Should I Use Carbon Miata Silicone Coolant Hoses?
#1
Should I Use Carbon Miata Silicone Coolant Hoses?
In preparation for my turbo install I'm going to be doing a reroute and probably a new radiator. While I have the cooling system drained I was thinking I would replace all the hoses. It looks like Carbon Miata sells a silicone hose kit for about the same price as the OEM kit sold by a few different vendors. I'm thinking silicone might be a good idea, particularly on the hot side, for durability. I'll be running a turbo which is oil cooled only so water lines there are not a concern. I realize I'll need another hose for the reroute, but I may just use standard rubber since it's on the intake side. Anyone have experience with the Carbon Miata kit or opinions on silicone hoses in general. My research didn't seem to indicate any consensus about using silicone for coolant hoses. Any potential downsides?
Last edited by slowcarfast; 04-24-2015 at 08:14 PM.
#2
If your doing the reroute most people go with the off the shelf gates (look up PN on other threads) for the upper radiator hose. For the lower I used the FM 1 piece silicone hose which I prefer over the OEM two piece design with the connecting tube. Heater code hoses are the other Items I'd considered doing in silicone but they are just so damn pricy for two hoses (mishimoto makes them). I stuck with oem with heat wrap for those. Silicone wouldn't be a bad idea if it's in your budget for more peace of mind.
#3
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My reroute uses a upper rad hose from both a GM 5.3L Truck and Old-school GM 3.1L V6 with a T in between to bring in the oil cooler return.
I preferred silicone but couldn't find any of those in silicone hoses. I find silicone hoses don't get as hard over time and are therefore easier to undo/redo since the car gets torn apart regularly.
I preferred silicone but couldn't find any of those in silicone hoses. I find silicone hoses don't get as hard over time and are therefore easier to undo/redo since the car gets torn apart regularly.
#4
I have the appropriate gates hose for the reroute saved somewhere in my bookmarks. I'm getting one of the reroute spacers skou is selling in the classifieds.
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the Carbon Miata kit in particular and how its quality compares to other options. I'm a bit surprised that it's the same cost as the OEM kit and it seems pretty cheap compared to the Mishimoto and Flyin Miata offerings. Lower radiator from FM and heater hoses from Mishimoto costs more than the Carbon Miata kit which includes all 8 hoses for the NB.
I do like that the FM lower hose is a single piece, less failure points and all that.
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the Carbon Miata kit in particular and how its quality compares to other options. I'm a bit surprised that it's the same cost as the OEM kit and it seems pretty cheap compared to the Mishimoto and Flyin Miata offerings. Lower radiator from FM and heater hoses from Mishimoto costs more than the Carbon Miata kit which includes all 8 hoses for the NB.
I do like that the FM lower hose is a single piece, less failure points and all that.
#6
I bought the whole set from him, so far I've only used the heater hoses and the ones that run under the intake manifold for the oil cooler and tb. The fitment of the hoses are good, after I think was 2 years they've held up. You can request to get the nb lower radiator hose instead of the 2 piece na version. Another thing is that the vacuum hose to the brake booster does not come with a check valve, just something to be aware of when replacing that hose.
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