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Flexible metal hose for lower radiator?

Old Oct 18, 2008 | 08:00 PM
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Default Flexible metal hose for lower radiator?

Since I have power steering and AC, it's going to be tight getting my intercooler pipe down the hot side, so figured I would get rid of all that metal radiator hose with two rubber hoses connected to the lower radiator and go with a flexible stainless braided of some sort...any recommendations? Also, anyone happen to know the diameter of the connections offhand? Thanks.

was thinking about something like this:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Old Oct 18, 2008 | 08:03 PM
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begi makes a niece piece to get around that stuff.
Old Oct 18, 2008 | 09:09 PM
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Use this NAPA hose:




ok...now back to my sexually demanding wife.
Old Oct 18, 2008 | 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Braineack
Use this NAPA hose:




ok...now back to my sexually demanding wife.

+1, just go to your local parts store and get a rubber flex hose.
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Old Oct 18, 2008 | 10:48 PM
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Nice, thanks!
Old Oct 19, 2008 | 12:27 AM
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Ben happened across an NB lower hose that looked like it would work nicely.
Old Oct 19, 2008 | 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by levnubhin
+1, just go to your local parts store and get a rubber flex hose.
+2. That's what I did.
Old Oct 19, 2008 | 02:42 PM
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Thanks...I went to Advance Auto and bought a $12 flex hose like the one pictured above: 1.25" X 20" fit PERFECT...I did use some worm clamps on it instead of the stock spring clamps just because I didn't want to chance the spring clamps being tight enough.
Old Jan 2, 2011 | 03:30 PM
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Are you guys replacing the entire lower hose - two hoses and solid metal pipe section ?
Old Jan 2, 2011 | 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by poobs
Are you guys replacing the entire lower hose - two hoses and solid metal pipe section ?
Yes, ditch the 2 hoses and metal pipe and put in the flex hose.
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Old Jan 2, 2011 | 03:43 PM
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Cool! That is a good option !
Old Jan 2, 2011 | 05:47 PM
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I know this is an ugly pic, but its the only one I have of the hose, its my upper, but you can cut them to any length and its working very well for me. I got it from summit, I believe its stainless steel.

[IMG][/IMG]
Old Jan 2, 2011 | 06:25 PM
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The one issue with piping like that, is it's going to be a bitch to bleed all the air out. I would personally use smooth piping as much as possible. Go get a AN fitting welded onto your radiator and run a big -6 line or something.
Old Jan 2, 2011 | 07:18 PM
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When I switched to bigger intercooler pipes, I needed more space.

So I got one of the FM lower silicone hoses


Last edited by viperormiata; Jan 2, 2011 at 07:29 PM.
Old Jan 2, 2011 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by viperormiata
When I switched to bigger intercooler pipes, I needed more space.

So I got one of the FM lower silicone hoses

Yeah I want that hose too but I also want to try the Gates
Flex-Form FF251 to see if it fits and is cheaper
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 01:10 AM
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Originally Posted by falcon
The one issue with piping like that, is it's going to be a bitch to bleed all the air out. I would personally use smooth piping as much as possible. Go get a AN fitting welded onto your radiator and run a big -6 line or something.
-6 is smaller than an oil cooler line
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 02:03 AM
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Originally Posted by poobs
Yeah I want that hose too but I also want to try the Gates
Flex-Form FF251 to see if it fits and is cheaper
I was skeptical at first but the form/fitment is flawless and it's only 40 bucks.

Plus it looks really clean down there next to all my dirty ****, lol.
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