- My model of MX-5 is: NC2 2.0
- I’m based near: Glasgow
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Exhaust heat management
Hi there,
I ordered an IL Motorsport exhaust manifold for my 2.0 NC2 in the MX-5 Parts Easter sale, and I’m looking into the best options for keeping the under bonnet temperature down. I’ve narrowed it down to two options;
- Heatshield Header Armor manifold blanket
- Ceramic coating
Heatshield Products claim that the manifold blanket stops more than 60% of the heat from radiating into the engine bay, whereas ceramic coating could reduce the surface temperature of the exhaust by up to a third. I’m just a bit confused about which is the best option; any advice / opinions gratefully received!
Thanks,
Andrew.
I would say ceramic coating. Also have a look at the products from Zircotek.
2 Likes
A friend with a Caterham CSR has gone from the ‘wrapping’ solution to the ‘ceramic’ one and it works at least as well if not better.
The upside is that it looks much neater and if you have to remove the engine it much less troublesome.
2 Likes
I contacted Zircotec; if you want a “proper” plasma-applied ceramic coating, it would cost more than the manifold itself! Might just need to bite the bullet.
Do you know where he got it done?
I used a proper heat blanket from TDR on a previous car to separate the supercharger from the aftermarket manifold, it worked very well. Haven’t used ceramic coating but when I looked into it recently there were various options and even the most expensive claimed 30 or 40% reduction which is way less than the blanket did.
IMHO if you are going to turbo it or go racing / serious track use (and with serious I mean repetitive hard track driving / punishment) then yea look at these options. if you do not fit in these categories just use the OEM heatshield mate.
1 Like
That’s what’s confusing me! If the purpose is just to keep the heat down, and protect other things in the engine bay, I think the heat blanket is probably the way forward. Lot cheaper too!
No plans to go down the forced induction route, and the car is my daily driver, so not driven hard most of the time. When you say use the OEM heat shield, do you mean just the one thats bolted to the car, or weld on the other heat shields from the original manifold?
1 Like
yea… and by the look of things i don’t think you need anything else mate.
Thanks for that, saves me spending money I don’t need to!
living up north and with the amount of snow/and salt you guys get spend your money on body /undersealing etc
Undersealing was one of the first things I did when I got the car! 