Potential Group Buy- CRD Turbo Pipes

[tdwrangler]

Can anybody report on the real-world performance benefits of solid pipes vs flexible ones? Is it an appreciable improvement or only very marginal?

Only reason I ask is whether silicone replacements would expand and offset any performance gains of the s/s pipes. But if these gains are minimal then I'd rather go the silicone option.

[michaelwheatland]

The turbo lag with the stainless pipes is pretty much non-existent.

My friend has two Defenders, one with silicone pipes one with solid pipes and it is clear that the turbo lag is much better with solid pipes.
Some people will tell you silicone does not stretch, but it is still flexible, so there will be energy loss through the pipe unlike the solid ones.

[MightyMouse]

Stainless isn't flexible - all the movement has to be adsorbed by thw couplings at the ends and this could place unacceptabele stress on thw hardmounted bits like the intercooler entry.

Silicone is flezible and would apply less stress to things.

The torque reaction of the powertrain in low range is pretty significant and needs to be allowed for

[michaelwheatland]

The flexibility and elasticity is the thing that causes turbo lag. The less give in the pipe gives much improved performance and economy.

Not sure about stresses between engine and chassis. I have revved the engine pretty hard to test it out and the engine mounts seem to be very firm, not allowing much movement, and what movement there is, it is small enough to be taken up by the very small silicone connectors at either end of the pipe.

A great solution, and it improves performance and fuel consumption.

[double black offroad]

Williams Race Services sent down a set of these hoses for us to test and play. Put em on, perfect fit, feels more responsive than before (mines not that laggy anyway) and looks bling!
Heres a pic:

[moxon]

$$$$ ?
on the market yet?

[MightyMouse]

Flexability is good... watch the torque reaction of the powertrain when working hard in low low and you'll see why rigid isn't a good idea. There's a good reason why flexible hoses are fitted to things like radiators / intercoolers etc when they cost more for the manufacturer than a rigid steel or plastic part.

On the hose expansion front the change in hose volume is pretty small in relation to the air consumed by the engine even at low revs but can't be discounted.

Do you have any pressure plots of before vs after ?