Hose clamps

[cj!]

Ross, I recall yesterday you talking about hose clamps. Were the ones on this site like what you were referring too? http://www.enthaily.com/welcome/page42.php

[mightymouse]

For those wondering - cj! and I had a discussion on the "best hose clamps" at Steve's tech day ( see we go beyond motor installs ! ) and I tried to describe "T" Bolt hose clamps..

http://www.toledo.com.au/html/t_bolt.cfm

These are excellent IMO and especially when using silicone hoses as cheap clamps tend not to apply equal pressure around the full 360 Degrees and damage the hose as the sharp edges and through slots tend to damage the underlying hose.

These T Bolt clamps have rolled edges and no slots applying equal pressure to the hose without damaging it. - for boost applications the only professional clamp to use on silicone tube ( and silicone is the way to go ).



Normal hose clamps also come in a variety of qualities, avoid the perforated band clamps - once again they deform the underlying hose and are often quite fragile. http://www.toledo.com.au/html/perforated_band.cfm


Quality solid band are the way to go, although these don't have rolled edges...
http://www.toledo.com.au/html/solid_band.cfm


And for exhausts, "V" band clamps are the way to go but they require machined rings and end up quite expensive. Trucks use them extensively as they are extremely robust and almost seize resistant http://www.clampco.com/products/v-band.asp Many large turbochargers don't have a bolting face on the exhaust discharge, they use a V band mechanism.

They also provide an almost seamless internal join and therefore are excellent for flow.

My opinion only of course......

[gwagensteve]

From memory, Bearing Wholsealers in Thomastown have a very large range of these 'T' clamps.

As an aside Ross, I would like to go to new hoses for the boosted side of my 660's induction system as the hoses I have are a nasty collection of cappuccino and 660 Jimny stuff rubber stuff.

Silicone induction specific hose seems very difficult to get in the size the 660 uses (slightly smaller than drinking straw - about 1.75") but I this seems common enough in silicone radiator hose. Is there likely to be any useful difference between silicone radiator hose and silicone "intercooler hose" and could I therefore use silicone radiator hose for boost on my car?

Steve.

[mightymouse]

Have used silicone radiator hose for dry boost before without any problems.

Looking at the internal braid, I couldn't spot any difference and the internal lining seemed identical. Pressure and temp ratings are also ok.

Personally I don't like to see long runs of hose as its a bit too elastic for my liking, but joins / elbows etc as required don't seem to be an issue. If it were a wet system ( draw through a carb ) - I'd probably give radiator hose a miss, but dry will be fine.

Probably the thing that I dislike most about silicone is that the most commonly used colors are blue and red which IMO don't make for a subtle instalation - although I believe there are paints you can use to de-bling things a bit.

[gwagensteve]

X2. I might try purple pig though to see If I can find something less bling. Blue and Green should never be seen

PS thanks for the tech.

Steve.