These coolant hoses a good idea? Available?
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
These coolant hoses a good idea? Available?
In an article by Scott Mueller, on the LT1 coolant system, he says that an option on Caprice police are with the Lt1 was SEO 1T1 (silicone radiator and heater hoses. Apparently, in police service these were intended to last the life of the car. They also included special clamps with a full perimeter band to minimize hose distortion and potential hose damage by the clamp itself.
That sounds like a GREAT idea. Is it, or are there any drawbacks?
Are hoses like that available for our C4s? If so, where?
Jim G
That sounds like a GREAT idea. Is it, or are there any drawbacks?
Are hoses like that available for our C4s? If so, where?
Jim G
#3
Race Director
$162 seems a little steep for some radiator hoses...
http://www.summitracing.com/search/d...adiator%20hose
http://www.summitracing.com/search/d...adiator%20hose
#4
$162 seems a little steep for some radiator hoses...
http://www.summitracing.com/search/d...adiator%20hose
http://www.summitracing.com/search/d...adiator%20hose
Better deal here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151038502126...84.m1423.l2649
#5
The Summit linked are LT5 packages and shouldn't be confused with the "topic"! I don't know if Summit actually does the L98 and the LT1/4 packages.
There's also "no branding" on the eBay product.The LT5 product is Mishimoto and the Mishimoto brand is generally accepted as a quality product. No first hand knowledge!
There's also "no branding" on the eBay product.The LT5 product is Mishimoto and the Mishimoto brand is generally accepted as a quality product. No first hand knowledge!
Last edited by WVZR-1; 08-22-2013 at 07:07 AM.
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
WVZR-1 raises a good point. Just like there are quality weatherstrips and cheap weatherstrips, there are probably quality hoses and cheap hoses.
The owner of the Corvette shop in Albuquerque (Scotty's), whom I met yesterday while on my road trip, spoke for several minutes with me yesterday specifically about how bad the cheaper weatherstrips are: leak in rain, doors don't close properly unless you slam (the "rubber" is too hard), windows don't roll up right, etc.
Jim G
The owner of the Corvette shop in Albuquerque (Scotty's), whom I met yesterday while on my road trip, spoke for several minutes with me yesterday specifically about how bad the cheaper weatherstrips are: leak in rain, doors don't close properly unless you slam (the "rubber" is too hard), windows don't roll up right, etc.
Jim G
#7
WVZR-1 raises a good point. Just like there are quality weatherstrips and cheap weatherstrips, there are probably quality hoses and cheap hoses.
The owner of the Corvette shop in Albuquerque (Scotty's), whom I met yesterday while on my road trip, spoke for several minutes with me yesterday specifically about how bad the cheaper weatherstrips are: leak in rain, doors don't close properly unless you slam (the "rubber" is too hard), windows don't roll up right, etc.
Jim G
The owner of the Corvette shop in Albuquerque (Scotty's), whom I met yesterday while on my road trip, spoke for several minutes with me yesterday specifically about how bad the cheaper weatherstrips are: leak in rain, doors don't close properly unless you slam (the "rubber" is too hard), windows don't roll up right, etc.
Jim G
In some cases I have been pleased, others not so much.
#9
Racer
Thread Starter
Samco Sport sells a high quality high $$ silicone hose kit for many C4 engines, no L98 though;
http://www.samcosport.com/usa/car_ki...make=Chevrolet
http://www.samcosport.com/usa/car_ki...make=Chevrolet
Jim G
#10
Melting Slicks
In an article by Scott Mueller, on the LT1 coolant system, he says that an option on Caprice police are with the Lt1 was SEO 1T1 (silicone radiator and heater hoses. Apparently, in police service these were intended to last the life of the car. They also included special clamps with a full perimeter band to minimize hose distortion and potential hose damage by the clamp itself.
That sounds like a GREAT idea. Is it, or are there any drawbacks?
Are hoses like that available for our C4s? If so, where?
Jim G
That sounds like a GREAT idea. Is it, or are there any drawbacks?
Are hoses like that available for our C4s? If so, where?
Jim G
#12
Team Owner
Although I have a C-5, and this is a C-4 discussion, I'll "butt-in", and say that I have silicone cooling system hoses. I got them from one of the "forum vendors", CCA, if I remember correctly. I use the Gates "power grip" type of hose clamps. (they're like HD shrink tubing)
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
#14
Racer
Thread Starter
Although I have a C-5, and this is a C-4 discussion, I'll "butt-in", and say that I have silicone cooling system hoses. I got them from one of the "forum vendors", CCA, if I remember correctly. I use the Gates "power grip" type of hose clamps. (they're like HD shrink tubing)
I think I understand why the focus on the clamps as well. Normal clamps tend to distort the hoses, and cause the hose material to extrude into the clamps, especially where there are "spaces", like right under the clamp screw. The better clamps distribute the pressure very evenly in comparison.
Jim G
#17
Le Mans Master
Against what they recomended I reused my clamps because they were new and in good shape. I was just carefull when I tightened them down.
#18
Drifting
For my '96 I used Gates hoses for the radiator and heater core but the 3/8 hose from the surge tank to the radiator then throttle body (I did the throttle body bypass at the same time). I used Goodyear Hi miler hose which comes in blue and matches the blue Samco hoses.