any benefits from an upper charge pipe???
06-24-2012, 12:53 PM
#2
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charge pipes help spool times and air flow, but how much is not really worth it, more for looks. although im a hypocrite as i have both upper and lowerr
06-24-2012, 12:54 PM
#3
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well seeing as your tuned at 23 psi, do you like how this looks?
simple fact of the matter is plastic sucks for boost (especially for higher levels). Metal charge pipes are not only able to handle anything you throw at them, but they look awesome as well
simple fact of the matter is plastic sucks for boost (especially for higher levels). Metal charge pipes are not only able to handle anything you throw at them, but they look awesome as well
06-24-2012, 01:09 PM
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thats not my personal car... but if you search "ss/tc blown/cracked charge pipe" you get images such as that one..
GM cheaply made the charge pipes (hence the plastic), which I suppose we cant blame them to keep costs low... but the downfall is bring the balt up higher than the stock 15psi makes for the charge pipes becoming a weakness in the system....
granted I did see quicker boost response when I switched my hotside out so there are other advantages more than just looks and reliability.
GM cheaply made the charge pipes (hence the plastic), which I suppose we cant blame them to keep costs low... but the downfall is bring the balt up higher than the stock 15psi makes for the charge pipes becoming a weakness in the system....
granted I did see quicker boost response when I switched my hotside out so there are other advantages more than just looks and reliability.
06-24-2012, 03:17 PM
#11
i still have my stock hot side, but honestly I just prefer the look of my engine bay without the plastic. i didn't really notice any performance increase or anything. i also never had an issue with running the stock hotside for 1.5 years. it still hasn't cracked.
06-24-2012, 04:04 PM
#12
Ok, sounds like there won't be much benefit for the charge pipe I've been running the stock one for 2 yrs. Have not had a problem with it other than the bracket that holds it in place. If there is no performance gain than I don't think it will be worth buying.
06-24-2012, 04:23 PM
#13
It likely doesn't get cold enough in Dallas to make the plastic really brittle, but heat cycling and age will still take a toll. You might not pop that thing today @25psi. Might not tomorrow. But it'll eventually happen to you. You should keep your eye on the used parts forum and pick one up for cheap when you can.
06-24-2012, 04:26 PM
#14
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^this
I was also going to say that about the temp swings... when it gets as cold as -20 up here in the winter, the plastic isnt exactly as strong at that temp as it normally is at say 50 degrees.. temp swings play a big part in it, so I guess if your in a consistently warm climate your charge pipes may not be effected as much
with that even said, just because your in a warm climate doesnt make you safe from this happening
I was also going to say that about the temp swings... when it gets as cold as -20 up here in the winter, the plastic isnt exactly as strong at that temp as it normally is at say 50 degrees.. temp swings play a big part in it, so I guess if your in a consistently warm climate your charge pipes may not be effected as much
with that even said, just because your in a warm climate doesnt make you safe from this happening
06-24-2012, 08:07 PM
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grab your charge pipe after a few "hot laps" at full throttle on the highway and tell me it ain't hot.
if you look at a cross section of the plastic piece you can see it restricts flow as well compared to a tube one.
if you look at a cross section of the plastic piece you can see it restricts flow as well compared to a tube one.
06-24-2012, 08:15 PM
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Damn, man. I'm going outside right now to duct-tape my upper, just in case!! 
Also, if I get that "flame" pattern duct tape, I'm thinking I can dress up my engine compartment a little....
Also, if I get that "flame" pattern duct tape, I'm thinking I can dress up my engine compartment a little....
06-24-2012, 08:55 PM
#24
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well obviously... i was moreso refering to the fella that blew his up on GMS1 only
but yes for the guys running custom tunes. charge pipes and new intercooler are almost a given. plastic sucks
that being said i think alot of people forget plastic gets brittle in cold and im sure some of those people have made full boost in cold weather conditions when they probably shouldn't have.
but yes for the guys running custom tunes. charge pipes and new intercooler are almost a given. plastic sucks
that being said i think alot of people forget plastic gets brittle in cold and im sure some of those people have made full boost in cold weather conditions when they probably shouldn't have.
