Intercooler piping solutions

[ReQuieM]

I'd agree. Stay clear of ebay. Auto bahn sell hybrid T clamps the best I've found by far!

[NeoNasty]

Has anyone used that heat wrap stuff on their piping?

I guess after the intercooler would be the best, hot air out of turbs, cooled in cooler.. Gets warm again back into engine bay..

Why not wrap it? Wouldnt the ali/steel pipes heat up in the bay, and surely that would have an effect.

[Mr Multivalve]

If you've got time and patience, then ebay is the palce for silicone reducers & clamps

If you're in a hurry, then try Qld Diesel Spares or Havey's hoses.

I have seen some good looking stuff on ebay and also some stuff that looks like crap I might call a piping or hose place and see if they stock it or know someone who does. Thanks

[mullett]

HoseCo in Perth supply it, I guess they're over east too. They distribute to everyone who sells it in Perth (except the shitty 20% silicone china stuff), so you can get it from them pretty cheap. I think about $80/m for 2.5

RM.

[feral4mr2]

i use painted mild steel exhaust pipe for my i/c piping, good shite.

[MX83GT]

I've used mild steel for all of my plumbing and used a MIG welder. However I did use a die grinder to tidy up the inside of the welds. No corrosion issues.

As with all of my tubing in the engine bay (factory stuff included) I used the old wrinkle paint like many of the "M" BMW's. It's cheap, temperature resistant and looks factory. You can't tell the diff between alloy of mild painted with it.

eBay is no different to any other auction. Make sure you ask the right questions and do your research. I bough a couple of 2.5", 90 degree silicon 3ply bends delivered for $58. CAPA sells similar items (probably 5 ply) for nearly 4 times that price. DO YOUR RESEARCH. There are genuine bargains if you are patient.

[poorolla]

One little trick i've used successfully in the past is using truck radiator hose instead of silicon hose. The pressure in a truck's cooling system can get nice and high and these hoses are strong! You can get the truck radiator hose in 2" and 2.5" , possibly even 3". It can be bought in straight lengths or bends much like silicon hose Its not blue and funky like the silicon stuff, but is black and inconspicuous and can be found for significantly less than most places charge for the silicon equivilent..
I have used it before on my old car and ran only about 13 pounds max but i never had a problem.

Mild Steel pipes and Truck radiator hose FTW!

[whatthe?]

I dare say that cardboard isnt helping much either No wonder I gor you on the 1/8 mile at the Nats

Back OT, My last pipework was stainless, my new pipework will be polished alloy. I like the alloy whilst it's clean, unfortunately it doesnt seem to stay clean for long and needs regular re-polishing to look pretty

[rogue-vl]

I bought some 2.5 inch aluminium mandrel bent pipes of a guy that was selling via ebay but stopped due to lack of interest, his email is [email protected], ebay seller id performanceoz

$100.00 AUD included postage
both ends beaded on all pipes
2 x 90deg @ $16.50
1 x 45 deg @ $15.20
1 x 60 deg @ $15.60
1 x 30 deg @ $14.80
now alll i have to do is buy some silcon/rubber joiners and clamps

[RA23]

If you're worried about oxidation with aluminium, you could always get it anodised. I don't know about the cost though, only had small parts anodised in the past and that wasn't too bad.
You can get several colours, from clear or black to funky pinks and purples.

[Mr Ed]

Someone care to explain to me why a highly heat conductive metal is bad for IC pipework?

I wouldnt have though the air inside the pipes would be hotter than the engine bay air, hense conductive metal is good. Perhaps only coat/wrap the pipes after the IC??

Ive got Aluminium pipes on mine. They also weigh a fair bit less than the thinner wall SS stuff I had on it before. Havent actually weighed them to quote figures though.

[LeeRoy]

If you're worried about oxidation with aluminium, you could always get it anodised. I don't know about the cost though, only had small parts anodised in the past and that wasn't too bad.
You can get several colours, from clear or black to funky pinks and purples.

...or you could polish it right up or coat it in some clear

[JustCallMeOrlando]

I wouldnt have though the air inside the pipes would be hotter than the engine bay air, hense conductive metal is good. Perhaps only coat/wrap the pipes after the IC??

This is why I worded it the way I did. You'd want it to lose bulk heat coming straight off the turbo/s, but if you have a decent intercooler setup, you don't want to undo your hard work.

[oldcorollas]

I've heard it said quite a few times that mild steel will rarely rust as intake piping, even un-painted. Maybe make your pipes and get them Zinc Plated?

RM.

especially proper exhaust tubing, which is mild steel with aluminium in it

[Ben Wilson]

Someone care to explain to me why a highly heat conductive metal is bad for IC pipework?

I wouldnt have though the air inside the pipes would be hotter than the engine bay air, hense conductive metal is good. Perhaps only coat/wrap the pipes after the IC??

Ive got Aluminium pipes on mine. They also weigh a fair bit less than the thinner wall SS stuff I had on it before. Havent actually weighed them to quote figures though.

Before the intercooler, yes. After the intercooler, the air in the pipes should be cooler than the air in the engine bay.

Ideally, you'd want aluminium pipes to the cooler, then coated stainless from the cooler to the plenum.

Realistically, it will probably make bugger all difference, I suggest mild for price or aluminium for weight.