Silicon Intake Pipes - Cheap v Expensive?

mad89 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:46 am

OK, so i've just started looking at Silicon Intake pipes, and my first port of call was to check out the various vendors around forums and the like.

I came across this one from Wolf Racing, it looks pretty good quality, price seems reasonable, and its black, which is what i'd want:
http://wolfracingproducts.com.au/produc ... ucts_id=22

Then i decided to check out good old eBay, as you do, and came across HEAPS of different options. Some just look cheap and nasty and their cheap price tags tell the story there. Just when i was about to give up and send off an email to Wolf, i came across this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Subaru-WRX-silic ... 45e9cdd915

Do those two look the same to anyone else?

Now, im all for supporting Australian businesses and dealers, so if someone tells me they're different then ill happily purchase from Wolf if im convinced im getting a superior product. I do also know there is alot of cheap crap that comes from overseas so most eBay "performance parts" aren't that great - hence why im posting/asking this.

Anyone using the Wolf Racing one or an eBay one?

Can anyone more experienced in researching these products let me know the difference? Im also considering a TMIC Y-pipe kit from Wolf, however that same seller also has some Y-pipe options that look similar.

Cheers.

my.wrx · **Posted:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:33 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/subaru-WRX-STI-s ... 43a16b2d86

FUCKING NIGHTMARE TO FIT

but yours is the 98 model so might be ok

manz · **Posted:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 8:22 pm

My understanding of what serperates the good ones from the bad ones is the ply (thickness) thicker the better ,anything over 3 ply would be sufficent for most applications

my.wrx · **Posted:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 8:49 pm

manz wrote:

My understanding of what serperates the good ones from the bad ones is the ply (thickness) thicker the better ,anything over 3 ply would be sufficent for most applications

not really....
its the shape....some dont have the slight bend at the bottom

manz · **Posted:** Sun Oct 03, 2010 10:27 am

My comment was in reguards to them colapsing under pressure .....

mad89 here is a link to some info

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ifferences

I had an ebay one diddnt have any problems but I was only running 16psi

Patster · **Posted:** Sun Oct 03, 2010 10:46 am

It does come down to the quality of these intakes.
Minimum thickness 3 ply and they need to have the wire reinforcing to stop them from collapsing.
Troy from ProSpeedRacing PSR sells alot of these with good feedback.
You get what you pay for when it comes to silicon intakes.

mad89 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:45 pm

Thanks for the feedback and advice guys - i forgot about this thread. lol.

I have done a bit more reading though and pretty much every post i come across says they're an absolute bastard to fit. Is it worth the gains?

I've just also bought a new TMIC with silicon Y-pipe kit, so might be worth the upgrade to silicon intake too? Has anyone fitted one and noticed any real differences?

At this stage, it looks like im going to go for the eBay one, as it comes with the SFB too. Im yet to pick the difference between it and the Wolf one (personally, i think they're probably exactly the same). The PSR one does look different, but is that difference worth the $100+ price premium?

-T8- · **Posted:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:27 pm

I had to get one, as my original one was shot, was a bitch too fit..
All I noticed was an increase in suction noise.. And I got a Perrin intake (top quality)

my.wrx · **Posted:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 6:46 pm

mad89 wrote:

Thanks for the feedback and advice guys - i forgot about this thread. lol.

I have done a bit more reading though and pretty much every post i come across says they're an absolute bastard to fit. Is it worth the gains?

I've just also bought a new TMIC with silicon Y-pipe kit, so might be worth the upgrade to silicon intake too? Has anyone fitted one and noticed any real differences?

At this stage, it looks like im going to go for the eBay one, as it comes with the SFB too. Im yet to pick the difference between it and the Wolf one (personally, i think they're probably exactly the same). The PSR one does look different, but is that difference worth the $100+ price premium?

The PSR ones are 5 ply...I have a cheap ebay one and was a dead set C to fit...ask Mikey...still have some skin under my bonnet that belongs to him..lol

I have a PSR one which is going to be fitted tomorrow and also the short fat bit

mad89 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 11:43 pm

No worries, thanks for the tips guys.

Kurt, let me know how the fitment goes. As i said, i don't mind paying for quality when and where appropriate.

But im thinking ANY one that i get is going to be a pain to fit. lol. See how we go, i might just leave it as is...

T-REXX · **Joined:** Sun May 30, 2010 12:57 am **Posts:** 11

The difference to My ones to others are my ones arent made from China Silicon like alot of the EBAY ones. PSR inlets are made from either USA OR GERMAN Silicon. my ones are reinforced with Wire and have more ply which Pat suggested. My ones have a life time warranty and fit.. Never had one yet collapse, digrade over time, fade or crack/split.. and they will never go soft due to heat

Also ebay ones DO FIT alright, but give it 12 mths and they will slowly deform and go softer which causes the problems.

Troy

Mikey7 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 1:33 pm

I personally wouldnt buy the cheap crap off eBay.. not worth the potential headaches.. got with something reputable.

I bought a PSR one and couldnt be happier. The quality is excellent and is recommended by heaps of people; including myself.

my.wrx · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:11 pm

Yer the quality is awesome ... Like all PSR stuff that Troy sells

mad89 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 11:21 pm

T-REXX wrote:

The difference to My ones to others are my ones arent made from China Silicon like alot of the EBAY ones. PSR inlets are made from either USA OR GERMAN Silicon. my ones are reinforced with Wire and have more ply which Pat suggested. My ones have a life time warranty and fit.. Never had one yet collapse, digrade over time, fade or crack/split.. and they will never go soft due to heat

Also ebay ones DO FIT alright, but give it 12 mths and they will slowly deform and go softer which causes the problems.

Troy

Thanks for the feedback Troy. As i mentioned, i did note that yours looked to be significantly different.

Do you have an SFB piece to suit 97-98 WRXs? Can you do any better on price for the two? Do vendors get special pricing?

haha... Anything you need stereo wise that i might be able to help with?

T-REXX · **Joined:** Sun May 30, 2010 12:57 am **Posts:** 11

Hi mate

im not a vendor on here... but i for the two i do them for $269 incl the SHORT FAT BIT now;)
u cna purchase it on my site

troy

domino · **Posted:** Tue Oct 19, 2010 12:08 pm

Hey Troy, when you put that short fat bit on a my98, what do you do with the hose that goes to the OEM one?

my.wrx · **Posted:** Tue Oct 19, 2010 1:22 pm

T-REXX wrote:

Hi mate

im not a vendor on here... but i for the two i do them for $269 incl the SHORT FAT BIT now;)
u cna purchase it on my site

troy

We are happy to have you as one but..you know that..

mikey · **Joined:** Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:22 pm **Posts:** 38

X3E - Ivan has good quality gear silicone inlets for 98. 99-00 Models aswell as 01-07 WRX/STi.

5 ply reinforced, I have fitted about 3 of these and they slide in with ease. They are one piece aswell so you won't need SFB. Prices from $250 delivered from when I purchase a few before. Not sure if they have dropped or gone up in price. He is a vendor on here.

Quality is close to AVO intake that I had on the STi. The AVO had 3 ply with reinforced metal ring between the layers to support/prevent it from collapsing under load.

And yes those ebay ones are rubbish, they aren't even silicone...they are 70% plastic and 30% silicone. And you fill up your swear jar fairly quickly too.

merc2c · **Posted:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:35 am

Troy - never see you on MSN anymore - got any silcone inlets for a my10 forester? i think they're the same as the 08+ wrx

T-REXX · **Joined:** Sun May 30, 2010 12:57 am **Posts:** 11

Hey Merc2c;)

always on MSN mate.... send me a request again... when i got my new APPLE Laptop the Adium program didnt load all the contacts.

I have ones for the new Imprezas, Foresters and Libertys now

Troy

MY00 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:06 pm

Difference between a ebay spec or a quality hose is alot of things mainly being Ply thickness, material content and fitment.

While they may 'look' the same dont forget that these chinese companies have become very good @ coping others peoples stuff.
Don't fall for cheap ebay knock off's that will collapse under boost. Spend a few bucks more and get some decent gear.

WRXSTI02 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:11 pm

These look awesome!
maybe they make them for your model

viewtopic.php?f=62&t=336&p=24573&hilit=silicone+intake#p24573

mad89 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:54 pm

I ended up with a PSR one and SFB, but i still havent fitted it yet. lol.

I'll post back more info once i do it but!

As i said in my initial post - i dont mind paying for good quality stuff, provided im not just paying for a brand etc. The PSR one feels nice and solid and its general 'feel' and finish (even though i havent fitted it) is good quality, and not cheap and nasty.

my.wrx · **Posted:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:37 pm

I have used the eBay cheap Chinese ones on my car with no issues at all.. Very happy with the price that o paid which was under $150 for all of them incl the top and bottom radiator hoses
Where do your hoses come from ?

MY00 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:59 pm

Mine come from a factory in the UK. Have you noticed they have gone soft over time with the cheaper ebay ones?

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Silicon Intake Pipes - Cheap v Expensive?

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