Changing engine turbo couplers

[eagleguy]

I am looking to change all five OEM couplers on my T Type to gray silicone ones. I know most of the tube couplers are just for air but in regards to the intercooler which has one single coupler is there fluid present I should be concerned about? If I am wording this wrong I apologize ahead of time. If there is any easy way to do the swap please let me know.

 

[Adam28]

Nope, just air going in those couplers. I took the mounting bolts out of the intercooler so I could move it more easily, but I'm sure everyone does it a little different.

 

[eagleguy]

Nope, just air going in those couplers. I took the mounting bolts out of the intercooler so I could move it more easily, but I'm sure everyone does it a little different.

Yup that looks like it will be the hardest one.
Thanks for the info!

 

[eagleguy]

In looking at many members under hood photos I noticed that when the couplers have been replaced they seem to "bulge" in the middle between the two connecting points. Is this common and / or is there a way to avoid it. My stock ones have no such bulge and the replacement are the silicone ones in red.

 

[dynoman]

The couplers you refer to are probably "hump hose couplers" . They allow you to have a slight misalignment by about 20 degrees without kinking the hose .
http://www.siliconeintakes.com/hump-hose/?osCsid=1c06d7f4b719e8baffd39b43c80dc03a

 

[eagleguy]

The couplers you refer to are probably "hump hose couplers" . They allow you to have a slight misalignment by about 20 degrees without kinking the hose .
http://www.siliconeintakes.com/hump-hose/?osCsid=1c06d7f4b719e8baffd39b43c80dc03a

I do not think so but I could be wrong..

 

[Adam28]

What I think you are seeing is that the silicone hoses fit tighter than the stock ones, so it stretches a little at the ends of whatever is being connected. Then when you clamp down around it the hose it amplifies the effect even more.

 

[texasmr2]

I replaced all of my stock 'couplers - connectors' with silicone replacements as well as replacing the stock 'screw' clamps with t-bolt clamps. As mentioned the 'couplers' with the bulge in the middle allows flex under load which is a good thing, they do not impede flow. A fixed, mounted part such as the IC has no movement, unless soft bushings are used, but the torque of the engine has flex/movement.

Remember that when GN's were still being made it was about two decades before bushings and connectors became a relative thought and concept.

Just my $0.02

 

[The Granny]

1000% agree ^^^ I've blown the intercooler pipe off when using hose clamps so I'd strongly suggest using t-bolts since you're going to be changing out the couplers anyways.

 

[texasmr2]

Like you I blew off a few connecting hoses under boost a few times until I upgraded the hoses and clamps, the learning curve is short and steep, thin ice some say. I am more about function than I am about originality although the market now offers correct color combination if one wants the OE look.

Same goal we share regarding this platform. I often have to remind my father that we now live in the 21st century and not the 20th century, no progress made just noise pollution.

 

[eagleguy]

Couplers came with the bolt type SS clamps. Is there a torque spec for tightening?

 

[The Granny]

Couplers came with the bolt type SS clamps. Is there a torque spec for tightening?

I've never torqued any of my t-bolt clamps to a certain spec, I just snugged them down. But if you wanted to torque to a certain spec you can look up the company that made the clamps and add torque spec to your search query and you might find what you're looking for

 

[dynoman]

I don't torque to any spec , just tight . If you want to figure it out , here is some easy reading , LOL .
http://www.clampco.com/techspec/engineering data specifications.asp
There is a graph at the bottom of the page to make it easier .