The the oil pan doesn't move, the head doesn't move, the mani doesn't move, so why would the turbo move. Why not a solid oil return line?

-Dustin

 

Well, why not flexible?

 

I guessing it has something to do with engine vibration...

 

It's just because a flexable line is much easier to make and put on.

 

I am going to use solid then. I will reinforce turbo mountings to make up for any vibration. Estimated cost of return line: $15 with 9 feet of tubing to spare.

-Dustin

 

actually your motor does rock back and forth!!!!(unless you have solid motor mounts) or some inserts to calm things down.

 

i know the guys at Revhard on there race car use a solid line. It comes down and welded direct to the pan

 

Yes, the motor does move, but the head, oil pan, turbo etc dont move in relation to each other, rather the motor moves in relation to the car.

 

flex lines work just as good the steal braided ones i sell in my kits gets the job done i wouldnt run a solid line at least on my car the roads up here suck imagine hitting a pot hole fast and snappin the return line b00m doesnt take long for all the oil to pump out also id feel sorry for the car behind u as the oil slick covers the road. lol

 

You are right, but the exhaust manifold and turbo assembly contracts with the excessive heating that your engine does not get. It also acts as a "moment arm" which will vibrate at a resonance frequency. The solid line would be cracked quickly by this resonance vibration. Only use flexible or use a "flex pipe" that looks like an accordian.

Randy

 

Factory turbo cars use hard lines, and a lot of hot-rodded DSMs still use them. i don't see any problems. If engine vibration was that much of a problem, all the hard lines on the motor would break such as the PCV and valve cover vent. As long as you connect them with rubber hose and clamps at the end they will still flex enough.

 

sweet pooo, this is gonna be cheap. I can save about $90 by not using earls fittings. Now for the mani....

-Dustin

 

Stock DSM's have flexible accordian drain lines, not solid, FYI.

You are right though, if he uses flexible couplings, he can use solid pipe. He is just doubling his chance of leaks (twice as many sealing points).

Randy

 

I've seen many big tractors, 18 wheelers. etc. and I believe they all use hard lines for oil returns (with no flex tubing or pipes). I'm sure a big diesel gets lots of vibration, so I don't see why it wouldn't work. I may go this route on my next turbo car.

 

That's odd because I saw them with a hardline not long ago. Maybe it was from another car and I got confused. I'm pretty much permanently confused so that wouldn't surprise me

 

MANY factory turbo cars and trucks use hard lines for oil feed and return. I'm working on a 1982 MBZ 300TD and it has hard lines in and out of the turbo. They've been on there for 20 years and I assure you that engine vibrates like hell, and there are no leaks on it.