pjay 8 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) I want to "dress" up my engine with pretty blue/red silicone hose. Essentially replacing all the boring black stuff. Not so much for performance, but more cosmetics. I am interested though in any performance gains (if any, somehow I sincerely doubt it) silicone hose could provide. Noob question 1. Can I simply remove all the old hose while the engine is off, cut and crimp new hose on, and (in my head) simply turn the key again once all the hose is replaced and the car will start and drive perfectly fine? Is it really as simple as that? Noob question 2. Ive seen the pricing of proper silicone hose. Ouch. Is it safe to use rubber hosing? Or where can I get it from a smidgen cheaper? Cheers, And here's a visual example. Edited June 24, 2009 by Pjay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 855 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Peter !!!!! .... Its not a friggen Honda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DRTDVL 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Depending on the application of intended use they would be fine. For coolent / oil you will want proper hoses (either silicon or non-silicon) for the job. For areas where boost or vacuum will occur you will need to make sure the hoses will not colapase or buldge when in those conditions. Wiring you can get colored sleaves you could resleave the wires into groups if you wanted too... http://cableorganizer.com/braided-sleeving/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CamB 48 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Umm, might be my eyes, but there is no silicone hosing in that picture. Blue wires are ignition leads and throttle cable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zenetti 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) ^^ exactly Edited June 24, 2009 by zenetti Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pjay 8 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Its an example of the colour I'm going for. I know exactly what the wires are and that theyre not silicone hosing, just the quickest example I could find... DRTDVL - I'll be wanting to replace ALL hosing if possible in the engine bay. And that sleeving stuff looks good! Edit - And Glenn, I know its not a honda, or I'd be purchasing a carbon fibre rocker cover and redoing the fuse box and other bits and pieces in carbon fibre... Oh, wait.... Edited June 24, 2009 by Pjay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Its an example of the colour I'm going for. I know exactly what the wires are and that theyre not silicone hosing, just the quickest example I could find... DRTDVL - I'll be wanting to replace ALL hosing if possible in the engine bay. And that sleeving stuff looks good! Edit - And Glenn, I know its not a honda, or I'd be purchasing a carbon fibre rocker cover and redoing the fuse box and other bits and pieces in carbon fibre... Oh, wait.... Ya Honda'd ya car didn't ya. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DRTDVL 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Its an example of the colour I'm going for. I know exactly what the wires are and that theyre not silicone hosing, just the quickest example I could find... DRTDVL - I'll be wanting to replace ALL hosing if possible in the engine bay. And that sleeving stuff looks good! Edit - And Glenn, I know its not a honda, or I'd be purchasing a carbon fibre rocker cover and redoing the fuse box and other bits and pieces in carbon fibre... Oh, wait.... Well then you will need a mix of proper application suitable hoses and rubber hoses. I've got some rubber hoses that are being used as oil breather pipes and they are crap (no i didn't put them on the car) and they weep oil out of them. You will need to make sure they are rated to the tempratures for the area they will be in use. Things to think of also: Chemical Resistance? - should coolent, oil, grease, dirt, etc get on them will they die quicker... Operational Heat Ranges?  - will they melt, deform, weep, etc... in temp's experanced under bonnet. etc... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pjay 8 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Is there any single type of hose I can use? Ie, just all silicone?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DRTDVL 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 most silicon hoses are ok... better to check with someone who knows more than i do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zenetti 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Exactly which hoses do you want to do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Pics of the carbon fibre? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pjay 8 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Basically anything that's visible. Well as much as possible. I could take a picture and label it tomorrow? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED1RTY 2 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Coloured electrical tape? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zenetti 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) radiator and breather hoses will definitely need to be silicone. Most breather hoses are 6mm and you can pick up rolls in various lengths and sizes off trade me. The radiator hose may be a little more difficult to find. Check out the user Zosimos on Trade Me, he has American made stuff and does kits in red or blue. Edited June 24, 2009 by zenetti Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Radiator hoses are done in gates from George Stocks they specialise in Gates. Problem is alot of their hoses are kits for certain cars but if you got the shape they may be able to supply you with hoses that are close enough where you may have to slightly cut them. Silicon vacuum/boost line will be fine for any vacuum hoses in your engine bay. Its just your fuel and oil hoses that need to be fuel or oil rated.. im pretty sure redline, pioneer or segedins do silicon and fuel/oil resistant hose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pjay 8 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Thanks Zenetti and boost junky! Exactly what I wanted to know. I'll have a look see around this weekend for fuel and oil rated stuff. And Jonno this sh*t is ideal! Cheers! [buy now click] God I love debit cards! **Please note that Silicone hose is NOT suitable for use as Fuel or oil hose. It is not to be used to replace the Brake Vacuum hose line.** Good to know! Not for brake vacuum either. I took picture(s) but the camera cable is at my mothers house after uploading pics after drag day. Ohhh.. pretty. I think I need to find out how thick my fuel line is 1st. ALUMINIUM FUEL LINE http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-225402945.htm Edited June 24, 2009 by Pjay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CamB 48 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Ohhh.. pretty. I think I need to find out how thick my fuel line is 1st. ALUMINIUM FUEL LINE http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-225402945.htm You don't want this - installation would be a major job (you'd have to convert to fittings) and its not a good idea (its rigid, not flexible and you'll still need some sort of rubber couplings). You could try blue pushlock hose from a performance shop, although you'd need to find it in the right size, which could be 8mm - 5/16" (not common). Its also potentially not rated to the right pressure, although that doesn't seems to stop people using it. Edited June 24, 2009 by CamB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DRTDVL 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Ohhh.. pretty. I think I need to find out how thick my fuel line is 1st. ALUMINIUM FUEL LINE http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-225402945.htm If your going to screw around with fuel lines, do it properly briaded steel lines... Bewared annodized connecters get EXPENSIVE very very quickly... unless you have a trade account somewhere factor $30+ per connector Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pjay 8 Report post Posted June 25, 2009 Ooooh kay. Ghey. That's alright! Fuel lines aren't as visible in the engine bay. I'm mainly looking at the vacuum lines, and brake/power steering lines as they are the most visible. I've had my head under my bonnet for near an hour this morning deciding exactly what I wanted. Took half an hour to decide on red or blue also. Went with blue. Should contrast well. Hope this guy delivers fast Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites