circusmagic

I was wondering which hose inner diameter did everyone use for replacing the oem hoses on the 'rat's nest'? The kit has 4 inner diameter sizes from 3.5mm (40ft supplied); 4.0mm(15ft supplied); 6.0mm (16ft supplied); and 8.0mm (4ft supplied). Do I use the 3.5mm or 4.0 inner diameter hose? If anyone can help me out...I'd appreciate it.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Most people seem to like the 3.5 mm hoses with that kit. I use the Baker Precision hoses at 4mm (which are damn tight at that size).

quicksilver_rx7

If I'm not mistaken, Baker Precision used to advertise the "4mm" which was actually "3.5mm". I prefer to use the actual 4mm i.d. with OEM squeeze clamps because the 3.5mm is too tight on the ever-so-brittle solenoid nipples. The cheapest I've found this hose is from OBX and the quality is just as good as the Baker Precision. You can get ~10ft. for about $15.

I've done this on my car and am currently doing this on a friends car. I have had no ill results from using this method and have not had a problem with the hoses popping off. Although, the OEM squeeze clamps are kinda pricey. I think they were a little over $1 each and I ended up using about 20-25 running the "simplified sequential" system.

Joe

mibad

Definately the 3.5 as it is thicker wall than the 4mm Hose Techniques gives you.

quicksilver_rx7

let me also add for those not doing simplified sequential, I think the 3.5 does work better on the rat's nest metal tubing, especially because of all the tight bends hoses must make. The 3.5mm does have a thicker wall and is less prone to kink. 4mm should still probably be used on the solenoids.

sonix7

I used the 3.5mm hoses in the rats nest and the 4.0mm on other connections as I saw fit, you will notice that some of the stock hoses are a little thicker diameter than others, I just did it up like that. I will give you a heads up on a trick that worked very well for me. I used springs from Ace or your local hardware store to reinforce the hoses in tight bends and later did most of the hoses like that. Reason: because it is very easy to kink the hoses, with the springs reinforcing the hose you can rest asure you wont have any kinks. It might have taken a few more seconds to insert the spring, but made it much easier to connect and keep the hoses to form the way I wanted. Good luck.

circusmagic

isn't there an issue when using the 3.5mm hose due to the thick walls. it seems like using the 3.5mm will minimize the acess for the vacuum system due to its small inner diameter... i was wondering why the ht kit provides 40' of 3.5mm hose and only 14' of 4.0mm hose...

quicksilver_rx7

Their kit uses the 3.5mm for the rats nest and the 4mm for the windshield washer fluid and other crap. I'm not sure if the .5mm difference matters with the vacuum hoses, but there is a huge difference in fitment.

Joe