Hard Pipe or OE Pipe?

[Marke]

So at the last AutoX event of the season, my pipe going from the turbo charge pipe to the intercooler blew off and split down the opening. Pipes blowing off seems to have been a problem for me lately. I did buy T-bolt clamps thinking this should solve the problem, but this is obviously not the case.

I have never thought to go to hard pipes because I heard that they had a tendency to blow off. However, manufacturers claim they are less prone to blowing off on high hp applications compared to OEM.

So for those of you that track your cars and are running around 450-500hp, what is your experience with hard pipes?

I don't care about what looks best. I am all about function here.

[frankiman]

your problem isn't the pipe blowing off, its the oem pipe cracking and splitting

i've seen it a couple times, even sold the oem pipe off my old gtr to someone with the same issue


i had a hardpipe kit already installed on my new GTR, never had any issues with it, i switched to T-bolt clamps and newer silicone couplers this summer, running 17psi max and ~480hp, everything holds up really well

anyway, the way the pipes are mounted, with barelly any space between them, i can't see them ever coming off, ever

its not like a custom pipe kit for a turbo conversion on a non turbo car, where most of the pipe are straight and long and have lots of play between each other

the intercooler piping on a GTR is so freaking tight, its hard to put it together, so i just really can't see any part of it blowing off with pressures below 30psi

[GTR--J]

OEM pipes stretch under boost, crack and harden like plastic after 20 years. Imagine trying to tighten down a PVC pipe without it popping off.
Hard pipes pop off when you use cheap or OEM clamps. Buy some hard pipes and problem solved
PS.......I can't lend you my old ones cause I chucked them out

[Harvey]

OEM pipes stretch under boost, crack and harden like plastic after 20 years. Imagine trying to tighten down a PVC pipe without it popping off.
Hard pipes pop off when you use cheap or OEM clamps. Buy some hard pipes and problem solved
PS.......I can't lend you my old ones cause I chucked them out

Agreed!!

And also the hardpipes just looks 1000 times better!!!

[quadracer111]

Can someone post a picture of a hardpipe in an engine bay?

Thanks

[Marke]

Hard pipes it is then.

[RWDragoon]

Only problem with hardpipes is finding a reasonably priced set! Every set I've found are all $700+

[Harvey]

I think the Greddy ones can be had for around 500 bux. (4 pieces intercooler pipes only not the suction kit)

[Marke]

I got some HKS ones for $500cad.

[Smilez]

I got some HKS ones for $500cad.

do you have a picture of these installed? Will they work with z32 mafs?

[Velders]

The kit that Marke got is likely just from the twin turbo pipe, through the intercooler, and into the plenum. doesnt touch mafs. Assuming its the same kit I have.

[DJ]

just get some made or make your own, alot cheaper and different

[Marke]

What Velders said. I have just ordered them and they are on their way.