Is it a Turbo sin to use silicone elbows?
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 572
Likes: 2
From: Gold Country California
Is it a Turbo sin to use silicone elbows? Finishing up my intercooler plumbing. The plumbing path is a little complicated. I'm just talking about the cold side. I need to know what you all think about using Silicone elbows, 90's and 45's for all the bends? Is it considered cheaping out? Too ricer? Uncool and shows a lack of skill? Also, Mine would be all black Silicone and not any kind of Day-Glo colors.
Or is it totally acceptable to use Silicone cold side plumbing elbows and clamps for all the turns? Looking around I see it done both ways. Heck of a lot easier and forgiving. The top level work looks like all aluminum with all V-band joints which is very cool. Others I don't like have all silicone even for the straight pieces.
I just need to know if its too lame or if its perfectly acceptable. What is your opinion?
Or is it totally acceptable to use Silicone cold side plumbing elbows and clamps for all the turns? Looking around I see it done both ways. Heck of a lot easier and forgiving. The top level work looks like all aluminum with all V-band joints which is very cool. Others I don't like have all silicone even for the straight pieces.
I just need to know if its too lame or if its perfectly acceptable. What is your opinion?
My personal experiences high quality silicone couplers paired with quality T-bolt clamps work great as long as your intercooler piping is bead rolled. I personally went Vanjen clamps on my build for the fact they're tool free quick disconnect, hold alot of boost (200psi+), allow 12° of flex and have a over all better appearance under the hood. I almost went with Wiggins clamps for my intercooler piping, and coolant pipes. But I couldn't justify that amount of money on my setup. Silicon couplers are very forgiving & affordable. If your looming for a solution for that Bad *** C5 project you have I'd go Vanjen or Wiggins or something similar. They're so much more visually appealing. That C5 build is fanonimal! I personally believe all your awesome craftsmanship deserves better than silicone couplers. Either way they'll all meet you needs.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 572
Likes: 2
From: Gold Country California
I know it will work Joe. Fact is its very clean. I think Im just having a battle with myself over it. Trying to get past over engineering everything and get the damn car running.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 572
Likes: 2
From: Gold Country California
My personal experiences high quality silicone couplers paired with quality T-bolt clamps work great as long as your intercooler piping is bead rolled. I personally went Vanjen clamps on my build for the fact they're tool free quick disconnect, hold alot of boost (200psi+), allow 12° of flex and have a over all better appearance under the hood. I almost went with Wiggins clamps for my intercooler piping, and coolant pipes. But I couldn't justify that amount of money on my setup. Silicon couplers are very forgiving & affordable. If your looming for a solution for that Bad *** C5 project you have I'd go Vanjen or Wiggins or something similar. They're so much more visually appealing. That C5 build is fanonimal! I personally believe all your awesome craftsmanship deserves better than silicone couplers. Either way they'll all meet you needs.
Here's my build is nothing to envy but it may help you visualize for your application.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...z31-build.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...z31-build.html
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
Get the car running, work on a better solution from there.
My entire coldside was made from a single aluminum U-bend and a single 45* aluminum bend. Silicone couplers and the bits that were cut from the 45 and U were bead rolled and placed between them. I have maybe 80 bucks in the piping, couplers, and clamps.
My entire coldside was made from a single aluminum U-bend and a single 45* aluminum bend. Silicone couplers and the bits that were cut from the 45 and U were bead rolled and placed between them. I have maybe 80 bucks in the piping, couplers, and clamps.
Trending Topics
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Silicone can be handy for many reasons. The simple fact it's flexible, bends are tight and welding isnt required.
Obviously every joint is a potential pipe to blow off though. Lots of hoses and joins can look messy.
but at the end of they it will work fine.
Even if you were to make a mandrel for the silicone, you could get long 1 piece hoses made, similar to what APS did with some of their Subaru hoses here
Obviously every joint is a potential pipe to blow off though. Lots of hoses and joins can look messy.
but at the end of they it will work fine.
Even if you were to make a mandrel for the silicone, you could get long 1 piece hoses made, similar to what APS did with some of their Subaru hoses here
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
On your build...I think alot of silicone would be a dis-service to all the work you have put into it at this point. Your build is so detail oriented, don't stop now!!
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 572
Likes: 2
From: Gold Country California
I will fully damn admit that is part of it. I am tired of welding. I did not get any negative response to the use of Silicone parts. All the aluminum straights are fully polished and I'm polishing each and every clamp as well. Ill post pics in the next couple days and sort of poll what you guys (whoever gives a ****) think if its worthy or not.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 572
Likes: 2
From: Gold Country California