testing waters with silicone rad hoses
 

ok gang, i am talking to a few companies about a group buy on silicone radiator hoses, its a little complicated since they take forever to reply...
but another complication is that there are 3 colors and 3 models available, so tis getting tricky and confeusing...
how many people would be interested? or know they want some...
let me know, i need some help in negotiating so pre interest may help us get a better deal...
thanks
dan

i am ideally trying to stay well below $100 shipped ea kit (NA's and NB's), but its gonna be tough getting there...

what is the reason for these?

I would suggest that you eliminate as many options as possible. IE you can get any of the colors you want, as long as you want black. :)

Why should I get silicone hoses over rubber?

the colors do not make a difference in price, they are all the same (red/blue/BLACK) all made by samco

from what i understand silicone lasts much longer and does not rupture like rubber, its supposed to flow better and resist heat better and you can forget about them failing...ever
if someone has more/better information, please chime in...
ask yourself why people prefere silicone couplers for IC piping over rubber?

I think if you want to run a higher pressure cap, Si hoses are recommended because the higher burst pressure resistance. Something like that.

Silicon is better in every regards other than cost. And dealing with Samco is an unenviable Hell.

Thats why i upgraded my radiator, im sticking with $30 rubber hoses

what do you mean...are they a PITA to buy from or to deal with after the sale for issues

I assumed as much. But to get a friendly group buy price you need to make things easy on the manufacturer/distributor.

In this vein, a group buy I actually would like to see is the Mazdaspeed 1.3 bar radiator cap. The part cost is cheap enough but shipping them in individually from Japan is a biatch.

doesn't obx-r make these already?

im on the same note as you are there, but i figured offering different colors will help us get more people, not just the guys who want silicone for its benefits, but also the guys that are looking to spice up the engine bay at the same time

im in for 60 shipped.

The company I work for used to be the official distributer for most of the world... dealing with them for anything required 6-8 weeks minimum, they refused to increase production based on sales (so high demand products were perpetually on 6-8wk, best case, backorder), they wouldn't produce and stock locally anything so it came down to the distributers to assume all financial risk for stocking items... it was just a nightmare.

We would put in an order, say, for 100 units of a part which would cover our projected sales for 6-8weeks. They would refuse it and decrease the PO down to 50... and take 12 weeks to deliver.

If we can get this going, I'm in.

I'm in. I'd like to get a hose for the coolant reroute too.

thats good to know...thanks man, maybe thats why the distributors take for ever to answer, lol
ill keep picking on them to see how far they are willing to go
so far i got to around $100 shipped, but I want cheaper, much cheaper