Is it just me or the AST hose is 3/8 ID and everywhere I go tells me that water hose doesn't come in 3/8 and that the only hose like that is Fuel Hose. Problem is that Fuel hose is 6$/Ft and Water hose is 0.60$/foot.

Can anyone confirm? Or do I just use the standard 1/2 and call it a day.

 

Since no one has answered yet, I'll toss in my $.02. Buy the pre-formed hose(s) from Mazda (like from Ray Crowe at Malloy). There are three hoses at the AST: N3A1-15-183A goes from AST to thermostat housing, N3A1-15-184A goes from AST to bottom of radiator, and N3A1-15-380C goes from AST to reserve tank (almost all the way, anyway... to a hose coupling). Prices from Malloy are $16.87, $25.96, and $19.58, respectively. The pre-formed hoses will be the right materials and shapes, as opposed to buying bulk hose, trying to rout it correctly, and hoping it will stand up to the underhood temperatures.

 

You may want to consider deleting the AST altogether.

If you want to keep it I agree with wstrohm, you'll need the formed hoses as they make some convoluted bends. At the shop we delete the coolant thru the TB on most builds, and run a 3/8th pushlock coolant hose (it is possible to find it, we stock it) from the rear iron forwards to the back of the wp housing. This is possible b/c it's basically a straight shot.

HTH--

 

I have all brand new AST hoses from Ray, but I am trying to relocate my AST and as for the bends I'll be using some U coils.

I don't want to eliminate the AST I have thought it through and would much rather keep it.

 

I don't know if you have a NAPA up there, but I didn't have any problems when I asked for 3/8" Heater Hose there. Not that I'm suggesting you order from the following place, but just showing you that it does exist.

http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/VIB2042.htm

 

Yeah it does.

I can get that product here in 48hrs but again it is like 70$ for 21 feet or something like that no way I am going to use even close to that amount but hey I guess that is what it is going to have to be.