INTERCOOLER HARD PIPES - silicon or metal
 

hi all, just wondering whether i would benefit by having metal intercooler piping or by leaving my current APS silicon hoses as are:
what are the advantages and disadvantages of both types???


Attachment 60885

:notworthy

With hard pipes I'm assuming less movement with pressure to dia. Disadvantage, metal pipes would increase the heat sink.

I fitted a hardpipe to my STI8 top mount (on 02WRX) and seem to have more turbo noise, is this normal?

Sorry to hijack

"hardpipe" is a term usually used for metal pipes that replace OE rubber or plastic pipes. Silicone intercooler pipes by definition are not hard.

The silicone pipes are easy to fit and can flex around things, but are a bitch to keep clean as I'm sure you've found out. Metal replacements will give you no performance increase. If you want an better setup, get a better intercooler, the early APS units for new age cars are not the greatest. Hyperflow and APS now supply metal pipes, although I prefer the hyperflow as they are aluminium rather than heavier steel items.

If they are not causing any paticular problem I would save your money, clean them with soapy water (don't use solvents, it stains them) then give them a coat of engine laquer to give them a wipe clean surface finish.

Paul

How about the turbo noise? Do you tend to get more with the hard pipes