1995 Civic EX Coupe with JDM B20b, Integra LS manual transmission.80k miles on engine.

Recently purchased this car and that the seller put together. He use this radiator: https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Perf.../dp/B00EUJZ7UA
and TT Racing silicone hoses. After reading alot about silicone hoses I want to replace them with OEM rubber hoses. The radiator shows 1.25" inlet and outlet. Are the B20 fittings made for 1.25" or other size radiator hoses? Heater and throttle body hoses are rubber and don't need replacement. Does the B20 use the same size hoses as D-series engines?

I read that silicone hoses:
Allow 10-15% more water loss through permeation than rubber hoses
Need inner ring style clamps to prevent tearing
Can slip off easier
More likely to leak at connections

 

Most of the aluminum radiators have the larger B series main hose inlets. Even if the motor side inlet is the size of a d-series, the clamp is more than able to make up for it. Most people have no issues putting b-series main hoses on their D series motor when they install the aluminum radiator.

You spelled out the cons of the silicone hoses.

The pros are:

• They handle higher temperatures without failing (excellent for turbo applications)
• They last a lot longer than EPDM rubber (EPDM rubber should be replaced every 4-5 years tops)
• They handle higher pressures.

Each type of hose has it's pros and cons. Silicone you have to top up your radiator once in awhile but don't have to worry about replacing them every 4 years. Once you have silicone situated, you are pretty much done for quite a long time. Getting them dialed in can be hard and they do tear pretty easily.

 

I would get the hose for the yr civic and lube up the end that will go into the b20.

 

I read to fill radiator with distilled water instead of 50/50 when loss occurs using silicone hoses

 

I wouldn't. I don't like to put anything less than 50/50 in my system. I will just top up occasionally while keeping the temp specs of the fluid.

No different than checking and topping up oil.

 

Some people stated that loss during permeation of silicone hoses was water only and the thicker and more viscous antifreeze does not escape. Sounds plausible

I found a this site: http://www.global-hose.com/silicone-hose-clamps which shows three hose clamps for silicone hoses and wondering which it the best option.

 

I think T bolt clamps are the ones used with the flex silcone hoses Tony posted about so I suspect they provide more suface area contact to keep the hose tight.

 

Thanks. May do that. Still debating to switch out.