ashtons300zx

Since this came up in a couple threads ive seen soo far why not have a thread on the most popular intercooler piping connections, say for you true street guys and Outlaw.

I know the Outlaw guys usually go above the norm when it comes to piping connections.

Post up your piping connections to the turbo, intercooler, and throttle body with the type of coupler, clamps, or any other method you used, Price of the clamps and/or materials.

I personally like to stick with the basics on my car using nice 5 ply reinforced couplers with T-bolt clamps. So far Ive yet to have one pop off with the piping ends flared or even yet show signs of slipping on the pipe. This is at 35+psi from a 67mm turbo.

For the changes im making and the new 6766 and possibly gonna see up to 40psi im thinking about still using the Silicon couplers and T-bolts on the Throttle body, intercooler and compressor outlet and on 2 or 3 other connections in between those using some V-band w/ o-ring connections.

I know there are some that have used v-band connections all around but had issues with boost leaks because of engine movement prying on the connections causing massive leaks under acceleration which is why I'd like to leave the connections on the motor and intercooler silicon couplers and t-bolts to allow for movement.

As we know couplers and t-bolts is probably the most commonly used method and by far the cheapest w/ good couplers ranging from $15-$40 depending on shape, transitions, bends, reduction and so on. Good T-bolt clamps range usually from $5-$10 usually.

Any info reguarding your setup and links where to purchase the clamps and so on are greatly appreciated.

sweetfwdthunder

iTrader: (2)

I'm using t-bolts and 4-ply couplers..lol they do the trick! Eventually I would like to get some of the vibrant clamps. I think one of my next steps will be getting away from the vacuum lines and getting those push-loc fittings for my wastegates/boost controller/bov

ashtons300zx

Yeah, I already have that planned for my setup. It really cleans things up a lot and its really not much more than vac line would cost. You can get a whole good push lock vac line setup for $40 shipped.

Like i said Id like to do a couple vband connections in for the 3 other connections of my piping that you can see in the bay just to clean things up and im sure they hold together much better. From what Ive seen aluminum piping v-band connections w/ orings are roughly $40 a piece or so but really make the bay look better than couplers.

tepid1

I use Hydraflow clamps all around. Got a great deal on them. lol

mkulak

Vibrant 'Jenvan' Clamps!

toddvw

tbolt on the throttle body then hose and tbolts to the intercooler. tbolt off the other side of the intercooler then silicon on the turbo. holds over 40psi no problem.

locash

The other thing to consider is thick wall tubing if you are using t-bolt clamps, so that you dont crush the pipe.. I have a v-band on the outlet of the intercooler, a coupler with t-bolt clamps on thick wall tubing, and an accufab v-band on the throttle body..

HamiltonRex

T bolts and 4 ply couplers. Never an issue, going to change a few out that are really tight in space and tough to slide the coupler off quick.

itspools

I've always ran siliconintakes.com coupler with worm clamps. I hate T-bolts. This new setup is gonna have a Vibrant Vanjen clamp on turbo and FMIC in/out. T/B will have a hump coupler and worm clamps still.

V-SPEC 1

Hargett clamp here and no problem whatsoever.

ashtons300zx

Yeah, all my piping is the thick wall piping. I made sure of that when i bought it. I can tighten the hell out of my t-bolts and not crush the pipes but Ill usually just tighten until it starts to get fairly tight and not overdo it. Thats how ive seen them snap before.

But soo far t-bolts and good couplers seem to do the trick. Like I said ill be doing a couple vband connections instead of welding the cold side into one big long pipe and it looks nice in the bay. The rest i think im just gonna stick with what has worked.

1QwIkEf

iTrader: (5)

I have used hargett clamps and hated them.. my new setup has vanjen clamp on everything

tepid1

Has anybody tried to see if the vanjen ferrules work with wiggins clamps?

sohc95vtec-t

I have Wiggins all around, though maybe thats why my car isnt done yet lol

Garage 808 Hatch

I had the Linder power systems clamp. Hated them. Tighten them by hand, need giant channel locks to take apart. Very fine threads, bleh. Held well. I guess if you never needed to take it apart, they'd be perfect

h2.4

I think any of the decent clamps will work with a bead rolled pipe and good alignment. We've had compound turbo'd diesels with tbolts with no problems. With compound setups they're goin 70psi+. Just use good hump couplers when needed if not using solid mounts.

Divers

I like the vibrant vanjen clamps although some are extremely hard to get together, but they yeild lots of movement. Have had bad luck with v-band connections due to engine movement. I also dont like t-bolt on the throttle body. Most TB's are cast and I've seen customers over clamp the t-bolt and crack the throttle body.

dturbocivic

x2 i wanna know

Universal Magnetic

Hondoctors

I agree with the t-bolt clamps with thick wall tubing, as well as good pipe fitment. Another thing that nobody mentioned, is to never clamp a pipe on a radius. I always make my pipes with a straight section in the silicone coupler, with a weld just outside the coupler. That way you also eliminate boost leaks. Start the radius of the pipe outside of the coupler. That way you get the pipe strength that won't crush when the t-bolt clamp is fully tightened, and it won't leak any boost.

Jarrod