Silicone vs. Rubber Intercooler Connections?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Silicone vs. Rubber Intercooler Connections?
Does the normal 350deg 3-4 ply polyester stuff provide tremendous benefits over nitrile rubber?
I know it handles higher boost pressures (but I only need 15psi) and looks pretty, but it's also harder to clamp down tight, and doesn't seem like it could take as much abuse.
Might consider the hi-temp 500deg stuff for the blower discharge tube, but any benefit for the rest of the system?
I know it handles higher boost pressures (but I only need 15psi) and looks pretty, but it's also harder to clamp down tight, and doesn't seem like it could take as much abuse.
Might consider the hi-temp 500deg stuff for the blower discharge tube, but any benefit for the rest of the system?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 0
From: Speedo Indiana
Originally Posted by gcrouse
Does the normal 350deg 3-4 ply polyester stuff provide tremendous benefits over nitrile rubber?
I know it handles higher boost pressures (but I only need 15psi) and looks pretty, but it's also harder to clamp down tight, and doesn't seem like it could take as much abuse.
Might consider the hi-temp 500deg stuff for the blower discharge tube, but any benefit for the rest of the system?
I know it handles higher boost pressures (but I only need 15psi) and looks pretty, but it's also harder to clamp down tight, and doesn't seem like it could take as much abuse.
Might consider the hi-temp 500deg stuff for the blower discharge tube, but any benefit for the rest of the system?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
I use silicon heater hose from the MAC truck store, you buy it by the foot there and cut it into 4" connectors. If you are having trouble with the clamping down here's a little trick. Put some tack weld spots on the very ends of the pipe. This will catch on the hose clamps if the connector is going to blow off.
Either should work just fine.
Either should work just fine.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Yes either will work with a proper bead and decent clamp.
Maybe I should have asked: what does that $45 silicone elbow do for me over the $9 rubber one?
pressure?
airflow?
temp range?
misalignment tolerance?
flexibility?
fatigue resistance?
weight?
Maybe I should have asked: what does that $45 silicone elbow do for me over the $9 rubber one?
pressure?
airflow?
temp range?
misalignment tolerance?
flexibility?
fatigue resistance?
weight?
Last edited by gcrouse; Mar 30, 2006 at 03:12 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
I would say that it gains you looks and maybe a little in temps.
However, why are you using an elbow?? You should be using a mandrel bent pipe to get a good sweeping turn to keep the velocity of the air up. The only reason you shouldn't is if you don't have the space.
Once you are using just silicon connectors you can buy semi truck heater hose and cut it to proper length for the same price as the rubber connectors. I want to say that it was $10-$20/foot of silicon line and you can get 3-4 connectors out of that. Then you have to add the price of the clamps.
However, why are you using an elbow?? You should be using a mandrel bent pipe to get a good sweeping turn to keep the velocity of the air up. The only reason you shouldn't is if you don't have the space.
Once you are using just silicon connectors you can buy semi truck heater hose and cut it to proper length for the same price as the rubber connectors. I want to say that it was $10-$20/foot of silicon line and you can get 3-4 connectors out of that. Then you have to add the price of the clamps.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 2
From: Honeoye Ny
Nitrile is fine up to a few psi. It is a function of pipe dia. larger the dia, the less boost it wil take before it explodes. Bruce and I had a 3" to 4" nitrile elbow from Burns explode on us at only 14psi. Silicone has held up ever since. Dont forget there is also the radiator hose type construction of connectors from your local CASE dealer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Originally Posted by Baldturbofreak
Nitrile is fine up to a few psi. It is a function of pipe dia. larger the dia, the less boost it wil take before it explodes. Bruce and I had a 3" to 4" nitrile elbow from Burns explode on us at only 14psi. Silicone has held up ever since. Dont forget there is also the radiator hose type construction of connectors from your local CASE dealer.
Hell yeah. I remember that one. It gone off sound like a shot gun. That how loud it was.
ps. the connector exploded were not from Burns. I got it from APT Turbo.
Bruce
Last edited by Bruce; Mar 30, 2006 at 04:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Dang I never thought of them exploding! I've seen 11psi with the 2-1/2" rubber connectors ATI supplied with their intercooler- but they're like 1/4" thick. Don't those take pretty high psi on the turbo-diesel trucks?
Better to be safe though; I'll mock it up w/ what I have then order the silicone pieces. Thanks guys!
Better to be safe though; I'll mock it up w/ what I have then order the silicone pieces. Thanks guys!
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 2
From: Honeoye Ny
Originally Posted by gcrouse
Dang I never thought of them exploding! I've seen 11psi with the 2-1/2" rubber connectors ATI supplied with their intercooler- but they're like 1/4" thick. Don't those take pretty high psi on the turbo-diesel trucks?
Better to be safe though; I'll mock it up w/ what I have then order the silicone pieces. Thanks guys!
Better to be safe though; I'll mock it up w/ what I have then order the silicone pieces. Thanks guys!
The connector we blew up was 1.4 thick too, but it had no fabric woven into it. The HD diesel connectors are built like Radiator hose in that they have aramid cord wound into the parent material (rubber or nitrile). The silicone's are built the same way.
The single biggest force on the connection is the pulling force caused by the forementioned area/psi moment. a 3" pipe has 7.06 in^2 of area. Multiplied by 11 psi and there is almost 78lbs of force pulling the connection apart. Combine the stresses and you have alot riding on a pice of rubber w/hoseclamps.
In my opinion, tie bars between each connection are worthwile. V-bands Beat all. So clean,so strong, so leakproof!
