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Going to replace the original hoses on my 2004 as part of general maintenance - weekend car, no track and not a daily driver. Looking at GM, Gates, Mishimoto and HPS. My first thought was to simply replace with GM parts, as the current hoses have lasted 17 years, but found that the Lower Coolant hose is discontinued (not available) and I cannot find a part number for the Throttle Body Return or Expansion Tank to Heater Core hoses. All 8 Gates hoses are readily available and the lowest cost option but I have no reference as to the quality or reliability. I have read several threads about Mishimoto but the kit only includes 5 (description does not even say which 5 are included) of the 8 hoses and would prefer to replace all with the same look. HPS has a kit for all eight hoses but is the most expensive and have not seen much on this forum about them.
Thoughts on replacement options for peace of mind that will easily last 5-10 years? Thanks for your input!
I have not replaced hoses on C5 yet, but I would just go with Gates myself since you said all 8 hoses are included, and Gates has been around a long time.
I replaced all my hoses several years ago while doing some work to the engine. I went with the Mishimoto and actually found all 8 hoses.
Our older son owns a garage here and separately builds 1,000 horsepower race engines. He has used Mishimoto hoses for several years and never had a hose failure, so that was a great endorsement to me. I like the longevity, flexibility, extreme temp range, and ease of removing them such as when changing out a radiator, etc. And, if you get them in their different colors they can dress up your engine bay (although I used the black on my car).
That said, I have used Gates hoses many times in the past with good success, too.
Just go with any quality hoses and you should have a good outcome.
I have a list of all the cooling components by GM and AC Delco, including the original style band clamps. If you prefer Gates, that is OK. I just preferred to remain as factory original as possible. BTW, if you’re going to change the hoses, that would be a good time to replace the belts and tensioners.
If you want me to post my list, send me a pm to remind me.
If you are going to change your hoses, I would go ahead and upgrade to silicone. It is more durable than the OEM rubber. Mishimoto is a great brand for this, and is well established and trusted. However, there are cheaper options on Amazon that will still get you all 8 hoses.
Here's most of the coolant pieces. I noticed I may be missing a clamp or two. Also a few extra parts if you want to knock them out "while you're in there".
Note: the upper heater hose is just straight hose and you need about 3'. This Gates hose is designed for this type of use. You can order this hose by the foot from your local O'Reilly parts store.
OEM hoses still on my C5. But if I'm ever removing a rubber hose, and there is a silicone replacement available...
...99 times out of 100, I'm replacing it with the silicone option. I run Mishimoto hoses on my race car, and they are excellent.
If you are going to change your hoses, I would go ahead and upgrade to silicone. It is more durable than the OEM rubber. Mishimoto is a great brand for this, and is well established and trusted. However, there are cheaper options on Amazon that will still get you all 8 hoses.
Originally Posted by Sydwayz
OEM hoses still on my C5. But if I'm ever removing a rubber hose, and there is a silicone replacement available...
...99 times out of 100, I'm replacing it with the silicone option. I run Mishimoto hoses on my race car, and they are excellent.
I just put these on my 02 this past year. Of course I went with all blue hoses They'll hopefully last me a lifetime.
If you haven't replaced the expansion tank, I'd do that too as it gets brittle with age and the bottom nipple cracks and then leaks.
........If you haven't replaced the expansion tank, I'd do that too as it gets brittle with age and the bottom nipple cracks and then leaks.
One other thing is that the expansion tanks have w "waffled" bottom, on the inside, and the "dimples" tend to fill up with sediment, and it's nearly impossible to clear them out.
I did this job a little over a year ago using mostly Gates hoses from Rock Auto.
The lower radiator hose they sent was WAY wrong but they had no better suggestion. I got the correct hose from AC Delco via Amazon.
The lower heater hose is a weird size but there is a guy on ebay that bought a zillion feet of it and sells it 3 ft at a time.
This would be a good time to replace the water pump, belts and tensioners/pulleys and maybe look into the harmonic balancer.
I did this job a little over a year ago using mostly Gates hoses from Rock Auto.
The lower radiator hose they sent was WAY wrong but they had no better suggestion. I got the correct hose from AC Delco via Amazon.
The lower heater hose is a weird size but there is a guy on ebay that bought a zillion feet of it and sells it 3 ft at a time.
This would be a good time to replace the water pump, belts and tensioners/pulleys and maybe look into the harmonic balancer.
“While you’re in there”…
and if pulling the balancer, it’s the right time to swap a cam 😎
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Silicone hoses would be a good choice, but they can get expensive. Nothing wrong with Gates hoses - as said, they are a well known company that has been around quite a while.
I replaced all hoses with a set of HPS silicone hoses. The fitment of every HPS hose piece was spot on. I was pleased that all hoses were included in one set, the quality was solid, and I like that they'll never have to be changed again.
Thanks for the information on HPS. They are on my list but I have seen few comments about them on this forum. I will be interested if anyone else has any experience with HPS quality.
Gates lower hose is about 1.5" too short. I have a AC Delco hose coming from Amazon hoping "OEM" works, We'll see how that goes. The upper radiator and hose from reservoir to engine by Gates do fit well.
Hose Replacements
I just put these on my 02 this past year. Of course I went with all blue hoses 
They'll hopefully last me a lifetime.
