imported_ElvaSoShexai

couple questions

how many people here use aluminum for intercooler piping?

if you do, did you make sure the ends of the pipes were beaded/rolled to prevent couplers from popping off?

if you didn't roll/bead them did you have any problems with couplers popping off? and how long have you had the aluminum piping setup for?

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

i don't for a couple of reasons. #1 heat soak, #2 longevity (aluminium cracks easily, and since the intercooler piping goes from engine, to chassis, back to engine, there is a lot of stress and vibration on the intercooler pipes)... and no my steel piping is not beaded at the ends, and I haven't had any pipes pop off yet.

imported_ElvaSoShexai

i've read AL is the optimum material for IC piping tho...

and isn't that what hump hoses are for? preventing the stress of vibration and preventing cracking?

whoops, i meant to ask if there were ppl that used AL and did roll/bead and if there were ppl that used AL and didn't roll/bead

brianmcgaugh

Aluminum has a higher thermal conductivity so decreased IAT, lighter, less risk of corosion...
the down side to aluminum is the fab. and they can be AL bends can be a bit more
as for having the ends bead rolled its not nessecarry just get decent couplers (or even rad hose works excellent) and t-bolts.
you wont have pipes blow off.
but if your really consirned that they will just take a pair of pliers to the end of the pipes. might sound getto but it'll do