alternative types of intercooler pipes
 

i have heard of some people saying they use pvc pipe. how does this compare to metal tubig? seems to me that it would be better than metal cause it would insulate better. i dunno. let me know i there is any other type of pipeing used other than metal.

Good Question, i've wondered the same. While in the Air Force i worked extensively w/ PolyVinylChloride. PVC and it's related plastics, have really a thousand uses. They take a little longer to heat soak then most metals and some have even been used to carry steam.Which i think is sufficient for the task we seek. There are two common types of PVC schedule 40-80. The 80 being the thicker one. which would be better suited for our job application. There's also another form called C900 and it's usually used in water mains.. I don't think it would come in a size smaller than 4". Most electrical contractors carry a PVC bender which they use to carry electrical conduit. It does a good job of bending the pipe so that the bends themselves come out w/o any wrinkles. Much like Mandrel bending. they make both 90 and 45 degree elbows and the stuff is really easy to manipulate. What i don't know is how long it can withstand the heat, from under the hood. It should last several months....that's my guess. Never used it for this type of application. I would defifnitely go with the Schedule 80. and at the same time insulate it. Becareful as to which paints you use, some cause the plastic to break down. Also ....Never expose the plastic to UV type of light. This wiil greatly Deteriorate the plastic. It's the biggest NO NO. Good luck and let me know if you need help.

Oh yeah i've seen it used in old skool supras.

I would go with alum piping becuase it will look better under the hood. You can polish it and make it look nice. It is also lighter than steel exhaust pipes and look better anyways. PCV tubing just look ricey to me so I don't want to got that way with it.

C

i can give two shits about looks under the hood. to me it aint really a big difference in looks between silver metal and whatever colors pvc comes in. and if the pvc is cheaper and insulates better than i am all for it. but i dont know if it does any of these so i hope to find out.

I really doubt that heatsoak would make any difference in intercooler piping ... air probably is moving through there at 50 mph under boost. It woudn't be inside the pipe long enough to absorb any heat.

Re: alternative types of intercooler pipes
 

I would stay away from PVC because if it ets too hot and breaks down you'll be breathing chloring gas. It would probably never happen, but I'd rather be extra safe.:D

In my experience with PVC it needs to catch on fire for the stuff to break down and realease the CL2 (chlorine gas).... Anyhow electrical contractors heat the stuff up to the point where it soft like clay and then bend it, and no CL2 is realeased during that process. If you're concerned with the ricey look, then cover it up with some header wrap and then it would just look bussines. Many race teams use that simple practice.

thanx what type of metal piping does everyone use? is it jsut exhaust pipe? or is it soemthng special?

aluminium or SS tube, something that cant rust.

I agree, why be HALF ASS on your car with PVC. Its ghetto and you dont see anyone using PVC for a reason.

I can tell you this, being a Master Plumber, you should not use pvc. It will not tolerate the heat. It WILL melt, whether you get sch. 40 or foamcore, it will still melt. This is one field that I know more about then most of you, so trust me on this one.
Ernie

Yeah, my friend is also a plumber with an RX-7, and we despise PVC in cars.:mad:

If you're going to use steel then use 16 or 18 gauge mild steel like the one they use for header construction and have them tig welded together. You can purchase J and U-bends from Hooker in just about any size needed to make the I/C pipes. Once finished if you want a really cool look have them powder coated.
Now if money is not a problem you could have someone fabricate them out of carbon fibre!:)

crispeed
87TII
9.20@150mph

I agree with not using PVC, its only pressure rated to a certain temperature, which is not that high, its also does not withstand ANY movement when its cold, it cracks like crazy and has to be rigidly clamped..
Fastrotaries: I don't what your electrical code is like there, but here if you got caught taking a torch to conduit grade PVC, you would have your licence revoked, thats why they sell 23,45,90 and 180 degree fittings for it..
Muffler pipings is good cheap way of doing it, I would opt for the aluminized stuff or get it coated afterward..
Food Grade stainless piping is strong, thin wall, and cheap, it can be welded with tig, mig, oxy or stick, however you must purge gas through the piping while welding to prevent drop through and weld contamination, aluminium is nice, but hard to work with, it should be tig welded, I have welded it with oxy but its slow and tough, it can be had from any agricultural irrigation supplier in sizes from 1" to 16".. the fittings are mondo expensive for it though, as compared to mild or stainless steel, I guess you could try copper, but its heavier the hell, and oxidizes quickly..Max