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I saw that Madness Autoworks is offering up a turbo blanket for the 124...what do you guys think about the use of one???...they have been around forever...I have never used one...looking for opinions...
Turbo Blanket-Yes or No
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I feel like if you have the stock air box, or EC V4 intake there would be no benefit to the blanket. I kind of understand how engine bay heat could effect your intercooler, but where is the 124 intercooler?I saw that Madness Autoworks is offering up a turbo blanket for the 124...what do you guys think about the use of one???...they have been around forever...I have never used one...looking for opinions...
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I had one on my Dart. It kept the under hood temps much cooler. That alone was worth the price of admission to me. I want to get Madness' Sila titanium blanket.
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YES! If you are going to track your car, you really should get one. It isn't much of a performance enhancer as much as it is protection to the parts around the turbo. It gets stinkin' HOT >
My stock Thunderhill test day made me start asking Jon at Madness about them right away.
My stock Thunderhill test day made me start asking Jon at Madness about them right away.
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The turbo is hot,right? And giving off heat to the engine bay is understood. But would I want to keep the turbo hot as opposed to cooler,w/o the blanket?
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The blanket only covers the hot section...the compressor inlet is left open to stay as cool as possible.....
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Yes, you do. The turbocharger uses waste heat in the exhaust to spin the turbine. Keeping that heat in makes your turbo more efficient.
Here's a Master's thesis a guy did at the University of Texas last summer. He concludes thermal blankets make a significant (but not huge) difference in turbo output and spool-up time.
He also found that even though the outer walls of the turbo were hotter, there was no change in the oil temperature at the bearings so there is no danger of coking your oil from the extra heat.
His conclusion seems to be that a blanket offers measurable benefits without any significant drawbacks.
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It's a popular modification with the Subaru crowd, except the Subaru guys have cheaper options.
Fiat obviously didn't see it a worthwhile benefit to include it as a standard feature for this engine, or it would come with one from the factory. That may have been due to cost, or the possibility of it shifting and interfering with other components like a wastegate actuator.
I won't comment much on pricing since I know how small vendors operate in niche markets, but I will say that this should have some pretty significant benefits in reducing under-hood temps, which should lower intake temps and reduce heat soak. Heat soak can become a real issue if you're driving this in stop and go traffic, especially if A/C is on.
For the purpose of improving the longevity of surrounding components, it is a wise investment. All petroleum products (plastics, rubbers) degrade over time when exposed to heat, as it accelerates the oxidation process.
Fiat obviously didn't see it a worthwhile benefit to include it as a standard feature for this engine, or it would come with one from the factory. That may have been due to cost, or the possibility of it shifting and interfering with other components like a wastegate actuator.
I won't comment much on pricing since I know how small vendors operate in niche markets, but I will say that this should have some pretty significant benefits in reducing under-hood temps, which should lower intake temps and reduce heat soak. Heat soak can become a real issue if you're driving this in stop and go traffic, especially if A/C is on.
For the purpose of improving the longevity of surrounding components, it is a wise investment. All petroleum products (plastics, rubbers) degrade over time when exposed to heat, as it accelerates the oxidation process.
Well that pretty much answers my only concern.
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I'll be saying this a lot, but use a good synthetic oil and you won't really have to worry about thermo-oxidation induced deposits (coking).
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Reading the link regarding research into a 'turbo blanket', their pictures show significantly more than a 'blanket'; it completely encloses the exhaust (hot) portion of the turbocharger. The 'blanket' offered [for the 1.4T] looks to be more of a heat deflector, than a full turbo blanket.
Not saying it doesn't have an affect - It probably will protect a lot of the plastic parts in the engine bay over the long term, and probably prevent a severe burn or two for curious fingers and hands (the oil filter is damned close to the turbo!). I can't see it producing any measurable performance gain. Of course, it's not going to take away anything, either.
Not saying it doesn't have an affect - It probably will protect a lot of the plastic parts in the engine bay over the long term, and probably prevent a severe burn or two for curious fingers and hands (the oil filter is damned close to the turbo!). I can't see it producing any measurable performance gain. Of course, it's not going to take away anything, either.
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641 Posts
I will take any heat reduction I can get...115 -120 degree summer temps sure heat up the underhood temps....>
I take a nap...
Grandpa Bill
Pure...when it's 115 here in Austin, I don't go out...I go take a nap! LOLI will take any heat reduction I can get...115 -120 degree summer temps sure heat up the underhood temps....>
Grandpa Bill
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We enjoy driving up to the mountains where it is 80 degrees....but to get there I have to drive through the desert and the 115 degree heat for about an hour...
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Thanks. My,how much has time changed turbos. My last experience decades ago with a 924 turbo was an eye opener with coking oil. Just prior to shutting down,it was best to let it idle for 30 secs to avoid just that. The NACA intake on the hood was too hot to touch.
I won't run my turbo hard as my Boy Racer days were over long ago but I appreciate your explanation. Maybe I'll just put that $$$ toward another farkle.
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641 Posts
Sold...ordered one today...thanks Madness Autoworks...
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