Hey guys.

Those of you who have been tuning for a long time know that the most popular turbo inlets are silicon hoses. Being very maticulous, i like to explore all possible routes.

So currently, i have only seen two types of aftermarket turbo inlets: hose and pipe (pipe i believe is more recent).

These are the items i'm looking at:
Pipes (they're all basically the same, this is just an example)
http://www.jscspeed.com/wrx/turbo/ap_gda_inlet.htm (http://www.jscspeed.com/wrx/turbo/ap_gda_inlet.htm)

Hoses:
Perrin: Perrin Turbo Inlet Hose Subaru WRX 02-07 STI 04+ (http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9385{1}1)
Gimmick: Import Image Racing Webstore - SUBARU - WRX/STi 2002-2007 - Combo deals!! - Bolt On Parts Combo's - Gimmick Turbo inlet + Aftermaf Hose Blue Combo! (http://importimageonline.com/imageprint/gimmick-turbo-inlet-aftermaf-hose-blue-combo-/product_info.php/products_id/2172?osCsid=036c303543cb487658bba0c4e3e65d1e)
Samco: http://www.oakos.com/Merchant2/merch...uct_Code=TB997 (http://www.oakos.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TB997)

-im open to suggestions for other productshttp://www.toronto-subaru-club.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif


1. I read about the hoses is that they collapse under high suction. is this true?

2. Most hoses taper from their 3" diameter before the inlet, whereas the pipes are 3" all the way to the inlet itself (except for the APS one, but it only tapers slightly), and only then there is a single silicone coupler that tapers to the inlet diameter. Although the abrupt change in diameter at the inlet may be more restrictive than a gradually tapering hose.

3. The pipes are steel (which has greater heat capacity), which may cause for increased heatsoak as the pipe gets hotter and retains its temperature - and, mind you, it is in a pretty hot spot right above the block.

4. Is the silicone surface smoother?


hope that you guys can help me. all help/info/suggestions/questions/reccomendations are appreciated!

thanks,
-alex

If you're going to a larger turbo, the pipes are a huge pain in the ass to install, but alot of the hoses are said to collapse.

Perrins new model has metal reinforcement so it wont collapse. Id go with that one.

The perrin was the origional one to have the issues, which according to Xrocket has been fixed with metal reinforcement. I personally will be going with samco. they are mesh reinforced and I have no seen anyone ever complain about them. Plus I like the hookups on the samco better then that of the perrin unit.

As far as heat, yes the silicone hoses will be cooler however i have been told it is marginal effect as the air charge still hasn't gone through the intercooler yet.

T

I cut my perrin down the middle when it started collapsing, and glued in a section of metal pipe.

No more problems :)

Duncan

i have the perrin hose on an Fpgreen turbo with cosworth heads on an 04 sti engine and so far have not had any problems with it collasping. btw its alot easier to get a hose in place over a pipe. but its still a biatch no matter what haha

My APS inlet pipe install was the single most unpleasant install I've ever done, on any car. The silicone hoses are said to be much better in that regard. Considering how little you'd be giving up in gains by choosing the hose over the pipe, I'd recommend silicone. However, if you're planning to do other mods requiring removal of the intake manifold (TGVs, etc.) go with the hard pipe and do it all at once. My APS inlet will be sold with the car. There is no way I'm going to do that to myself again.

Don't bother with an inlet unless required. Gains aren't worth the cost/install trouble.

Aps all the way.

the hard pipes are very hard and involved to install
IMHO, the silicone ones are fine until you start to go with a very big turbo 35r+

At which point it's just silly to not rotate.

I disagree on the gains, I haven't seen any conclusive tests though.