2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Ceramic Coating Turbo and Manifold

  1. Ryephile

    Ryephile New Member

    Apr 9, 2009
    299
    122
    0
    Yes!
    Metro Detroit
    Ratings:
    +122 / 0 / -0
    #6 Ryephile, Aug 10, 2015
    I have my turbo Miata's exhaust manifold, turbine housing, and downpipe all coated with Swaintech White Lightning. I just finished doing its first track weekend and the coating is still aesthetically flawless, only slightly silvered instead of pure white. My EGT's at full load are a moderate 1200°F, but the outside of the manifold measured about 750°F, so that's a big difference. I also have a heat shield as the turbine is near the brake reservoir, it's stainless and gold foil coated facing the turbine. The far side of the heat shield after a session was only 170°F, keeping my brake fluid from getting too warm.

    So, White Lightning, yes do it! Also, factory heat shields, use them too!


    If you send them the turbine housing, make sure you take pictures of the turbo clocking before taking it apart.
     
  2. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    3,532
    2,896
    113
    Professional Facilitator and Alignment Consultant
    Holly Springs, NC
    Ratings:
    +2,896 / 0 / -0
    #2 BlimeyCabrio, Aug 9, 2015
    It will definitely keep that area of the bay cooler. Just a matter of what that's worth to you.
     
  3. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Oct 23, 2010
    2,959
    1,505
    113
    Engineer
    Pacific NW
    Ratings:
    +1,731 / 0 / -0
    #5 DneprDave, Aug 10, 2015
    Anything that keeps heat in the turbocharger will improve its efficiency.
     
  4. rckrzy1

    rckrzy1 Member

    Jul 14, 2015
    34
    11
    8
    Ratings:
    +11 / 0 / -0
    #3 rckrzy1, Aug 10, 2015
    can you run without the heat shields if you go this route ? Way said it will melt your valve cover without the shields.
     
  5. cerenkov

    cerenkov New Member

    Mar 6, 2014
    67
    30
    0
    Nuclear Engineer
    Wake Forest, NC
    Ratings:
    +30 / 0 / -0
    #4 cerenkov, Aug 10, 2015
    I would still use the factory heat shields. And with meth installed my intake temps rarely go over 90F so I'm wondering if there are any power gains for example if it helps with scavenging.

    I'm probably over thinking it and it's probably only beneficial to tracked cars and not 100% street cars but if there is a noticeable gain then I would rather do it now.