Silicone hoses and SS water pipes
Silicone hoses and SS water pipes
Author
Discussion

Biggles101

Original Poster:

195 posts

190 months

Thursday 20th January 2011
quotequote all
Other than for cosmetic reasons is there any real benefit for silicone over std rubber hoses? The cost of a full set plus induction hoses is just over £300 yikes I'll still need new antifreeze and might as well strip and flush the rad. Still I hope only a single weekend (if all goes well - I'm a slow spanner and very fussy )whistle

clive f

7,259 posts

262 months

Thursday 20th January 2011
quotequote all
why not just go for the silicon coolant hoses, and stainless pipes, and the 90 degree bend smooth bore induction hose, (AFM to plenum),the long induction hose, which I think is quite expensive isn`t really needed.

take your old one, providing it isn`t in bad nick, wrap it in a layer of bubble wrap, then get some heat reflective mat and make a sleeve over the top, that way you are nsulating the pipe trying to keep the intake air as cool as possible.

the 90 degree smooth bore bend does make a slight difference, so is worth having, but again wrap this with some heat reflective tape, as it passes directly over the manifolds.

Barreti

6,689 posts

266 months

Thursday 20th January 2011
quotequote all
Silicone is fit-and-forget.

Its also a shed load easier to fit that dinky short hose from the water pump.
Mostly its just vanity, especially if you buy anything other than black.

Pull the existing steel 'hoses' and have a look inside. Mine were absolutely rotten on the inside. If you are replacing them you might as well put something shiny in instead.

crackedfinger

1,569 posts

258 months

Thursday 20th January 2011
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I also found the steel pipes in terrible condition. The SS pipes are not really that much, and thy are well made from ACT. And as I've replaced the rad with an ali one, as there is only aluminium and stainless containing the cooling system that I can tell. The coolant stays very clean. The rad is expensive though.

Biggles101

Original Poster:

195 posts

190 months

Thursday 20th January 2011
quotequote all
True the mild steel pipes are shot so need replacing. Don't think I can justify the Ali rad, so a flush will have to do. AND Bling (in moderation) always helps. How much does the smooth bend help with induction then?

clive f

7,259 posts

262 months

Friday 21st January 2011
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I think if you do a search on here you may find a few answers about the smooth bore 90 degree bend, from memory when me, spend, mike virgo and pasco tested on Joolz dyno we found an extra 3-4bhp just by changing that pipe form the concertina type to the smooth bore type.

Pasco

6,652 posts

257 months

Friday 21st January 2011
quotequote all
clive f said:
I think if you do a search on here you may find a few answers about the smooth bore 90 degree bend, from memory when me, spend, mike virgo and pasco tested on Joolz dyno we found an extra 3-4bhp just by changing that pipe form the concertina type to the smooth bore type.
Might even be as much as 5hp if i recall Cliff yes and for £30 odd quid is a no brainer

Do as Cliff said regarding the straight pipe also thumbup

Biggles101

Original Poster:

195 posts

190 months

Friday 21st January 2011
quotequote all
Thanks Guys as you say NO BRAINER... beer

Matt