VF Supercharged Upper Radiator Hose Information

[m3f_omairtheman1]

M3F,


Yet again I am plagued with the stress of having a cooling system issue.


I went ahead and replaced everything in my cooling system and now I find a small leak along the joint where the metal VF cooling pipe meets the shitty rubber hoses that VF sells you.


I called VF and they want $180.00 for that stupid metal center hose with rubber ends attached to it!


I feel like the metal portion is probably in good shape and I can get away with replacing the end rubber pieces.


Question is as follows: Can I hack up a stock OE upper radiator hose and make it work with the metal tube portion supplied by VF? Will the ID and the OD of the hose and metal piece work?


I've attached a pic in question.







Thanks for all your help.

[m3f_deboM3]

I'd go to the local parts store, and ask to poke around in the hose section. I'm sure you could find something that would work much cheaper

[m3f_Braymond141]

Can you hack up an OE hose...


Certainly looks like that's what VF did. Why don't you just do it and find out. This isn't terribly hard to solve and so few people here have any experience with this. You're more of the expert on the VF kit. For the record though I have a hard time believing that their hoses are the issue. Replace the clamps or inspect the metal tube first. If it looks like they used aftermarket hose, buy OE and cut the same way.


Do not use local parts store hoses. Stick with the OE stuff first.

[m3f_pbonsalb]

I don't know whether the VF pipe has a lip or not, but if it does not, you could consider having it beadrolled or buying a connector pipe with a lip -- maybe Vibrant sells one that would be the right length or maybe someone else does. If you think the hose is the issue, buy a new one and cut to fit as Braymond suggests. You could also try a different style clamp, but normally the standard clamps work fine for radiator hoses.

[m3f_deboM3]

Do not use local parts store hoses. Stick with the OE stuff first.

Do you really think there's a difference in rubber or something?



I suggested a parts store (NAPA,etc) as they have a wall of pre formed hoses. In stock, if this needs a special bend that the OEM hose can't duplicate, whats wrong with hacking up NAPA hose or two?

[m3f_LockDots]

Do you really think there's a difference in rubber or something?



I suggested a parts store (NAPA,etc) as they have a wall of pre formed hoses. In stock, if this needs a special bend that the OEM hose can't duplicate, whats wrong with hacking up NAPA hose or two?

I think what he meant was cheap no-name brand hoses. Rein is an OE so if they have that it's not a bad idea. When I got my Rein hoses from my local parts store they actually still had the BMW emblems on them.

[m3f_Braymond141]

Do you really think there's a difference in rubber or something?



I suggested a parts store (NAPA,etc) as they have a wall of pre formed hoses. In stock, if this needs a special bend that the OEM hose can't duplicate, whats wrong with hacking up NAPA hose or two?

No I do not think that at all. Why don't you read what I wrote again.

[m3f_omairtheman1]

OK. I Ordered a mock up URO hose and an OE hose to perfect the design.


Let's see how this ends up! I am excited.

[m3f_omairtheman1]

Worked out FANTASTIC! Better than VF ever intended it to look. I am very happy!


Thank you all!

[m3f_LockDots]

I'd ask for pictures but it probably looks exactly the same, doesn't it?

[m3f_omairtheman1]

I'd ask for pictures but it probably looks exactly the same, doesn't it?

Yes. Not worth the upload.

[m3f_omairtheman1]

This started leaking. Going to take it apart check what's going on. Will update.

[m3f_omairtheman1]

Round two. These clamps cost 10 dollars each. If they don't hold, I don't know what will. I have contacted custom hose manufacturer and I'm going to get something made that will be able to handle 300 PSI if worst comes to worst.


Will update in 2k miles.