Disavantage of rubber IC piping

[OzSir2]

Can you please outline the disadvantage of rubber intercooler piping as opposed to metal piping.

The advantage of rubber that I can see is: more resistance to heat, lighter weight, don't need silicone couplers.

The advantage of metal is: looks better.

I know the rubber piping flexes somewhat so will that affect boost (i.e. more lag) from the turbo?

[STOCK]

metal is easy to "custom" make
reinforced rubber will cost a fortune for a one off mould

[destrukshn]

aluminium is very light.
lighter than the rubber.

[b18c_crx]

i think u will get more lag

[Limbo]

i think u will get more lag

DOn't think so, unless you get bigger piping or larger intercooler, it won't give more lag.

THe other issue is that the silicon pipes could pop off at high boost

[aimre]

Rubber expands..

[b18c_crx]

rubber expands causing it to go bigger... when it goes bigger it will cause lag.

[Limbo]

generally you use reinforced piping, which should not be expanding much at all. Otherwise they would of all poped off and you'd get no boost at all.

[OzSir2]

Even though aluminium light, it is a great conductor of heat so will heat up quickly (but also cool quickly). Yes, rubber piping does have reinforcing (sort of like a steel radial tyre has reinforcing) which helps keep its shape but the question is how much pressure can it handle without adversely affecting performance?

[Limbo]

you use the rubber joins to hold the piping together anyway, so i'm sure the rubber with hold, also i'm sure you could ask what the rating of the rubber is

[Weq]

The main disadvantage of rubber is it weakens with heat. Can cause issues at high boost levels. It alos has lots of flex. Lots of movement. It works fine though. Use din many OEM applications. No the best, but it will work.