HPS Silicone Coolant Hose Kit
 

Hi all,
Just wanted everyone to be aware that HPS makes a "full" silicone coolant hose kit. Most that I've seen are just the two big radiator hoses, which HPS makes, but they also offer this full kit with all of the 5/8" molded hoses included, plus non-perforated stainless hose clamps included:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are molded and fabric reinforced true HEATER hoses, not just large diameter silicone vacuum hose. I use HPS coolant and Intercooler hoses exclusively in my car, and they are very high-quality 4-ply hoses. With the addition of some 1/4" and 3/8" silicon heater hose from Vibrant, there's officially no rubber hose in my car except fuel lines.

Good to know, I use their intercooler couplers too and they are good quality stuff. I replaced all my hoses with OEM one from Ray not long ago, will definitely look at the HPS one next time around.

I did OEM ones not long ago, and almost all needed to be cut off, they were stuck on so hard, so it doesn't take long for it to start to deteriorate the rubber. The only thing is, you can't use factor spring clamps (which I like in places) with the silicone, because the wall thickness is greater.

Hose clamps in some spots can be a real bitch to get to.

:icon_tup: Thanks.

anything else We should do preventative wise while replacing these hoses? i'm planning to get Koyo radiator and this hose kit also this N3A1-13-536 plastic nipple piece.

Hose clamps. Good constant tension ones. Not the parts store worm clamp crap

Thanks! i think the HPS comes with NON perforated clamps with rolled edges. I might give those a try. I'll also go get a washer for the drain bolt.

While you're in there replace the FPD if it's never been done...or eliminate.

To anyone contemplating silicone vacuum hoses, coolant hoses, etc, I would suggest a reading of the hose material test in the attached link. I bought and installed Viton (thick-wall) vacuum hoses, which have held up well for many miles/years.

The main advantage of Viton is its resistance to change at temperatures likely to be seen in the engine compartment of the FD. The main disadvantage (for me) was that I could not find hose ID's in metric sizes.

The nominal inside diameter of the "small" OEM hoses is 3.5mm. The "small" Viton hoses are 1/8" (3.175mm) ID. So the "small" hoses fit very tightly on their "pipes." The "large" OEM hoses are 6 mm ID. The "large" Viton hoses are 1/4" ID (6.35 mm), so they are loose and generally need hose clamps to secure them.

But I thought the pros outweighed the cons, and I have never regretted choosing Viton. My vacuum hoses have never transformed into "hard plastic" like the OEM hoses.

I've searched and googled, but I can't seem to find a How to for the heater hoses.

Will removing the IT manifold be the easiest way?

The HPS kit I bought comes with 4 heater hoses. I know that 2 of the hoses are going into the firewall on the passenger side. Where are the other 2 located?

Thanks!

There's one from the water pump housing to the hard line on the passenger side fender, then from that hardline into the firewall, then back out of the firewall to another hardline, then from that hardline runs own the firewall to the drivers side, and then from there to the block near the oil filter.

P

Thanks for the report! I can't believe it was 18 years ago that I conducted the test and wrote the report. I had lost the document ages ago during one of many computer upgrades over the years and figured it was lost to antiquity.

So sounds like taking the intake manifold off is the key. Thanks!

No, you don't need to remove the intake manifold, but you may need to remove turbo ancillaries to get your hands in there for the three on that side.