We've been making a lot of small improvements to our turbocharged Miata project car. This week, we used the new Titanium Exhaust Wrap from Design Engineering, Inc., to contain some of the heat emanating from our Miata's downpipe. The benefit of this is twofold: Not only does the wrap reduce heat transfer to surrounding components, but it also helps the exhaust flow by maintaining higher temperatures inside the pipe.
According to DEI's Web site, the Titanium Exhaust Wrap is made using pulverized lava rock that's been extruded into fibers and woven into the wrap material. This new process raises the wrap's temperature rating to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 30 percent higher than that offered by conventional wrap materials. Installation is also a little easier than with competitive products; DEI says the wrap doesn't need to be soaked in water before installation to achieve a tight fit.
The wrapping process was pretty easy, since our downpipe is a much simpler shape than an exhaust manifold. All told, the job only took about an hour. We didn't have any trouble, but you may want to wear gloves during the installation if you have sensitive skin.
We've also been meaning to replace the Miata's engine mounts. Since the downpipe is out of the car, we'll give that job a shot this week. Watch for more updates as we make progress.
