Hey all,

I got my Samco hose kit from Gruppe-S and some T-bolt clamps from Hose techniques. Well, I got the right t-bolt clamp for the tb, but the other ones were too small. I emailed them and the will take the other t-bolts back in exchange for the correct size.

For now, I just did the top two hoses and re-used the stock clamps. I also took this time to clean my K&N and my MAF. I now plan to get a catch can setup due to the oil I found in the MAF pipe.

I didn't expect much diff, but car feels great so far. I must have had a leak or lose clamp (although I've tried to tighten them all before). Now the car releases nicely when I lift off the throttle, whereas before it was more of a bucking affair unless I also shifted or at least put in the clutch. It makes driveability so much better. Spool and midrange are also noticeably different (better). I liked my car before, but now I like it much better, lol. I'm eager to replace the rest of the hoses and get the new proper size clamps on there. Car even idles and sounds better...

The samcos are obviously much nicer quality and beefier than the stock flex hose stuff. The hose techniques t-bolts are stainless and very nice, but also spendy.... People have noted that NAPA has similar clamps for ~$2 rather than $6, although I don't know if they're stainless also... I went to the hardware store and spent $8 or something silly for stainless nuts/bolts when I installed my RT cat, but I looked under there the other day and they still look great, heh.

Take care,

FB

 

some pics?

 

I really like mine. they do stand out and look strong. ENJOY!!

 

What size clamps did you end up needing? Please post so the rest of us don't have the same issue.

 

Hey guys,

Sorry about leaving the details out, my daughter was crying

Hose Techniques had this part #: 60267-33, which it lists as good from 2.37" to 2.67". I actually need 60292-33 which is good from 2.61 to 2.92". I used
60317-33 for the TB, which it lists as good from 2.86-3.17".

With more driving today on the way to work, I had no knock readings on my SAFCII (yes I know not that accurate, but I like seeing 0 rather than a reading), and I did not get any hesitation or misfire like I used to at 3500 - 4500. On top of that, my CEL turned off, lol.

If I had a leak, it was probably running rich, which could have caused misfire and also helped foul my Denso plugs.

Anyway, I think that one lesson is to make sure everything in the car is working well, rather than just modifying other parts (exhaust, dp, mbc etc.) to compensate. Right now my car is much more civil and smooth, AND it has better power.

I did compare how the stock hoses would baloon to the samcos when blipping the throttle at idle, and of course the samcos resist it better. Just making sure the clamps were all tight and not leaking probably helped my situation the most though....

I'll try to take pics tonight, but my engine bay isn't the nicest. I even have blue ones that don't really match since red was out of stock.

Take care,

FB

 

ditch those hardware store stainless steel bolts. they should break real soon, they aren't even grade 3. gotta go with ARP if you want a strong stainless steel bolt.

 

If you cleaned your MAF also, you just got the same results I did after cleaning all the K&N oil out of it. It made a big difference in power and MPG.

 

Explain to me why he needs a high grade bolt to hold the exhaust together? I'm anxious to know.

- Steve

 

Hi,

The bolts were just for the exhaust to cat flange, they seemed plenty beefy for that? I'll keep an eye on them though.

Good point Zeus, I think my car is running better from all of the changes, including cleaning the MAF. Not very scientific (altering multiple variables), but oh well...

Still getting no knock readings, even after leaning out a bit more with SAFCII and still running great. I'm pretty pleased with the car right now. I also have the correct t-bolt clamps on the way so I can install the rest of the hoses and replace all of the old clamps...

Thanks,

FB

 

FYI...most of the oil that you are finding in the MAF is from the filter. the filters use oil to help catch the dirt. and DO NOT run the filter clean with no oil. this will decrease the efficiency of the filter to filter the crap before it goes into your engine.

 

I got pictures of the Samco hose kit in the link below, they work as good as stock, but look way sharper under the hood. write me talalhz@yahoo.com

 

the tbolts sold at napa are the "BREEZE" brand and are stainless, be careful with the tbolt clamp you put on the throttle body, in my experience the tbolt clamp band is a little too wide to set properly within a metal lip on the end of the throttle body itself, when I tried this the thing just kept on popping off no matter how hard I tightened it down.

 

Guys, the information about K&N filter is very important.
I plan to clean my MAF, but I'm afraid to damage the sensor. May I use the Generic Dry contact cleaner for this job?

Any help I would appreciate

 

Hey,

During this time I also cleaned (and LIGHTLY re-oiled) my K&N. Yeah, K&N needs the oil to work, but don't want too much to cause any issues downstream. Per their documentation, too much oil doesn't filter better.

Thanks Mitsuorder, for pointing out I spent 300% too much for the HT clamps I did try to keep the TB clamp within the lip which I could feel under the hose, so far so good. I never had one pop off before though either.

Thanks,

FB

 

I really wasn't trying to rub anything in man Just clarifying that if one needs t-bolt clamps these are the same as NAPA, it makes it easier to have the clamps in your hand so you can be sure they are the proper size. Sorry to hear that you got the wrong size but happy to hear that the tb hose is staying put, just couldn't get mine to stay on with a tbolt for the life of me, keep us updated.