What Are You Looking For?
A True Performance Hose
1. Why are "these" silicone hoses so expensive?
Most companies use a lower grade compound which require less "work" to form end products. The materials we use are unlike any other material on the market today. Due to the special nature of our material, specialized tooling is required to form the materials. This in turn gives you a product that holds less pressure when under high temperatures.
2. Are thicker hoses better?
Thicker 4ply+ hoses can be worse in most cases. There is no added value in burst pressure, heat rating etc... unless the same reinforcement is used. Most manufacturers use a very low quality raw materials, which forces them to make their hoses thicker in order to hold it's form/shape. Thick hoses often have leak issues from the clamping force needed to compress the hose. Also, they are not as pliable which makes them extremely difficult to install, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS to cut and remove from any application. The majority of manufacturers machine process their hoses, it provides them a cost effective method to mass produce hoses using polyester fabric, aramid, nomex, nylon and cheaper commercial grade silicone to compensate for "quality " silicone integrity. Any structural and high pressure application should have fiberglass centers. Below are an examples of different brands of silicone hoses.
Which hoses are you using?
This is one of our customer's old hoses. As you can see this hose has a different inside lining and also a poor quality wrap and dull finish. Also, if you look closely, the lining has started to deteriorate due to the polyester lining absorbing extra fuel and oils. The polyester lining will ultimately swell and cause the hose to expand and weaken.
3. How can I tell a good quality hose from other hoses?
Good quality Silicone is apparent from the richness of the color. Some manufacturers use two different types of silicone; one for the exterior and one for the interior. If your hose was not specifically made for coolant or oil use, it usually means a lower quality material has been substituted. However, there are special linings that are for coolant and oil applications. Silicone also has an adhesive quality on the exterior layer.
4. How much heat can a hose handle?
The majority of other manufactures will fall somewhere in the -60 degree C. to 240 degree C. maximum range.
5. Are cold air intake hoses the same as turbo hoses?
Cold air intake hoses do not need to be made from silicone.
6. How do I clean the hoses?
A small amount of rubbing alcohol, WD-40 or soap with warm water and just wipe. We recommend using the WD-40 for grease marks.
7. When will I need a thicker hose?
A thicker hose is often mistaken for a stiffer hose. The reinforcement will ultimately determine the tensile strength/temperature rating and has very little to do with the thickness of the hose. Some manufacturers may add filler to the silicone for added rigidity, but it will not have nearly the tensile strength/heat resistance of fiberglass.
8. How should a hose fit?
Any connector for force induced applications should fit like a surgical glove and be snug.
9. Which kinds of hose clamps are best?
Clamping force isn't the only reason hoses blow off during high boost and/or vibration of engine. Proper length, correct installation of hoses/piping, correct alignment of piping (pipes should be free of stress), beaded pipe ends, correct type of hose (hump hose), tensile strength of part, and overall condition of the hose all contribute to the stability of intercooler/turbo connections. Also, over torque of clamps will cause damage to the hoses and distort aluminum piping. We recommend either Constant-Torque Clamps and Spring loaded T-bolt clamps that self adjust during thermal expansion and/or contraction on the compressor outlet.
10. Why use silicone instead of rubber hoses/radiator hoses?
Silicone has a much higher temperature yield. Silicone wrapped with fiberglass will have an even higher temperature yield (500 to 600dg F.) than normal grades of commercial silicone wrapped with other materials. One of the benefits of good silicone under high temperature is its increased adhesion properties to metal under high temperature. Although minute, this will reduce the possibilities of pressure/boost loss. Also, radiator hoses are cooled from the direct transfer of coolant/water which allow the hoses to have a longer life. Direct transfer of compressed air coupled with "operating" temperatures (under hood temperatures) will dramatically shorten the life span of radiator hoses forcing them to have seam cracks and stiffen to the point that clamps have very little clamping pressure on the hose. Radiator style hoses also expand under load. We have had our customers watch their new radiator style hoses expand while only under 8 psi. Under real operating temperatures, the hoses will expand even further and boost loss will occur. Our diesel truck application of 35+psi have lost an average of 10+ psi when under load while using radiator type hoses.
11. Where/when should I use Spring Loaded T-Bolt Clamps?
Spring Loaded T-Bolts are best use at the compressor outlet. This is one of the most likely places that hoses, pipes etc...come flying off when under "heavy" boost. Our heavy duty spring loaded t-bolts adjust to the expansion/contraction of the hose/piping while under tremendous strain from boost pressure and temperature.
12. How much PSI can/should a silicone hose be able to handle?
Most silicone hoses (depending on reinforcement material) handle 20 to over 200 psi at room temperature. However, most of the time, operating temperature is much higher than room temperature. A hose's burst rating diminishes by over 50% depending on the temperature the hose is subject to. Another factor to consider is the diameter and length of the hose. The larger the diameter and the longer the hose, the less burst resistance it will have when under heat combined with pressure.
Example: 2"ID x 3"L can have a burst rating of 20 to nearly 250psi at non-operating temperature.
4"ID x 6"L can have a burst rating of 100 psi at non-operating temperature.
Our 3 1/2"ID x 6"L and 4"ID x 6"L have been tested to exceed 65+psi at full operating temperature (250 deg f.)
13. Why are some of the smaller hoses more expensive than larger hoses?
Our specially formulated material is much more difficult to use on smaller circumferences, therefore taking more time than larger hoses.
14. If I only run 10-15psi, do I really need a 600 d. resistant hose?
The average silicone hose will have a heat tolerance of less than 320 d f. At 15 psi, the air temperature out of the turbo is 300 d. Having a hose near the turbo and exhaust manifold will yield even higher external and internal temps.
15. What hoses should I use?
An ideal set up would include the use of one hump hose on each pipe after the turbo charger. Hump hoses allow for free play of the piping between the engine and an intercooler that is mounted solidly to the body of the car. The free play allows the stress to be taken off the intercooler end tanks.
16. Do most hoses have high pressure ratings?
Pressure ratings have a direct correlation to heat ratings over time. Most manufacturers will rate their hoses without a "specific" heat rating which gives the buyer a false sense of how the hose performs overall.
If you need anything, please contact us，Customized different size/color/shape products, making molds depending on your samples or drawings. FREE SAMPLES can be sent for your evaluation!
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