Ghetto Intercooler Piping

[drifts14x]

Hey guys, it's official, my KA-T project has run me broke before I can even finish it. I have all of the pieces to put together the turbo, on the car, downpipe and all, but not even $35 left to do all of the intercooler piping. As I am not afraid of making ghetto looking but still functional setups, I was wondering if I can run PVC (Sprayed Black of course) as my piping with the Rubber couplers I found at Lowe's. I know that I should be using mandrel-bent aluminum with Silicone Couplers, but I really just want to get up and running, then go back and fix the cheap parts later. Can I set my car up with this?

[Warped]

my friend did that with his jetta tdi and it worked fine

[Structure240sx]

dont run too much boost and you will be ok. if you can find big enough radiator hose that can work to. it can swell a bit under boost but it will work

[coolcloo1019]

dont run too much boost and you will be ok. if you can find big enough radiator hose that can work to. it can swell a bit under boost but it will work

that's what i am planning on doing

[nissanfanatic]

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=2135062737

Like so? Yea it works. I am still running it but you always have to be afraid of blowing a hose. And after a little while, the pvc warps where the clamps are. Good luck.

[WDRacing]

http://www.mcmaster.com/General Purpose Blended Polypropylene/Rubber Duct Hose Part Number 53145K63

Doesn't get any easier or cheaper then that.

[95_240sx]

Dryer vent hose and Saran Wrap with zip ties!

Rick

[nissanfanatic]

Dryer vent hose and Saran Wrap with zip ties!

What?!?!?!?! For like 2psi max!hahahhahahaha

[AZhitman]

I'll bet that stuff won't hold 2 psi at underhood temps.

Matter of fact, I'd bet it'd melt WITHOUT hot boost rolling through it.

[coolcloo1019]

http://www.mcmaster.com/General Purpose Blended Polypropylene/Rubber Duct Hose Part Number 53145K63

Doesn't get any easier or cheaper then that.

sweet...thanks for the site. Seems like it will hold up to what I'll be boosting. We'll see.

[D Money]

holy crap that place is like the next street over from my house. sweet i should stop by there

[Warped]

fot that mcmaster stuff ,i bet it would be ok for a cold pipe but not a hot pipe the specs Temperature Range: -60° to +275° F

max psi@72°F is 13
Modified by Warped at 5:05 AM 1/28/2005

[nismo1003]

those rubber coupling that they sell it at Lowes or Homedepot won't hold because of the Hot Turbo, it will most likely started melting and then slip, I had that experience before, I've changed out those coupling every other weeks, if you want something that last , go to those industry hose company that deal with all kinds of hose, they can get u some coolant hose for the price u can get at the Homedeport but higher quality, I ran a searched on a http://www.aeroquip.com, there are tons of company deal with this kind of coolant hose, I hope that would help. by the way Mcmaster is a good place too, but if you find the local store for the same price u can get on mcmaster, why not! save u some shipping cost too and the down time!

[nissanfanatic]

Yea the rubber couplings actually just start developing holes over time where the clamps are. Eventually they blow out and you get a boost leak. They work as a temporary solution.

Mcmaster is really cool. Good prices and really fast shipping. I got my stuff in like two days.

[MarkEmark]

Hey guys, it's official, my KA-T project has run me broke before I can even finish it. I have all of the pieces to put together the turbo, on the car, downpipe and all, but not even $35 left to do all of the intercooler piping. As I am not afraid of making ghetto looking but still functional setups, I was wondering if I can run PVC (Sprayed Black of course) as my piping with the Rubber couplers I found at Lowe's. I know that I should be using mandrel-bent aluminum with Silicone Couplers, but I really just want to get up and running, then go back and fix the cheap parts later. Can I set my car up with this?

If you don't mind searching the woods on the side of the road for blown off pieces of PVC pipe and coupling, I'd say yeah, it's good stuff.

I say no, unless you're fully prepared for it to come apart frequently. I was only running 5-6 psi (from a tiny turbo) and the plumbing hose connectors/regular hose clamps that you find at Lowes failed, and one of my pipes blew off, fell off the car and rolled into the woods somewhere. Luckily I was only about 1/4 mile from home, but it does not work well, even under low boost. You've been warned.

[nissanfanatic]

PVC also gives off nasty fumes when heated. in

[drifts14x]

I thought PVC was rated to like 330PSI, or at least that's what it says it's rated at, I like the MCMasters Stuff, I'm probably going to use it, and as for the Lowe's Pipe connectors, I don't mind spending $5 a month and keeping a screwdriver in my car as a temporary solution until I get more money. I appreciate the input. I have to go start measuring now.

[nissanfanatic]

If you notice, its rated at 330psi at 72F. Its designed to hold pressure for ground water. Bursting is not a problem.

Those worm gear clamps don't exert enough clamping force before they strip. My hoses pop off occasionaly, but have never came off completely and fell out of the car.