[s-cars] MAF to turbo hose recommendations

[Tom Green]

Hey Jim,

I have always considered the 2B hose a good buy for the stock turbo, but I purchased the 034 hose on a group buy instead.  There were some comments about the hose collapsing under very high turbo intake vacuum, but I have the hose on a MTM 1+ AAN engine with no issues.  The fit was easy enough as well.

I bought 2 in the group buy but one vehicle got away without the installation.  If interested in this black 034 silicone MAF to turbo inlet hose, I’ll sell at 
the $165 purchase price.

I have really liked the Breeze constant torque heavy duty stainless steel clamps for all the turbo boost tract hoses and installed them here also.  The clamps are a wide 9/16” with smooth interior and edges to protect the easily cut silicone.  I bought a package of sizes from A-Z Factory Supply in Chicago.  I’ll throw in a CT250 and CT350 clamp if you buy the hose.  Let me know if interested.  That’s enough commerce on the list.

I like the Breeze CT clamps because of the width helps get a secure fit with less chance of cutting the silicone like the original narrow clamps are prone to do.  They are American made so the fitting is a 3/8” hex, meaning an SAE wrench to add to the tools.  Adding these to the intake keeps finding the right wrench simple even though $5 clamps are not really needed on the intake.  The only other complaints I hear concerns the price that many places are asking for these clamps.  
.  

I like Darin’s advice for most things, but not here.  IMO, the t-bolt clamps are the worst possible choice for silicone boost hoses.  They are too difficult to modulate and easily collapse the hose bibs from over tightening.  The forums are full of posts from users trying to find leaks after installing silicone hoses and adding more turns on the t-bolt clamps when the hoses kept coming off.  In the end the hose bib reinforcement bent, allowing a well hidden leak that tightening the t-bolt only made worse.  If you have these, use a screwdriver style hex driver or 1/4” ratchet at most to tighten the clamps.

Tom

> On Monday, April 24, 2017, at 3:39 PM, jim at almgt.com wrote:
> 
> Hey all,
> 
> Finally time to get a new MAF to Turbo hose after the used one I was able to get finally cracked to the point of no return over the weekend.  Was able to cut off the area around the Turbo mounting, but this is by far a temporary solution.  Not wishing to pay the $250 for the dealer part, wondering if the 2Bennett hose is still the aftermarket favorite?  I’ve heard mostly good things about it, maybe a little tough to install but otherwise more solid than the 034Motorsports option.  Any updated opinions?
> 
> Also, looking to update the hose clamps associated with the same hose….any recommendations?  Thanks!
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Jim Fleischer
> ’95 urS6 avant
> 209K