I just tried to install the Intercooler Silicone Hoses from FCP and have a few questions regarding these hoses.

First, should I be worried about the excess material in this hose? (first attached photo) This is the hose that has the ‘arm’ running off to the idle control valve:

Second; the hose diameters (all of them) seems to be way too small – almost as if the inner diameter needs to be what the outer diameter is. The blue replacement hose that connects to the intercooler has an inner diameter of 58 mm. I didn’t measure the hose that is installed, but there’s no way its inner diameter is that small. The hose clamp has the following marking:

75
58-75
(Second attached photo)

I'm going to guess that is the "usable" mm range of the clamp. There's not much metal hanging out from under the screw, so that tells me that the hose has an I.D. of 70 mm or so - correct?

I’ve heard that it’s difficult to install silicone hoses because they’re quite tight and don’t stretch at all, but this seems impossible! Has anyone installed this hose kit? Did you have any of these issues?

Third; What's the best way to clean the inside of these new hoses? There's a bit of dust and it doesn't just wipe out easily. Seems to be a static charge kind of bond.

I’m calling FCP to discuss this, but I wanted to reach out and see if I’m the only one with this challenge.

 

Well, here's an update. I was able to use a 50/50 mix of water & dishsoap to get the hoses on. I also had a pair of long tweezers with bent tips to help leverage the hoses in place. It was quite a struggle, but after I got the first hose on I thought I'd be happy in no time.

When I grabbed the second hose to install (the one that connects the intercooler pipe, throttle and idle control), I came to a dead stop. The measurements of the hose is completely wrong, as you'll see in these photos:

http://cid-76421a252c7d8a43.skydrive...GetSharingLink

I'm waiting for FCP to open tomorrow so we can figure out what to do.

Keep ya posted.

 

I would remove that extra silicone if possible. Don't want that going into your engine.

 

Did it before I tried to install the hose. Unfortunately, that's the hose that's completely “out of spec” so it was an unnecessary effort.

 

I'm sure you can still fit it on. It might be hard, but I'm more confident that a tight hose is better then a loose hose. Damn those Chinese.

 

Nope, that idle control hose just won't stretch the additional 1.5 inches it needs to reach!

 

Orrly? o.O That's not good. Cut off part of the old one, get a small piece of pipe and connect the two.

 

lol, I might go 'redneck repair' if they were just regular hoses, but with blue silicone, I want it to look damn good!

 

Well.... just do it! Who cares

 

SO what ever happened with getting this straightened out? I'm thinking about buying those hoses, SO I'd like to know if you got it resolved to your satisfaction or not.

 

I'd call FCP and complain.That hose should def. not have any excess stuff inside the hose.

 

I've been in touch with Mike at FCP. Here's a bit of the e-mails we've exchanged:

> Looks like the vendor is saying that this would be the first they
> heard of an issue. As this product is relatively new to them and us,
> they also said that it is unlikely that a new mold can be made of a
> stock replacement anytime soon. Kind of puts us in a bind, as I do not
> have another vendor or supplier to offer a replacement so what we can
> do is you can return this kit as a defect and we can order up a new
> set, under the premise that you received a damaged unit.

I can't blame FCP for any of this and I'm hoping that they can get proper hoses for us in the near future. It's a shame that this hasn't worked out yet, because I really need some new hoses and this set is just an extra few bucks compared to the regular, non-silicone hoses. I just can't justify 265 bucks for the kit from Stylin' Hoses.

 

You get what you pay for. I have SAMCO radiator hoses, and I can tell you that the difference between those and the silicone hose I have from CX Racing for my front mount feel completely different and I can tell that the SAMCO is actually quality stuff.

Check IPD, pretty sure they now carry an in house brand of silicone hoses.

 

Gilber: the silicone hoses that IPD sells are Samco.

 

Did you look??

IPD

SAMCO

 

NICE! I didnt see that on the website. Thanks man!

 

No problem. One thing I've learned from my build is that some things are OK to go aftermarket for, but some things just aren't, and it's worth it to wait a little longer and spend a little bit more for something of better quality.

 

Are you running the IPD hoses or the samco hoses? Is there anyone whos seen them side by side that knows the difference?

 

I'm running a front mount. For the price of a quality set of silicone intercooler lines you can do a front mount instead.

 

So with a front mount, you didnt feel the need for silicone hoses? And where do you get a front mount that cheap?