Hey all,
I'm looking for some help running intercooler piping on my next project car. I don't really feel like blowing $15-20 per silicone coupling this time around, but at the same time, I don't wanna get too cheap and run Home Depot PVC/ABS equipment that will degrade over time/heat/pressure. That's just unsafe for high boost applications. I plan to recycle the OEM piping from the car to make some couplings, but I think I will probably need more to finish running the front mount.
As such, I've concluded that my best bet is to find some bendable 2.0" universal coolant hose, rubber tubing, or something that can handle boost and intake air temperature pipe heat.
One option I considered was finding some big turbo diesel trucks and stealing their intercooler/radiator hoses. Only problem is that there aren't any locally to me, and without seeing them before purchasing the hoses, I won't know if they're the right size and shape that I need. That could also end up being pricey. I suppose Rock Auto clearance rad hose might work if I can find some in the right size.
I've also exhausted capable options locally for new hose. I tried a few local auto shops, an industrial supply store or two, and even the local hose/pipe experts. All they had for me was either too small in diameter or too firm to bend safely - further, it wasn't equipment that could handle the heat of an engine bay unfortunately.
Straight piping is easy... I can get 6061 aluminum or some cheap hot-rolled steel piping from the local metal mart and cut and file it myself. For clamps, they sell bulk packs of t-bolt or worm gear clamps both locally and on Ebay as well so that's no problem either. It's just the hose itself that is proving to be an issue. If my local yards weren't such criminals in their pricing and swift to shred/crush anything I could use, I'd consider looking there instead.
Anybody with any leads or recommendations?
Cheers,
A
|
There is no reason you should need that many bends and couplers. Keep is simple. It'll be a huge pain in the ass to try and get all that welded and fitted. Do the ebay kit and go from there. Don't make it harder on yourself and do NOT go with 2", do the 2.5" because doing it once is enough. I stupidly tried going the cheaper route and buying straight sections and a ton of couplers figuring I'd fab something up, they're shoved into a box in my basement now collecting dust, money well wasted.