Radiator Hose vs. Mandrel Piping
 

What (dis)advantages are there to using Radiator Hose instead of Mandral Piping for Charge lines from the turbo. Radiator Hose is cheaper/more easily available and can be bent more easily through tight spaces and w/o welding. It also is strong enough to stand up to a Boiling Hot/High pressure cooling system, so Charge pressure should not really be a problem (as long as your not running like 20 PSI of boost) So why don't more people use it???

Re:Radiator Hose vs. Mandrel Piping
 

It's looks ghetto, and you can't always get the right size/length hose. And the biggest deterrent for me was that I saw a DSM car in the junkyard with a big gaaping rip on the stock rubber hose that connects to the turbo intake.

Re:Radiator Hose vs. Mandrel Piping
 

They are great. I'm using some that go from the turbo, and down to the intercooler, but I've wrapped it up with exhaust wrap to make it clean, and the rest of it is mandrel bends back up to the throttle body.. of course using radiator hoses as couplers and clamping them down. People say that they flex, but I'm using some thick stuff.

Re:Radiator Hose vs. Mandrel Piping
 

there isnt any disadvatages, except haters who call you ghetto.

dont be a follower ;D

Re:Radiator Hose vs. Mandrel Piping
 

the disadvantage is that THEY'RE ------- EXPENSIVE.

getting 2 1/2 or 3inch radiator hose is ------- expensive. its cheaper to have a exhaust shop make some pipes for you. it was some bullshit like 30 bucks for 3inch hose that was only 2 feet long when i tried to buy some.

Re:Radiator Hose vs. Mandrel Piping
 

Yeah... I was thinking about using "Crush" bent Piping (like a muffler shop uses, instead of Mandrel) but I think all of those bends will start to restrict flow.

Re:Radiator Hose vs. Mandrel Piping
 

crush bend piping isn't that bad assuming that the bend isn 't too sharp..

if its like a 90 degree bend then yeah, but usually a smaller angel wont crush it too much.

Re:Radiator Hose vs. Mandrel Piping
 

TRUE, I ended up spending 40 bucks on radiator hoses alone... but it's worth it now.

Re:Radiator Hose vs. Mandrel Piping
 

A dr pep i have the same turbo as you now i'm woundering how can i lower the boost to around 5 or 6psi like yours?

It would be great if you can help me out....

I'm new to this turbo stuff...



Thanx

Re:Radiator Hose vs. Mandrel Piping
 

If you get it for cheap and it works, go for it.