SILICONE HOSES FAQ & INFORMATION

Most companies use very pliable materials, which require less "work" to form end products. The materials we use are unlike any other material on the market today. We are the only MFG. to not use any automated process. Each hose is hand crafted and some designs are very time consuming. Due to the special nature of our material, specialized tooling is required to form the materials. This in turn gives you a product that holds less pressure when under high temperatures.

Thicker 4ply+ hoses can be worse in most cases. There is no added value in burst pressure, heat rating etc... unless the same reinforcement is used. Most manufacturers use a very low quality raw materials, which forces them to make their hoses thicker in order to hold it's form/shape. Thick hoses often have leak issues from the clamping force needed to compress the hose. Also, they are not as pliable which makes them extremely difficult to install, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS to cut and remove from any application. The majority of manufacturers machine process their hoses, it provides them a cost effective method to mass produce hoses using polyester fabric, aramid, nomex, nylon and cheaper commercial grade silicone to compensate for "quality " silicone integrity. Any structural and high pressure application should have fiberglass centers. Below are an examples of different brands of silicone hoses.

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This is a brand new 4 ply (layer) hose that has never been installed. Notice the polyester fabric coming off. Furthermore, the outside (black layer) and the inside (blue layer) are of different quality. Good quality silicone should have a deep color and not a dull appearance. Many manufacturers use two different materials therefore reducing manufacturing costs and performance in the long term.

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This 3.5" ID hose is also new. Notice the material used throughout. Good silicone hoses should have a smooth finish and the "wrap" should be minimal. Special bends, such as 90 Degree and alike, that are over 4"ID will always be 4 ply fiberglass to support the bend.

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This is one of our customer's old hoses. As you can see this hose has a different inside lining and also a poor quality wrap and dull finish. Also, if you look closely, the lining has started to deteriorate due to the polyester lining absorbing extra fuel and oils. The polyester lining will ultimately swell and cause the hose to expand and weaken.

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This is our 2 ply silicone wrapped fiberglass. The deep color is very evident and consistent with the inside layer. Also, the fiberglass lining is very clean. The craftsmanship of hand wrapping silicone is unsurpassed on the outside layer.

Good quality Silicone is apparent from the richness of the color. Some manufacturers use two different types of silicone; one for the exterior and one for the interior. If your hose was not specifically made for coolant or oil use, it usually means a lower quality material has been substituted. However, there are special linings that are for coolant and oil applications. Silicone also has an adhesive quality on the exterior layer.

Our hoses can have handled over 1000 degree F. in one hour increments and 600 degree F. continuously for 168 hours (1 week) . The majority of other manufactures will fall somewhere in the 300 degree F. to 550 degree F. maximum range.

A small amount of rubbing alcohol , WD-40 or soap with warm water and just wipe. We recommend using the WD-40 for grease marks.

A thicker hose is often mistaken for a stiffer hose. The reinforcement will ultimately determine the tensile strength/temperature rating and has very little to do with the thickness of the hose. Some manufacturers may add filler to the silicone for added rigidity, but it will not have nearly the tensile strength/heat resistance of fiberglass.

Any connector for force induced applications should fit like a surgical glove and be snug.

Clamping force isn't the only reason hoses blow off during high boost and/or vibration of engine. Proper length, correct installation of hoses/piping, correct alignment of piping (pipes should be free of stress), beaded pipe ends, correct type of hose (hump hose) tensile strength of part and overall condition of the hose all contribute to the stability of intercooler/turbo connections. Also, over torque of clamps will cause damage to the hoses and oval aluminum piping. We recommend either Constant-Torque Clamps and Spring loaded T-bolt clamps that self adjust during thermal expansion and/or contraction on the compressor outlet.

Silicone has a much higher temperature yield. Silicone wrapped with fiberglass will have an even higher temperature yield (500 to 600dg F.) than normal grades of commercial silicone wrapped with other materials. One of the benefits of good silicone under high temperature is its increased adhesion properties to metal under high temperature. Although minute, this will reduce the possibilities of pressure/boost loss. Also, radiator hoses are cooled from the direct transfer of coolant/water which allow the hoses to have a longer life. Direct transfer of compressed air coupled with "operating" temperatures (under hood temperatures) will dramatically shorten the life span of radiator hoses forcing them to have seam cracks and stiffen to the point that clamps have very little clamping pressure on the hose. Radiator style hoses also expand under load. We have had our customers watch their new radiator style hoses expand while only under 8 psi. Under real operating temperatures, the hoses will expand even further and boost loss will occur. Our diesel truck application of 35+psi have loss an average of 10+ psi when under load while using radiator type hoses.

Spring Loaded T-Bolts are best use at the compressor outlet. This is one of the most likely places that hoses, pipes etc...come flying off when under "heavy" boost. Our heavy duty spring loaded t-bolts adjust to the expansion/contraction of the hose/piping is under tremendous strain from boost pressure and temperature.

Most silicone hoses (depending on reinforcement material) handle 20 to over 200 psi at non-operating temperature. However, when a hose is under operating temperature the burst rating diminishes by over 50% depending on the temperature the hose is subject to. Another factor to consider is the diameter and length of the hose. The larger the diameter, the longer the hose, the less burst resistance it will have when under heat combined with pressure.

Example: 2"ID x 3"L can have a burst rating of 20 to nearly 250psi at non-operating temperature.

Our 3 1/2"ID x 6"L and 4"ID x 6"L have been tested to exceed 65+psi at full operating temperature (250 deg f.)

Our specially formulated material is much more difficult to use on smaller circumferences, therefore taking more time than larger hoses.

The average silicone hose will have a heat tolerance of less than 320 d f. At 15 psi, the air temperature out of the turbo is 300 d. Having a hose near the turbo and exhaust manifold will yield even higher external and internal temps.

An ideal set up would include the use of one hump hose on each pipe after the turbo charger. Hump hoses allow for free play of the piping between the engine and an intercooler that is mounted solidly to the body of the car. The free play allows the stress to be taken off the intercooler end tanks.