1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Question for the Turbo Guys with InterCoolers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 07:52 AM
  #1  
RgrWalker's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Question for the Turbo Guys with InterCoolers

What type of Piping do you have installed with your Intercooler? Steel? Aluminum (sp)?

Can you use the Silicone Hose?

I'm debating which to use on my Intercooler....I think the Silicone Hose would be the easiest to do.

What do you guys think?

Thanks
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 10:01 AM
  #2  
tjgosurf's Avatar
Squeak, Suicide Girls
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 808
Likes: 1
From: NC
I think that the silicone might collapse, but thats just me.
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 10:44 AM
  #3  
fatboy7's Avatar
Got Boost?
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 1
From: Watertown, MA
I used mild steel pipes with silcone couplers. steel is easy to weld, and cheap to buy. Aluminum is a better choice because its light, and polishes up well. Its a bit more expensive though, and more difficult to weld up. Silicone can be purchased with renforcement, but typically it's only used for couplers. Long lenghts of it would probably work, but there would be more flex meaning poorer throttle response and higher lag time.
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 11:42 AM
  #4  
Rex4Life's Avatar
RX-7 Alumni
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 1
From: Spacecenter Houston
Aluminum is the best choice.

Steel will work but must be coated on the inside to prevent rust. Steel intercooler pipes have been known to rust and send flakes of rust into the engine. This problem would be much more pronounced in a coastal humid environment (like Houston where I live), so I would not choose steel.

Just my 2cts.

Scott
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 11:46 AM
  #5  
seanrot's Avatar
Always waiting for parts!
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 23
From: Illinois
Originally posted by Rex4Life
Aluminum is the best choice.

Steel will work but must be coated on the inside to prevent rust. Steel intercooler pipes have been known to rust and send flakes of rust into the engine. This problem would be much more pronounced in a coastal humid environment (like Houston where I live), so I would not choose steel.

Just my 2cts.

Scott
Broken oil seal fixes this. Sorry couldnt help it...
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 07:03 AM
  #6  
zipzaprx's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: marryland
I would go to your local mufler shop get them to properly bend you up some aluminized steal piping 2.5"-3.5" in diameter then send it off and have it jet hot coated. the results are great and you dont have to keep pollishing it like aluminum. You can wipe it down with soap and water or windex. Do not use silicone for any thhing more than coupplers they balloon and collapse. this will give you bad bost levels then you can't be sure if any problems arise.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 07:15 AM
  #7  
FB II's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 0
From: wishing i was back in FL
i am getting aluminized steel. this won't be for a while though.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 01:06 PM
  #8  
RgrWalker's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
I like that Muffler shop Idea, So AFTER I install my Intercooler I should just pull up to Midas and say, Make the Tubes for my TURBO NOW BIATCH!

Sounds like a Plan, Wonder how much it will cost?
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 02:42 PM
  #9  
kuhlrx7's Avatar
Unconfirmed
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: florida
muffler shop is a bad idea. think about it, they crush bend the pipe. this is a bad thing for ic pipe. disturbs the air flow. use mandrel bends only. do not half *** it and be sorry latter for as little it cost to do it right the first time

Last edited by kuhlrx7; Jun 15, 2004 at 02:45 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 07:30 PM
  #10  
tjgosurf's Avatar
Squeak, Suicide Girls
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 808
Likes: 1
From: NC
I dont think that crushing or bending a pipe for intake is all that bad. If you pay attention most untakes are a little rough so that the fuel/air mixture is mixed really well. For the exhuast it needs to be as smooth as possible.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 07:51 PM
  #11  
seanrot's Avatar
Always waiting for parts!
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 23
From: Illinois
Ok I admit it I'm the cheapest bastard on the planet. This is what I did for my intercooler piping.

1. Bought a stick/arc welder off ebay for- 50.00
2. Used existing turbo piping from stock turbo cars- minimal cost.
3. Cut off saw from ebay- 35.00

Results- with a little practice. Still waiting for my HKS BOV to put in there.


I also used the above set up with 2.5 inch mandrel bends a straight piping from JC whitney to make my exhaust from the turbo back.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 07:52 PM
  #12  
Rex4Life's Avatar
RX-7 Alumni
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 1
From: Spacecenter Houston
I dont think that crushing or bending a pipe for intake is all that bad. If you pay attention most untakes are a little rough so that the fuel/air mixture is mixed really well.
Sorry tjgosurf, but that's totally incorrect.

First, restricting the air flow in the intercooler piping is bad as it causes pressure drop from the turbo all the way to the TB. This pressure loss directly reduces boost pressure which is opposite the reason one installs a turbo.

Second I don't know of anyone that runs fuel thru the IC, ususally the fuel is added down stream of the IC. So this business about mixing is bogus.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 07:55 PM
  #13  
tjgosurf's Avatar
Squeak, Suicide Girls
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 808
Likes: 1
From: NC
Originally posted by Rex4Life
Sorry tjgosurf, but that's totally incorrect.

First, restricting the air flow in the intercooler piping is bad as it causes pressure drop from the turbo all the way to the TB. This pressure loss directly reduces boost pressure which is opposite the reason one installs a turbo.

Second I don't know of anyone that runs fuel thru the IC, ususally the fuel is added down stream of the IC. So this business about mixing is bogus.
Obviously you do not pay attention and read what you think is there. I never said anything about sending fuel thru an intercooler, nor did I say anything of restriction. If a large enough pipe is used there should be no problem with a bend. Unless of course its blocked off completely. Maybe I wasnt clear. Hopefully this clears this up.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 09:03 PM
  #14  
RgrWalker's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
That's what I was thinking, If I used Large enough Piping what would it matter if the bend wasn't Mandrel?

Like If I used 2 1/2 in Piping and at the bend it became 2" Piping.

How would that be any different than running 2" piping?

These are just questions I have. Thanks for all the answers.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 09:08 PM
  #15  
82streetracer's Avatar
8/1 Building/Drive Ratio
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 1
From: Mound, MN
www.stainlessworks.net will custom, CNC mandrel bend 304 stainless to order. Instructions for bending can be vocal, drawings, CAD, or they can duplicate a pipe sent to them. cost $20 a bend and $8-$13 for each feet of pipe. Polishing is also available.

They are custom bending a 3in turbo back exhaust for me that I mocked up in PVC. Great company.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2004 | 04:26 AM
  #16  
ioTus's Avatar
'84 5-letter
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,219
Likes: 8
From: Washington State
You never want to crush bend intercooler piping. Only EVER use mandrel bends.

When you crush bend a pipe, the diameter of the corner is about half (i think) the diameter of the straight section.

So, 2.5" piping would be just about right for your project lets say. That means, if you do 2.5" crush bent tubing, the i.d. is reduced to 1.25".

So that means you need something like 5" intercooler piping for you philosophy to work.

I'm sorry, but it doesnt work like that. You need mandrel bends.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2004 | 05:45 AM
  #17  
RgrWalker's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Ok, this will be the last question and this should just about cover everything I have on this subject.

First of all thank you for the comments and the website it's been a great help.

Next, Is the Elbow's that you find in like Autozone in the Muffler Section.

Do they have the Same OD all the way through or has it been crushed?

thanks
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2004 | 07:39 AM
  #18  
FB II's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 0
From: wishing i was back in FL
from what i have seen.. crushed. some have the rippled effect though, not sure how that works for flow.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2004 | 05:46 PM
  #19  
kuhlrx7's Avatar
Unconfirmed
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: florida
tjgosurf, man you need to pay attention !!! those that have responded here have tried to give you good knowlage. its your choice to use it, but do not be rude by telling them to pay attention. like iotus is explaining your Idea is all wrong. rex4life is correct in his reading of you post. and his anser.


RgrWalker you might think about thin wall exhust tube bends. they are only $14-18 each in the size you want. theythey are easy to cut with a hack saw. I used four u bends for my front mount. if you do not weld or have access to a welder get a couple extra u bends. if you need to go cheep with couplings you can get the 2 inch rubber couplings with the stanless sleves for pvc pipe at the nearest home improvement store it will work on 2.5 inch tubing $3-4 each. the silicone couplings are only about $10 each though.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2004 | 05:56 PM
  #20  
tjgosurf's Avatar
Squeak, Suicide Girls
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 808
Likes: 1
From: NC
Originally posted by kuhlrx7
tjgosurf, man you need to pay attention !!! those that have responded here have tried to give you good knowlage. its your choice to use it, but do not be rude by telling them to pay attention. like iotus is explaining your Idea is all wrong. rex4life is correct in his reading of you post. and his anser.
Dude how can I pay attention to anyone who does not take the time to look over his post so that he can assure that he did not miss simple spelling errors? You need to learn some reading skills, he accused me of wanting to run fuel thru an intercooler. So unless it is YOUR post do not try to tell me that I am wrong.

Last edited by tjgosurf; Jun 16, 2004 at 05:59 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2004 | 06:46 PM
  #21  
Rex4Life's Avatar
RX-7 Alumni
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 1
From: Spacecenter Houston
I'll be glad to beat this into the ground.

Originally posted by tjgosurf If you pay attention most untakes are a little rough so that the fuel/air mixture is mixed really well.
I read this as saying--the roughness in the intake pipes promote mixing of the fuel/air mixture.

That's why I was under the impression you thought there was fuel within the IC.

Of course the fuel is way down stream so I don't see any way the roughness promotes mixing. That's what I thought was bogus.

And yea, maybe you need to pay attention!!!

Oh and tjgosurf, get your spelling right before you go complaining about others--BTW most of us don't care.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2004 | 06:54 PM
  #22  
RgrWalker's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
KuhlRx7, Thank you for the Tip's on how to stay cheap with this. The biggest issue I have right now is just to get this Dang thing on the road. Once it's Running and on the road then I can ALWAYS Upgrade the thing's I put in her to get her on the Road. I stayed pretty cheap with this project so far and hope to stay that way until I have it running and driving, Once that happens then I will go with the Best of everything but little bit's at a time.

Thank you for all your comments guys and sorry about the thread going off topic a couple of times. I won't be posting on this subject any longer I have an Idea of what I need to do and it came from this Thread, I'll post updated Pics when I get there.

Thanks
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2004 | 07:35 PM
  #23  
luiml73's Avatar
Rotary Powered Boobies
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 0
From: Miami Beach
Muffler piping

Reply
Old Jun 17, 2004 | 03:03 AM
  #24  
ioTus's Avatar
'84 5-letter
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,219
Likes: 8
From: Washington State
luiml73 those look like crush bends. Whats teh o.d. on the straight sections and whats the o.d. on the crushed sections?
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2004 | 03:44 AM
  #25  
RgrWalker's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Lol, just when I had an Idea of what I was going to do, luiml73 comes along and changes it all up again. SO, now that you've come out and posted a SWEET PIC of Exhaust Tubing, Would you care to give me the details? Size and how you did it?

Thanks
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:32 PM.