Stock Cooler Piping on Basic Tune

[Stealth-T]

Hi guys/gals,

 

I've been a bit of a stalker on the forums since I bought my T and thought I'd introduce myself. So...   HI!

Now more on topic, I have had my car tuned to 269rwkw on the stock gear (Only mods are a center muffler delete and intake). After reading about the stock intercooler piping being so bad I am a bit concerned about whether I should replace mine now, or if it's fine. One piece does have a little tear in the plastic right at the end where it doesn't do anything and I've noticed that even the xr6 sprint came with the piping, which makes me think it must be half-decent. So should I be more concerned and grab a cooler piping kit?

 

Thanks.

[k31th]

the stock gear will probably last at that power level, anyway... but if you want to upgrade it, it'll probably last even longer. It's a bit of a toss up whether it's actually worth doing.

[Stealth-T]

Thanks for the response k31th. I've been in 2 minds on whether to do the piping. It's my daily and gets used on the odd cruise, so I was thinking it might be wise as precaution to not get stranded and hope I have some duct tape somewhere handy  but if it seems like it'll be alright then I might leave it be. Have you heard of the stock piping becoming brittle with age/heat cycles?

[k31th]

at stock, the pipe on a FG coming out of the turbo outlet (the hot side) can split, but if you keep an eye on it, you can make sure it doesn't or if it does be ready to quickly patch it.

[Puffwagon]

You won't get stranded from a split cooler pipe. 

 

If you're in an ultra dusty environment ie: a dirt road,  you could slap a piece of tape on it and drive home off boost, but normally you'd just drive home and repair it.

 

How about you kill two birds with one stone and upgrade the entire intake? New intercooler and pipes etc. 

 

It's expensive but you'll gain reliability and have a better foundation for repeatable and higher power.

[Stealth-T]

The pipe coming off the turbo is the one with a small tear, I've had it off a couple times and seems the plastic is quite soft near the ends which would make sense for it to be the common failure point (plus big ol' bend right off turbo outlet).
 

Puffwagon, I've been plenty tempted to do that and more, but trying to stay on a budget saving for a house so there's not much I can do beyond what I can justify for maintenance/precaution

[ilk]

Just change the piping and pressure wash the fins on the intercooler. Good as new. My fg had 200000 km on it with original piping. With 10 psi going through them The pipes still hold but I noticed when I took them off that the hot side ones get really soft when hot, so soft you could nearly poke your finger through it of you pushed hard enough. I don't feel like looking like a dick if I gave it some snot and a hole blew out a old soft pipe. It would still be drivable to get home but then you'd have to order new pipes and wait a week until you drive it again.

 

So new piping is just a preventative measure really. Some people recomend a new cooler but because you get hit with Ford FG xr6 turbo tax expect to pay through the ass for a intercooler that will fit properly. 

 

I still use my stock one but it's only a daily driver, the stock one becomes very useless very fast with spirited driving. And it only cools efficiently at 60km/h or faster. Anything slower and heat soak will turn your pipes and cooler into a hot plate. 

 

 

TLDR

 

Get new pipes as a preventative measure and get a better intercooler if you can afford it.

[Puffwagon]

Fair enough and good choice. If I was in your position regarding the cooler piping I think I'd wait for it to break then upgrade it.

 

Edit: With I love pussy's comment, if they really are that sh*thouse then maybe it's better to just upgrade the pipes rather than wait.

Edited 26/01/19 04:11 AM by Puffwagon

[ilk]

Well I wouldn't say sh*thouse, still held together after 200000 km, God knows how many heat cycles and 10-11 psi.

 

Piping is $250. If you can't afford that you can't afford a house either.....

 

Just saying

[Stealth-T]

I run the pressure washer over the fins every now and then already, but just wasn't sure how justified I was in worrying about the piping. I've definitely noticed they can be a bit soft. The $250 on piping isn't a concern for me, but the inevitable money/parts spiral I would do if I went ham on mods would...