I picked up some Samco hoses, and then I read this: http://www.beyondthedyno.com/Blogs/Eric/?p=1401

My car is primarily for the street, but I do take it to the track at least once or twice a mother. But it sounded like some horrible thing to not run rubber hoses for street, but is that it big of deal? I'd like to hear reviews/opinions from people who run them.

 

i've ran them for five years now.. no problem.

 

that dude is full of ****.

I have Silicone hose on my Rx-8 and I flush it every year, not even a drop on coolant level.

 

silicone is a waste of money, my FC has the original hoses still, 22 years old. if i need to change them new rubber ones are like $40.

its not an upgrade to change a perfectly good part, with another of equal (or less) function for more money

 

Thanks, that's what I need to hear.

 

If silicone hoses are so great, how come OEMs never use them and still have a very long life from factory hoses? In this case you can't beat OEM for 99.9% of applications.

 

Because it cost couple times more than regular rubber. it might not sound much to you, but as a manufacture stand point. each extra dollar means they might have to spend the extra 100s if not millions of dollars into the cost. and some times you just cant move those cost to customers. people wouldn't buy it.

if OEM is the best, there would be no aftermarket.

Stock hose is good for what it is, if yours hold for 20+ years, good for you. but there are people with leaky hose that causes their engine to overheat and other damages.

Just keep those in mind.

 

Good luck finding an aftermarket radiator hose that will last as long as OEM. Hell, good luck finding an aftermarket radiator hose clamp that will last as long as the bulletproof (but annoying to remove) OEM spring clamps...

 

there is no clear answer to that my friend.

Im pretty sure I can find you an example of leaky OEM hose that last 5 months.

Like I said earlier, if OEM is the best in everything, there would be no aftermarket. if yours worked 20+ yrs, thats good to know. but why would I take the risk? I will at least change the rubber hose out every 50K miles or so. sooner or later it will break. you know it.

 

Aftermarket is there typically because OEM parts are too expensive

OEM is typically the quality that aftermarket brands try to match and not always do

 

Not always, depends on "what" you need.

for example, I would NEVER get a windshield wiper from dealer.


that could be true. but we're talking about Silicone hose here, generally speaking they are better quality than the OE ones, this is only true if you're getting some "good quality" stuff tho.

but most people's car life just simply not long enough to test them. or they just change it out for "better be safe than sorry" reason(like me)

 

generally the only time ive seen hoses fail early, is due to those crappy screw type hose clamps cutting into the hose.

no need to get defensive or anything, not like silicon hoses are BAD, but IMO i use the OEM hose because i KNOW it works. i do not know if a chinese/bangladeshi made "silicon" hose will work.

the mazdaspeed protege uses silicon hoses, car smells like coolant...