Silicon hoses

[dixiebabes]

Right lads has anyone got a photo of their engine bay with ACT silicon hoses fitted to a V8. I have just taken mine out of the packet and they look completely different to whats already fitted!.

Dix

[Mr WST]

Hi mate
I got some a few weeks ago. Took them to be fitted and had to pay an extra £50 for other hoses to be sent as some didnt fit.
Saying that i have known some people have no problems at all



Thack

[Mr Tank]

Hi Dix

Your car is a Series 1 350i I think, the basic hose set ACT do fits the S2 better!

The sets normally don't include the straight hoses as Tim prefers you to order those separately as every cars have different lengths.

But if you have a problem contact Tim he will sort it!

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Sunday 23 June 09:46

[voltage_maxx]

I might have some pictures tomorrow, as I'm just in the process of fitting out the engine bay of my 350i with silicon hoses.
I bought the ACT kit - but again there's quite a bit missing. All the radiator to header tank hoses, as well the ones which lead to the heater matrix.
Hence, yesterday I headed to Viper Performance in Telford yesterday and bought lots of straight lengths of silicon hose.

I'll put some pictures up when the engine bay's done.

[mrzigazaga]

These guys are pretty good and fairly quick at getting bits to you...
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=a...

[marcus1875]

glad i read this Dix. i bought a set for my v6 about two months. didnt look like they would match either and they have sat in their bag ever since. i'll take Andys advice then and call Tim once ive worked out whats missing.
glad im not alone, did think i was being silly till i read this.
marcus

[wooly350i]

Once they're fitted you'll wonder how you lived without them, put em on, take em off, put em on, take em off, etc etc etc, Keep their shape and don't leak.

[Number 7]

wooly350i said:

Once they're fitted.........and don't leak.

As long as you use decent quality hose clips (stainless preferably) - I use Hi-Torque. Just don't
use those that have the threads punched all the way through the band. And you do need to re-tighten after a couple of heat cycles.

[Oz2]

I just fitted a set from ACT with no problems, I did talk to Tim at length to make sure they were the correct fit as I they were about to travel around the world.....
I also fitted new silicone hoses to the supercharger and used 'T' clamps, there are a lot of st clamps out there make sure you get goodns.....or they will leak.

Edited by Oz2 on Sunday 23 June 09:26

[marcus1875]

Thats a good tip regarding the clamps/clips. i hadnt considered that and had planned to use the old ones. any recommendations?
marcus

[Number 7]

marcus1875 said:

Thats a good tip regarding the clamps/clips. i hadnt considered that and had planned to use the old ones. any recommendations?
marcus

I use the Hi-Grips, some in stainless.
http://www.jcshi-torque.co.uk/

Mikalor also do some, although they are quite expensive (although appear to be good quality) and unnecessary in this type of application IMHO.

[Jon280]

I would echo the point about using decent hose clips. I recently re did a load of coolant pipes on mine, some n silicone, and used cheap hose clips, but a couple of pipes are weeping a bit and can get them no tighter so need to replace them with better clips at some point

[JVaughan]

Im in the process of drawing up a shopping list of silicone hoses for the wedge.

What is the general consensus of going to ACT versus sourcing the hoses on ones own?

Also, is it possible to use a single piece of hose from the induction hose from the Airflow meter to the plenum on a 400 or is an alloy joiner required ?

Any pictures (and being cheeky) and a shopping list available ?

[GV]

Was quite surprised to read that the only good thing about silicone hoses was that they look good and come apart easier than the rubber types. For extra the cost, I don't think its worth it unless there is any proof they can help with making life cooler under the bonnet.

Don't know about you guys - but I'm not into flashing what's under my bonnet only putting into good use....lol!!

[jmorgan]

I change them as required, nothing wrong with a bit of bling when required

ACT have made me some custom bits in the past seeing as off the shelf were never going to work, swan necks, bottom hoses etc. Comes from having a range rover block. As long as I got my dimensions right, the pipes have always fitted. I suppose it is best to speak to ACT first. Thinking of another mod.....

[AM400]

Personally I would source everything yourself. Had off the shelf Manifolds and system and still ended up having to alter them. I measured all my hoses and brought them seperately. I have changed the header tank though and removed the throttle heater so needed to change the layout.

[mrzigazaga]

I love a splash of colour being an arty farty type bloke..However if i could of got original OEM rubber hoses for mine then i would of..BUT..I couldnt so blue silicone it was..Plus i was also lucky to get a whole set £100 cheaper as it's not cheap for complete sets..Plus with certain parts there is a lot to be said for original..Especially when it comes to rubber..If original means 30+ years old then im not putting that crap on my car!..I agree that you should use good quality high torque clips..Norma are good also but its a good idea to actually buy the tool that torques them up or use a ratchet..Just be careful if buying silicone pipe for vacuum applications..Especially on a V8..There is wire reinforced silicone for that or just use the plastic/Hard rubber type....."Hello your through to Mr Bling Bling of bling bling's blingage & Sons"...

Edited by mrzigazaga on Monday 24th June 15:43

[JVaughan]

for me, its a bit of both.

For a car that's well over 20 years old, ive already started to notice some of the original hoses starting to show signs of deteriorate, so ive been planning a complete swap out for some time.

[dixiebabes]

Cheers lads. Just rang Tim at act. He explained everything grear. Flametrap was short so needed coupling together with an elbow. All of the rest look ok apart from the bottom of tge swan nect onto tge top end of the rad. Act supply a dog leg but I need a long sweeping bend. He is going to sort that for me hopefully.

[chapperssx]

That's good news Dix ! Tim's just sorting a few bits for me, if it all works out ok it will look fooking sweet !!!