Thermal coating enhances turbo efficiency on Litchfiel Impreza

March 17, 2009 - PRLog -- An importer and modifier of Japanese performance cars has been so impressed with a zirconia-based thermal coating that it has returned for more. Following the success of its Type-25, Litchfield’s new Subaru Impreza STI Type-20 is the latest to benefit from Zircotec’s thermal coating, with the enhanced heat management helping the cars twinscroll turbo spool up to speed 500-750rpm sooner than normal.

“For minimal cost and maximum gain we have been very impressed with Zircotec’s coating and how it protects and manages the heat around our new twinscroll turbocharger,” explains managing director Iain Litchfield. “With the coating applied to the turbo’s double exhaust ports, more heat is retained in the system. As a result the turbo spools faster and lag is reduced.”

Other benefits include reduced underbonnet temperatures and crisper throttle response. “As the turbo is sited underneath the intercooler, heat is retained in the turbocharger and does not affect the operation of the intercooler and other components,” continues Litchfield. As well as cooling properties, Zircotec’s simulated durability tests indicate 100,000 trouble free miles of road car protection.

The Type-20 is based on the Japanese specification Subaru Impreza STI, and is powered by a 400PS 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 508Nm (375lbft) of torque. With Subaru’s continued use of the twinscroll turbo, Litchfield’s design is available not only as a bolt-on replacement for its new Japanese based imports, but also for the 2003 model year Subaru Imprezas and onwards.

As ever, Zircotec’s coatings come in a range of colours offering the same professional OE appearance as standard.  

Press Enquiries
James Godwin, Market Engineering, North Bar House, 43-44 North Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 0TH. +44 (0)1295 277050
james.godwin@m-eng.com

Sales Enquiries
Peter Whyman, sales director, Zircotec, Building 528.10, Unit 2, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QJ. +44 (0)1235 434326
peter.whyman@zircotec.com

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About Zircotec
Zircotec's involvement in motorsport stretches back to 1994 when the thermal barrier coating was applied to the exhausts and manifold of Subaru rally cars to lower in-cabin temperatures. Since then the high temperature coating has been applied to vehicles from F1 cars to trucks together with an increasing number of applications for prestigious sports car manufacturers looking for thermal management and heat barrier solutions to manage heat from high performance engines. More recently, Zircotec's ThermoHold™ thermal coatings have been proven to be highly successful in the thermal management of high performance and classic car applications, increasing overall reliability and performance.