LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Question on custom steam hose routing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 2, 2013 | 11:24 PM
  #1  
zeeboost's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Default Question on custom steam hose routing

I'm building a steam / vent hose setup for my Rx7 / Lt1 swap, and it would make a lot more sense for me to route the hose from the drivers side head to the water pump, instead of the passenger side like OEM and every other setup I've seen. The driver's side gives me more room between the engine and firewall to run my -AN elbow and T-fittings. Is there any reason why I couldn't run the line from the driver's side head to the water pump? Maybe something with the direction of the coolant flow...?

Helpful responses will be rewarded with pictures of the setup
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2013 | 11:47 PM
  #2  
Alex94TAGT's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by zeeboost
Is there any reason why I couldn't run the line from the driver's side head to the water pump? Maybe something with the direction of the coolant flow...?
I believe that the reason for the steam line being routed to the radiator is to allow a place for the steam to condense. If you route it to the waterpump, you will possibly end up recirculating air bubbles.

[Edit] Reading your post again, I may be misunderstanding your question. To be clear, on my car, the steam lines from the rear of both cylinder heads are tee'd together and routed to a fitting below the radiator cap on the stock radiator. Coolant thus flows from the heads to the radiator.

If you must connect these steam lines near the waterpump, I'd at very least make sure that they are dumping into a radiator return hose (ie, a waterpump outlet / radiator inlet hose).

Last edited by Alex94TAGT; Mar 3, 2013 at 12:16 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 01:11 AM
  #3  
zeeboost's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Default

I did the water pump mod that everyone on here talks about where you drill and tap the water outlet on the pump and install a 90* fitting. I know why gm ran the steam hose, just not sure if there's a specific reason why they chose the passenger head to tee off from to run to the radiator.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 01:36 AM
  #4  
Alex94TAGT's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by zeeboost
just not sure if there's a specific reason why they chose the passenger head to tee off from to run to the radiator.
They're both outlets, so no, it would make no difference which side has the t-fitting. If you wanted, you could use a y-fitting that favors neither side.

I suspect they placed the t-fitting on the passenger-side head only because it allowed the hose to be routed closer to its eventual destination. I wouldn't hesitate to put the t-fitting on the driver's side instead, if you were looking to route the hose along the driver's side of the engine to the waterpump outlet.

Sorry for any confusion -- I did originally misunderstand your question.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 12:21 PM
  #5  
zeeboost's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Default

K, that's what I had figured, but I'm a better safe than sorry guy. I'll get a couple of pics up when I finish the hose setup.

Thanks for chiming in on the subject
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2013 | 01:08 PM
  #6  
Alex94TAGT's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
Default

De nada.

Definitely post pics -- that car should be fun as hell when you're finished. Was it difficult squeezing the LT1 in there? From a quick google search, it looks like there's more room under the hood than I would have thought.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2013 | 01:19 AM
  #7  
zeeboost's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Default

I've been distracted by another project for the past 3 weeks, but now I'm back on this one. The Lt1 fits pretty well, but that damn steam tube is a PITA to work on with the engine installed. Thank god for crows feet.

Finished up the hoses tonight, so as promised:
Attached Thumbnails Question on custom steam hose routing-steam-tube-1.jpg   Question on custom steam hose routing-steam-tube-2.jpg   Question on custom steam hose routing-steam-tube-3.jpg  
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:52 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE