Inlet Tubing

**Viper_ed** · 07-02-2007, 05:39 PM

Debating on if I should use 3" Steel Tubing, 3" Aluminum Tubing or 3" Thin Wall PVC to make up all of my inlet tubing going from my Turbo to Intercooler to Throttle Body. I can see each having a benefit, but not sure which one will be best for overall air flow and mainly heat dissapation. Chim in your opinions on each!

**Silverhatch** · 07-02-2007, 05:46 PM

Just need to check what the "bursting pressure" is on the aluminum versus steel. I would assume alot has to do with amount of boost your gonna run and the thickness of the walls of the pipe itself.

**Stangman701** · 07-02-2007, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Viper_ed

Debating on if I should use 3" Steel Tubing, 3" Aluminum Tubing or 3" Thin Wall PVC to make up all of my inlet tubing going from my Turbo to Intercooler to Throttle Body. I can see each having a benefit, but not sure which one will be best for overall air flow and mainly heat dissapation. Chim in your opinions on each!

Aluminum would probably be the best way to go, but also probably the most difficult.

**blkp42e** · 07-02-2007, 06:22 PM

i thought PVC was bad to use for intake tubing. something about heat and harmful gasses?

i may be wrong

**Silverhatch** · 07-02-2007, 06:37 PM

A bad thing about aluminum is if your doing the welding yourself. You don't have the ability personally to weld aluminum.

**Mitternacht** · 07-02-2007, 06:49 PM

pvc tubing is good for CAI systems because it doesn't hold heat like aluminum would. But for boost, go aluminum.

**wick** · 07-02-2007, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by luxurysportscar

You don't have the ability personally to weld aluminum.

But I do.

**yeahloh95** · 07-02-2007, 09:29 PM

my vote aluminum

then you can pollish it .

**Chris00GT** · 07-02-2007, 11:05 PM

I'd go with aluminum tubing. You can polish it and it will help with air intake temps if you run it right

**itow** · 07-02-2007, 11:54 PM

Im going for 4" aluminum.. Its the lightest and nicest looking ;)

**somethingclever** · 07-03-2007, 08:46 AM

Aluminum...I can't see PVC offering nice radius'd bends that you can get/make with aluminum. Boost pressure is not a concern for the material itself, just make sure you have nice weld beads on the end of each tube. And of course some T-bolt clamps.

**bgblockelcamino** · 07-04-2007, 12:25 AM

i always use stainless tubing for my charge piping. for me it is readily available and easier to work with

**svtroush** · 07-04-2007, 12:36 AM

if u go with the steel it will hold alot of heat and it if chrome it. it will hold even more heat. go with aluminum because u can polish it

**Martin0660** · 07-04-2007, 12:40 AM

I have a mix of aluminum and steel on mine. I put the system together with 2 1/2" steel as a start since it was easy for me to set-up and tack, but have been changing over to 3" aluminum as possible. (yeah, I know do it right, do it once).

Steel is cost effective, easy to work with, and can be nicely pinted / powdercoated for looks. No real downside except a little more weight IMO

Aluminum is much better for heat transfer, lighter, and can be polished (mine is scotch brite sanded ;) )

PVC belongs in the ground with waste water going through it. Actually, PVC is NOT temperature rated to turbo application temps, I've seen lots of guys try it, and get away with it for a while, not really melt it, but it gets soft. CPVC is rated higher in temperature if you are inclined.

BTW - go the extra little bit, and get good 4 ply silicone couplers and T-Bolt clamps for you joints, you will never regret it.

Bob Myers