Heatwrap vs. Ceramic Coating

[pigpen]

I understand that the heatwrap keeps heat in and ceramic coating is intended to get rid of heat more quickly, so these two things have opposite purposes. What I am not sure of is which is better in different locations, specifically for turbo cars. I am not trying to do anything in particular to may car yet, but I am curious for later on when I eventually have some money to put towards some power.

My mostly uneducated theory is this:
headers - ceramic coating to get as much heat out of the exhaust before it gets to the turbo, but this will increase the heat near the radiator (and an FMIC if you have one)
uppipe - i am undecided on this one...maybe do nothing as a compromise, but i am leaning towards heatwrap, since it is close to the turbo
downpipe - heatwrap since it is close to the turbo

i imagine some of this decision would be based upon FMIC vs. TMIC, but to what degree? the end goal of all this is to maximize the life and power of the engine...i'm not sure how mutually exclusive those are in this situation.

anyone with thoughts, theories, or data on any of this?

[Jard]

I always thought you wanted to keep as much of that heat *IN* (helps spool; the hotter those exhaust gases are going and the higher velocity, the better) before it gets to the turbo and keep it away from things like the radiator, intercooler, etc...

After the turbo...doesn't matter.

[WRXCMM]

^^yeah that's exactly what i've heard too, the hotter the gasses the faster they will move thus spooling faster.

[Jard]

The only deal with coating and wrapping is that it will fatigue the metal faster.

My ideal exhaust setup would be coated exhaust manifold, coated uppipe, coated turbo, and DP coated about halfway down... ;)

[pigpen]

The only deal with coating and wrapping is that it will fatigue the metal faster.

My ideal exhaust setup would be coated exhaust manifold, coated uppipe, coated turbo, and DP coated about halfway down... ;)

you mean ceramic coating for longlife parts? or heatwrapping for best spool?

[williaty]

There's more than one type of ceramic coating. A thermal dispersant will cause the pipe to shed head rapidly. A thermal barrier will cause the pipe to retain heat in the exhaust stream.

For exhaust, you always, always, always want to keep heat in the exhaust stream. So you want to either ceramic coat it with a thermal barrier or wrap it. Wrap retains MUCH MUCH more heat, but it's almost always ends up destroying the header over time. Most companies won't warranty their headers if they've been wrapped. Ceramic, on the other hand, actually protects the header.

I would suggest ceramic coating for long life or wrap for maximum performance.

[pigpen]

oh, i had no idea there was a thermal barrier ceramic coating. i always thought ceramic was good thermal conductor, and there wasn't anything else to it...very interesting.

[Jard]

I had never heard of ceramic to dissipate heat. :lol:

[pigpen]

i work with electrical parts...ceramic, aluminum, and copper are where it's at for heat dissipation, depending on cost and the amount of electrical conductivity you want.

so, i'm guessing that my first post was completely incorrect in assuming that ceramic coating is for heat dissipation, and that ceramic coating is always done for insulation.

i'm glad i started this thread...it's been very helpful!

[lorenkb]

Keep in mind that wrapped parts become a service item as the wrap deteriorates over time... replacement can be a royal pain in the ass without removing the headers.

I've been lusting after some Crucial Racing (http://www.crucialracing.com/index.php)stuff for a while now... their coating is pure sex.

[Jard]

Keep in mind that wrapped parts become a service item as the wrap deteriorates over time... replacement can be a royal pain in the ass without removing the headers.

I've been lusting after some Crucial Racing (http://www.crucialracing.com/index.php)stuff for a while now... their coating is pure sex.
I had one of their uppipes on my old '04 WRX. It was a gorgeous piece.

I have a Grimmspeed uppipe sitting here waiting to go on a friend's car. It is also REALLLLY nice.

[lorenkb]

I had one of their uppipes on my old '04 WRX. It was a gorgeous piece.

I have a Grimmspeed uppipe sitting here waiting to go on a friend's car. It is also REALLLLY nice.

Yeah, my ideal setup would be a combination of Grimmspeed and Crucial parts. I just have to keep telling myself that seat time and tires is more important. It's getting harder and harder to listen to reason...

[UP2MTNS]

I just have to keep telling myself that seat time and tires is more important. It's getting harder and harder to listen to reason...

just spend the $4K on Tim O'Neil's school....then you'll get plenty of really GOOD seat time, and won't have any money left for parts!! LOL