Other materials for intake tubing?

[John_D.]

Ok, I have the angled tb on my '98, and it is gonna be difficult to improve on the intake hose. I've seen the dryer vent approach, and I like the 4" straight through, no silencer, no crimps, and not hitting the fans.

But I also want a more hi-tech look, and a more durable material so I don't have to worry about dirt or anything else getting in there, since it is after the filter. So I'm brainstorming, trying to think of alternatives.

Maybe clear Tyvek tubing? (that would look trick, especially with a clear lid!)

Firehose? (probably not, it collapses).

Hose used for water lines for those big plastic ponds?

Any other ideas? It has to be something that won't crimp making that s-bend.

Sources for 4" Tyvek without having to buy an entire 100' roll? I've been prowling around in yahoo search, but haven't stumbled onto anything yet.

[blue_98_camaro]

When this question is answeredI think Ill go out to the garage and do it myself, I HATE that damn box that sits in there now.

[John_D.]

Any more ideas out there on alternative materials and sources?

Even if it is a specialty material, I figure if enough people want it, we could buy a roll and divide it up.

I've even considered those braided flexible tubes used for exhaust on some cars (no, not "flexpipe"!) The part from the y-pipe to the cat, if you've ever seen those.

[ April 07, 2002: Message edited by: John_D. ]</p>

[Firebrd9783]

off topic but where did everyone get the idea for the dyer vent? I got some of that stuff about 3 months ago to hook up my FIPK, and now I hear other people doing it, I posted a topic that said something about it, is everying getting it from me?

Just wondering, but I wouldn't recomend it because I feel alot better putting a rubber tube, it creats less turbulance. I'm getting a 1Le elbow to replace it, should get it this week, but I bet it will be alot better then the dryer duct and probly worth the $70 I paid for it and look alot better and more professional.

[Jeff Pristelski]

I have done the dryer duct routine and it had noticable gains especially at higher rpms...

dryer duct...

However, a much better idea would be simply connecting a 4" cone filter directly to the TB. Granted, it wouldn't be a CAI, but it also wouldn't have to flow through like 3 feet of tubing with bends in it, so the intake air velocity should be very high.

[John_D.]

Firebrd9783 - I joined this board about 3 months ago, and I probably saw your initial post when I was getting acquainted with everything on here.

Jeff - I printed a copy of your picture, probably the same day you first posted it. Looking at the car, I never would have figured anything would fit as good as it does. That side view is what got me thinking that it might be possible to put something on there after all. Also I wouldn't have guessed that the oval outlet on the lid was the same circumference as a 4" round, until seeing what everyone was trying with the 98's.

The trick will be getting something thin enough that it doesn't kink, and thick enough to be sturdy.

[RaVeN1469]

John: I went and got some heavy duty all aluminum dryer duct yesterday, it's very sturdy. It looks good until it getts all wrinkled up from trying to make the bend. What ever you look for it had better bend good and be able to go to the oval at the other end. I'll try get a pic of mine to see if you like the look.

Firebrd9783: I don't think I got the idea from you, maybe though. A while ago in some free air mod post I was complaining about my air silencer and the stupid angle it has and someone said they used it. Can't remember who though.

Jeff: Thats almost exactly what mine looks like. Thats a real good idea with the sensor. You don't have any problems with it that way? If you just put a filter on your TB what would you do with the sensor? Also do you have a problem with your duct getting really hot? mine does and I'm sure it's not doing me any good.

[John_D.]

Another idea!

The tubing used by garages, to put over the tailpipe to route the exhaust to the outside. You can get ends, Y's, T's, elbows, connectors, all kinds of stuff.

Does anybody know if it will bend enough? Are there different grades? One that is thinner than another?

You know it has to handle heat...

[John_D.]

Here's what I got so far.

http://www.ihozs.com

GS
The BEST HIGH TEMPERATURE HOSE: Under Hood Turbo Ducting, Race car brake cooling duct, or driver compartment duct. Double ply for more rugged service.

A double-ply mandrel made hose for maximum strength at high temperatures. The narrow pitch allows for tight bending radius while maintaining smooth flow characteristics. SIZE RANGE: 2" THRU 6"

Reinforcement: Spring steel wire
Wall Material: Double ply of silicone coated fiberglass fabric.
Temp Range: -65 F to +550 F
Bending Radius: 2.8” for the 4" i.d.

$90 for 6 feet. $30 for a 2’ section, if you shared with 2 other people.

T-7
DURABLE CONSTRUCTION...Leaf Collection and Lawn Vacs...Venting Systems...Fume Removal...Air Intakes...Carwash Blowers...Dust Collection...Communication Dish Conduit. A great general purpose flexible ducting product.

Black with yellow exterior wearstrip, Resistant to ozone, UV rays, and Weathering, Flexible, Compressible, Wide temperature range.

Reinforcement: Spring Steel Wire Helix
Wall Material: Medium weight Santoprene(R) a thermoplastic rubber
Temp Range: -50 F to +275 F
Bending Radius: 3.2” for the 4" i.d.

$50 for 10 feet. $10 for a 2’ section, if you shared with 4 other people.

[ April 07, 2002: Message edited by: John_D. ]</p>

[EyeOutThere]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by John_D.:
[QB]Here's what I got so far.

http://www.ihozs.com

GS
The BEST HIGH TEMPERATURE HOSE: Under Hood Turbo Ducting, Race car brake cooling duct, or driver compartment duct. Double ply for more rugged service.

A double-ply mandrel made hose for maximum strength at high temperatures. The narrow pitch ...[QB]<hr></blockquote>

nice find! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

how about this:
http://www.ihozs.com/applshow.cfm?ID...TOKEN=80437996

[John_D.]

Thanks! It may take a while, but I am going to find something to put on my car.

The clear hose would definitely be different. I ran across that after I made the earlier post, saw it in the vacuum section. Says it will handle wood chips flying through it, so it would probably hold up ok. Only downside is it has a lower temp rating (160), so it might get brittle under the hood after a while.

I have a question in the mail to another company about totally clear hose too, trying to find out if it will bend, and if they will sell short sections.

[black98V6]

well I have been considering going to the silicone turbo tubing with a whisper lid.. everytime I get ready to buy a lid and start looking for some kind of tubing budget falls through.. I will proaby wind up doing the commercial dryer tubing like ya'll have..

[John_D.]

Well, the other company didn't pan out, they only go up to 3.5" i.d., not 4".

Black98v6 - Are you talking about the same silicon turbo tubing at ihozs? Or do you know of any other place cheaper, or that sells it in 2' lengths?

[MustangEater8251]

They have rubber drainage tubing at home depot, i use it to connecto my PVC piping to the TB, and to my filter on my setup. They do not make long tubes of it, but you 3800 guys do not need much tubing. Its also flexible.

[Shadly]

Does it matter that these aren't rigid? Flexible tubing will flex and contort as bumps are hit. It will also expand and contract as internal air pressures change. Will this have any affect on performance, such as surging?