3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

anyone make silicone heater hoses for the fds

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 13, 2014 | 01:12 PM
  #1  
edgars95rx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member: 10 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: iowa city
anyone make silicone heater hoses for the fds

i need to replace my heater hoses and i would like to use silicone, last longer and dont have to worry about them as often as rubber. any manufacture make silicone heater hoses ive looked and found nothing
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2014 | 08:59 PM
  #2  
SA3R's Avatar
10-8-10-8
Tenured Member: 10 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 848
Likes: 12
From: Australia
I would not use silicone for any type of water or coolant hose personally.

Yes there's a big deal about how nice and "racey" they seem to look, at first glance.

But silicone does in fact sweat, and is not 100% water tight. Some people who run silicone radiator hoses do need to top up their coolant more often than a rubber hosed engine. Silicone hoses are slightly water permeable over time.

Read here and then decide if you want them:

Silicone Radiator Hoses: Not for the Street > MotoIQ - Automotive Tech, Project Cars, Performance & Motorsports

If you look at real race cars, or even highly stressed factory supercars, you'll see that they do not in fact use silicone for coolant hoses. Under the hood of most purpose built cars which spend more time on the track or street than car shows, you'll see plain black rubber hoses. Because they work.

I would not introduce another point of failure or reduced reliability into my car by replacing rubber hoses that work fine, with silicone which have reduced ability.

The only place silicone is of benefit is turbo piping couplers and replacing the rats nest hoses IMHO
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2014 | 09:04 PM
  #3  
DaleClark's Avatar
RX-7 Bad Ass
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (56)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,627
Likes: 2,733
From: Pensacola, FL
Mazda OEM hoses are the way to go. Period. They work great, last a VERY long time, fit right, and are reasonably priced.

Zero reason to "upgrade" to silicone. Same goes for radiator hoses.

Also, you can't compare original 20 year old hoses to new aftermarket hoses. I guarantee you, give some silicone hoses 20 years and 100,000 miles and they'll look terrible and leak too.

This is something that you DON'T want to experiment with or cut corners on. Get the OEM hoses, use OEM hose clamps, and you will have many trouble-free miles.

Dale
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2014 | 12:23 AM
  #4  
TpCpLaYa's Avatar
T3DoW
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 5
From: Chicago - NW Burbs
listen to the wise men above!

Reply
Old Feb 14, 2014 | 03:40 PM
  #5  
edgars95rx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member: 10 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: iowa city
I did not know that silicone hoses leaked thanks for the info
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2014 | 08:01 PM
  #6  
IRPerformance's Avatar
Sponsor
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,347
Likes: 321
From: NJ
Samco and Mishimoto make them. I've never had an issue with either of these brands. I have however had the cheap ebay ones split and leak. Usually I just recommend oem hoses.
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2014 | 09:44 PM
  #7  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,788
Likes: 809
From: Bay Area CA
+1 on the OEM hoses. Silicone does not make a great material for use as a coolant hose. Get a new set of OEM clamps while you are at it since they provide the correct amount of torque and don't loosen up like worm gear hose clamps.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dkwasherexd
Single Turbo RX-7's
21
May 27, 2017 04:51 AM
RotaryBobby
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
2
Aug 29, 2015 10:32 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:04 PM.