Aluminum water pipe

[allmine104]

Has anybody made a water pipe out of aluminum tubing to replace the corrosion prone steel one? Just a idea..

 

[Rsawd95dsm]

Im curios as well that would be interesting to know. nice thought

 

[jpmxrider489]

I don't see why you can't make one. As long as it can with stand heat and pressure.

 

[allmine104]

Aluminum melts much hother than your cooling system would ever get(hell alotta people are running aluminum exhaust...and cooling system pressure normally doesn't get higher than 15-16 psi...

 

[boost97gst]

Would be nice. Im surprised no one makes an aftermarket. Probably the cost would be prohibitive. The bends would have to be perfect and good welds obviously but i dont see why its not possible.

 

[jpmxrider489]

There isn't a big gain from a aftermarket water pipe. Its supply and demand. The only purpose would to be cleaner. But I did see someone get rid of it and make a custom part.

 

[99gst_racer]

Aluminum corrodes too. I feel it's counter productive to even worry about it.

You're better off installing a brand new steel pipe every 20 years if it's really an issue to you.

 

[lukehx]

even if you used a high grade of stainless like 308, it's not as light as aluminum but it would probably be less prone to oxidation and looks a little better by my opinion. you all know already its good with high heat

 

[allmine104]

Oem pipes won't be made forever...could also benefit the guys running big compressor housings no need for the dent..would already have clearance

some fabricator should take a stab at it...id buy one...

 

[gofer]

JayRacing sells an adapter for the water pump, just found out about it today, for an AN fitting. Of course, you'd have to weld one onto the t-stat housing end but it is another option.

JayRacing Water Pump AN Fitting Adapter Kit - Side Inlet

 

[99gst_racer]

^^ That's an excellent option especially for the 6-bolt guys because their water pipe doesn't connect to the t-stat housing. You could run a -16 hose from the water pump straight to the radiator.

 

[gofer]

Just FYI for anyone entertaining this "upgrade", I funded a -20AN radiator upgrade and once it's all said and done it has been about a $350 expense between the hose, hose ends, and weld in bungs.

 

[jpmxrider489]

Yes for anyone wanting to upgrade to braided rad hose, its not cheap.

 

[allmine104]

-AN braded water pump hose...hmmm

If anybody has modified there water pipes post up some pics my water pipe was seriously corroded and I'm not putting it on my new motor and was wanting to know my options before I bought a new oem pipe....

 

[jpmxrider489]

Just FYI for anyone entertaining this "upgrade", I funded a -20AN radiator upgrade and once it's all said and done it has been about a $350 expense between the hose, hose ends, and weld in bungs.

Gofer, Another cheap option, race city race parts on ebay has cheap braided hose with ends. Got a setup for like 50 bucks. Just something to think about
RACE CITY RACE PARTS Home Page

 

[gofer]

Gofer, Another cheap option, race city race parts on ebay has cheap braided hose with ends. Got a setup for like 50 bucks. Just something to think about
RACE CITY RACE PARTS Home Page

That is a good option but I'm OCD about braided lines/fittings and unfortunately my checking account suffers from it. Once I install everything I'll do a tech article with parts required but, to give everyone idea of cost, I'll post the parts I ordered here with the price of everything. Keep in mind, I went with a -20AN setup where some go with -16AN and save some money doing it and it works just fine.

Also, I like keeping everything black so I had to go with Earl's which tend to be a bit pricey, too. I ordered everything from Summit Racing but they price match so I found a site that carry's Earls stuff for $15 to $25 a fitting cheaper, then I called Summit and they beat them by $1.

For -20AN radiator upper and lower hoses here's the parts list.

- 36" -20AN Earl's Prolite Hose EAR-350320ERL... $54.95 each
- (2) -20AN Earl's Straight Hose End (Black) EAR-AT300120ERL... $58.99 each (price matched to $45.00 each)
- (2) -20AN Earl's 45* Hose End (Black) EAR-AT304620ERL... $99.95 each (price matched to $74.00)
- (4) -20AN Fragola Male Weld-In Bung (Aluminum) FRA-499568... $9.95 each
- AFCO Scirroco Radiator AFC-80107N... $281.95​

If anyone is interested in doing this they price matched from Pace Performance | GM Performance Automotive/Truck Parts & Accessories you just call Summit and ask them to match it and they'll bit Pace by $1.