CCarlisi

I'm tired of constantly having to retighten the garbage clamps that Greddy provides with its FMIC kit to secure the IC pipe couplers. I found a good supplier for T-bolt clamps, but I am not sure what size to get.

I called Greddy this morning, and got a whole lot of attitude and not much help from their tech department.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a company that sells garbage employs morons.

I believe I need a total of 10 clamps
1. one clamp: turbo y-pipe to upper ic pipe
2. two clamps: upper ic pipe to lower ic pipe
3. two clamps: lower Ic pipe to core (both the same size?)
4. two clamps: ic core to ic outlet pipe (both the same size?)
5. two clamps IC outlet pipe to upper IC outlet pipe
6. one clamp: upper IC outlet pipe to elbow.

If anyone can provide me with the pipe diameter for each of the clamping points I would appreciate it.

maxcooper

The pipes are all 2.75" (assuming they are the same diameter as the stock stuff), so add a little for the silicone hose couplers and you are looking for clamps that can cover 3-3.25". T-bolts or worm-type constant torque clamps (McMaster.com) should work fine. The "constant torque" thing just adds a spring so that the clamps will stay tight through heat cycling (which is what loosens the lesser clamps over time).

-Max

Edit: fixed a typo

CCarlisi

Max,

I believe the pipes coming off the end tanks are larger than 2.75. I remember seeing a reducer on one or both sides of the IC core.

Thanks for the reply.

BigIslandSevens

iTrader: (4)

Try High Temp Silicon. He is on this forum under that user name. I am ordering a bunch from him in the next week. http://stores.ebay.com/High-Temp-Sil...enameZl2QQtZkm

You want mostly 2.75 except for the ones on the IC endtanks.

Those are as follows,...Drivers side end tank has a reducer...2.75-3.25".

The passenger side is a straight 2.75 on both ends. Like the rest of them too.These are Inner Diameters

SleepR1

I just ordered a set of t-bolt clamps from www.atpturbo.com to replace all the goofy clamps from my FMIC setup. Talk to "Su" at ATP Turbo.

I also replaced all the flimsy GReddy FMIC couplers with 5-mm wall thickness Samco Sport silicone couplers (in bright blue). US distributor for Samco Sport couplers is BRITS (British Racing Imports). Visit their website at www.sporthoses.com

For Samco Sport couplers, you need four 70-mm ID (inner diameter) couplers, for the GReddy FMIC piping; and one 60-mm coupler for the secondary turbo intake pipe (assuming you have the GReddy Airinx intake).

For clamps you'll need two 3-inch t-bolt clamps for the 60-mm coupler (secondary turbo intake pipe); and twelve 3.25-inch t-bolt clamps for the six 70-mm couplers used on you GReddy FMIC kit (don't forget the two couplers you can't see at the bottom of the FMIC core).

Good luck and enjoy!

widebody2

I just ordered 10 constant torque clamps from McMaster.com. they got here really fast and they give you a nice discount on 10+ item orders. I think they were 3.65 each or something. They have them listed as constant tension clamps on their site.

SleepR1

Brits pricing on Samco Sport couplers is $10.25 each for 70-mm ID, and $9 each for 60-mm ID.

3 and 3.25 inch t-bolt clamps from ATP Turbo are $3.75 each. They are very high quality stainless steel t-bolt clamps with 11-mm screw-down nuts, and rust resistant "t's".

alberto_mg

Chris,

If you are using the stock elbow and the IC pipes match in diameter, then all of the sizes for the locations you posted are 2.75". Do not buy the 3" clamps. They don't fit.

Early on someone told me 3" and I went and got them only to discover that they are too big. They have since been replaced with clamps that support 2.75" silicon couplers. I got my stuff from www.hosetechniques.com and was even able to get someone on the phone to answer questions about the correct size clamp.

Alberto

CCarlisi

Here's a little overview of what we have so far.

BigIslandSevens
Big said I need 2.75 and 3.25, but noted these are inner diameters so I’m not sure what clamp size that suggests.
-2.75
-3.25
-not sure if he has installed these.

SleepR1
Manny suggests 12 3.25 CLAMPS for the intercooler. Btw Thank you Manny for noting that I missed 2 clamps in my original estimate. I’m surprised you didn’t suggest a different size for the larger end tank connection on the passenger side. Was this an oversight or does the 3.25 clamp work for both?
-3.25.
-has not installed them yet

widebody2
No size listed, but apparently he has the clamps in his possession
-installed???

alberto_mg
Alberto suggests 2.75 clamps for all the 2.75 pipes and noted that he tried 3inch clamps and they didn’t fit.
-2.75
-has installed them

I’m still not sure what size clamps to get, but I feel pretty confident that most of the piping is 2.75 with the exception of the inlet on the pas side of the IC which is apparently 3.25. Titan Motorsports (yes, I know it’s a supra shop) lists the size range of their clamps. They have one that covers a range of 2.63 -2.93 and another that is 2.88-3.19. Which would be better for a 2.75 pipe with a coupler? The closest thing they have to 3.25 is 3.38-3.63.

93BlackFD

goto mcmaster carr, they're cheaper

you'll need mostly 2.75", but one 3.25" for the reducer on the outlet of the intercooler

i'm tried and true

CCarlisi

DONE. I ordered from Su at www.atpturbo.com. I got the clamps for 3.50 each: 11 3in clamps and 1 3.5in clamp. I will follow up once they are installed. Thanks for input guys.

tt2323

great info guys i'll have to look into this for my 2row setup...guys do me a favor and post your intake pics in my 2row post!

BigIslandSevens

iTrader: (4)

I have not installed yet but have talked to Jim the owner(High temp silicon) and Damian on the forum HAS installed these on his track car. All sizes are inner diameter for the couplers.

The site I listed sells the T-clamps with the couplers so the fit is correct before they even leave for your place.

spyfish007

There is only one large clamp on the GReddy 2row. That is the cold side of the IC is 3" opposed to 2.75" for every other clamp. The coupler that comes with the Greddy kit is a reducer coupler.

SleepR1

People seem to be referring to the outer diameter measurements of the FMIC piping--2.75 inches (except for the FMIC core endtank cold side, which is 3 inches according to spyfish007).

Your silicone coupler's wall thickness will determine the actual clamp size. In my case, I use Samco Sport silicone couplers. They have a 5-mm wall thickness.

The FMIC piping requires a 70-mm inner diameter bore size. If we do the math, the outer diameter of the coupler becomes, 70 mm ID + 10 mm (coupler wall thickness x 2) = 80 mm, which is 3.15 inches. Thus a 3.25-inch t-bolt clamp will be the proper size for the FMIC piping (except for the endtank piping).

The secondary turbo coupler has a 60-mm inner diameter bore size. With 5-mm wall thickness (x 2), coupler outerdiameter is 70 mm, 2.75 inches--making the 3-inch t-bolt clamp the proper size for the secondary turbo intake coupler.

So in light of the new info regarding the larger sized FMIC end tank piping,

the new estimate would be:

-two 3-inch t-bolt clamps for the secondary turbo coupler
-eleven 3.25-inch t-bolt clamps for the FMIC piping
-one 3.5-inch t-bolt clamp for the FMIC core endtank side of the reducing coupler (per spyfish007's quote above)

I have not installed mine yet.

BTW the 3, 3.25 and 3.5 inch clamps were $3.75 each, as listed on ATP Turbo's website? Did you get a special deal or something? I'll have to bitch at "Su" for paying full retail LOL

Thanks to spyfish007 for clarifying!

spyfish007

You made just as good of a point SleepR1. I've tried some T-bolts with the cheap GReedy couplers and they didn't work before. Sorry I can't remember what size but he has many bins of these clamps, but it sounds like you've done your homework.

CCarlisi

I think we need to establish a standard of measurement or the rx7 community will crumble.

I want to note that the ATP site measures the clamps with reference to pipe size rather than clamp size. Eg. the 2.75in clamp is actually a 3in clamp that will fit on a 2.75in pipe with a coupler (read the fine print).

Manny, I dropped your name and he offered the discount. Now that's a kick in the ***!

Spyfish, based on your calculations it sounds like the 3.5in clamp will be too large. My clamps will be here tomorrow. Stay tuned!


-

cewrx7r1

iTrader: (2)

You could measure them yourself or is that too difficult for you?

circumference = 3.14 * diameter

SleepR1

Damn, that sure is LOL I paid $3.5 extra or something for my fourteen t-bolt clamps LOL!

Quote:

Spyfish, based on your calculations it sounds like the 3.5in clamp will be too large. My clamps will be here tomorrow. Stay tuned!

The 3.5-incher will work for the large pipe on the endtank cool side, according to spyfish? What is your coupler wall thickness (in mm)?

spyfish007

Now I've got to take it off and measure ... oh well, time to powder coat!

CCarlisi

Update.

The 3in and 3.5 in clamps are too small. I maxed out the clamps and could not get them to close over the couplers.

Here is the size range of each clamp:
3in:
2.8-3.15

3.5in:
3.28-3.50

$26.00 in shipping wasted. Live and learn.

Yes it is actually. I live in the city and don’t have a garage. Obviously I could measure the top pipes, but I was concerned about the size of the IC core connections. I'm sure you're aware these are not easily accessible without removing the body pan. In my case removing the pan is a project in itself because I have a radiator duct that goes under the IC core and blocks my access to the pipes.

spyfish007

I calculated the GReddy couplers to be 4.5mm. I am running a 3.00" min t-bolt clamp on some of my couplers ... I've slowly been replacing the worm gears.

High Temp Silicone

When choosing a t-bolt clamp the easiest way to determine the size is to take the pipe outside diameter and add 2 times the wall of your current hoses. That is your maximum diameter. Of course you want to add a little room for installation.

Every manufacture is different. We have all of our T-Bolts custom made for our own hoses. For example our 3" t-bolt is made with a 3.13" - 3.44" range. (3.00" Pipe + .400" [.200" hose wall thickness x 2 = .400]. However some manufacture use a nominal for a size. They clamp may go from 2.88" to 3.19" in which case would not work on most well constructed hoses.

Bottom line is to make sure you find out the range of the clamp and know what the wall thickness of your hoses.

Jim

CCarlisi

I exchanged my 3in and 3.5in ATP clamps for 3.25 and 3.75in clamps. These clamps are listed on ATP's main menu as clamps for 3in & 3.5in piping, meaning 3.25 & 3.75 in max diameter clamps. The new sizes work fine, but something between the old and new sizes would be better. The 3.25in clamps must be tightened almost all the way down to form a seal with the pipes and couplers, but aside from this they work fine.

The ATP part numbers for the clamps I ordered are as follows:
CLA-T-325 3.75 x 11
CLA-T-375 3.75 x 1