield. This shield blankets the turbo and gives the highest rated thermal protection of any flexible turbo shield found on the market. Titanium turbo shields are unique in that they are able to withstand direct heat up to 1,800 degrees and are the most durable turbo wraps available in stores.
With proper care, a turbo charger can remain in service a long time. Installing a turbo shield can extend the lifespan of a turbo while also reducing lag time and improving spooling. While turbo shields are inexpensive, this is one engine part that can provide significant savings in the months ahead.