Thread: silicone turbo hoses

If the current hoses are in good working order, why change them?

I noticed a slight improvement with silicon hoses. I only changed because 1 of the hoses developed a bubble. I’ve noticed no difference to fuel economy, and the power increase was only slight - maybe 5% at best going uphill. My biggest improvement before my remap was putting in a D2a intercooler in my D2 TD5

Originally Posted by Bohica

If the current hoses are in good working order, why change them?

I have read several times that silicone hoses are better and lot of owners have put them on his car as improvment. I also have some doubts if these are really making improvment so this is why I have asked opinions.

The standard hoses do fail, the inside delaminates. The silicon hoses do not. I cannot see that there would be any performance differences between the standard hose and the silicon hose. If and when your hoses fail then you can decide between silicon hose or standard hose. Myself, I would leave the standard hose on until it failed, and then see what the prices are.

Julian

Originally Posted by Bohica

The standard hoses do fail, the inside delaminates. The silicon hoses do not. I cannot see that there would be any performance differences between the standard hose and the silicon hose. If and when your hoses fail then you can decide between silicon hose or standard hose. Myself, I would leave the standard hose on until it failed, and then see what the prices are.

Julian

The difference in performance notices is probably when they are comparing the original DELANMINATED hose performance to fitting a new silicon hose. Has anyone really done a real test of a comparision of a NEW Genuine hose to a New Silicon hose?

I replaced my original hose because I could feel them swell very slightly when the engine was revved. They were actually in good shape with no splits or delamination.

My test was not done on a dyno, but was just an observation of my speed up a long, local hill dozens of time before and after the change.

I am confident that there was no change at all in performance, economy, turbo lag or anything else.

However that may be because I fitted black silicone hoses. I have been told the red ones are faster.

So I am convinced that if your hoses are good, silicone hoses won't make any difference.

Originally Posted by vnx205

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However that may be because I fitted black silicone hoses. I have been old the red ones are faster.

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And green ones give you lower blow by and therefore emissions!

There won't be any power difference, there can't be, boost levels aren't changed, silicone is just a bit more reliable. (And looks pretty, if you are into colours!)