Ranger Mods

For those that might be interested in installing a new intercooler in the future, here are a couple of pics of the Plazmaman Intercooler.. It's definitely a nicely built bit of kit and a considerable size difference to the factory...

Thanks.

It should definitely bring the temps down.

Maybe flick some pics up of the install process.

I had one fitted to my Wildtrak as part of the many upgrades I had carried out prior to its initial registration along with Forefront Engineering metal hot and cold pipes, I have one question though, even with the Forefront Eng. pipes the OE plastic hot pipe coming off the turbo goes down the sump level before rising back up to the intercooler inlet pipe, --- why is this so ?
I could understand it if there was a drain cock or some such device to drain any oil from the hot pipe but this isn't the case. Has anyone done a direct connection - that is from the turbo to the intercooler intake pipe, there is certainly room past the air filter.

Iainboyd wrote: ↑Tue Aug 20, 2019 11:03 amHas anyone done a direct connection - that is from the turbo to the intercooler intake pipe, there is certainly room past the air filter.

Yes, I did but removed it again.

I fitted the Plazaman hot side Silicone hose and it is a neat direct Intercooler to turbo connection.

It is a fairly heavy hose and it was bought to my attention that as I have fitted it with the stock plastic intercooler I could be asking for trouble.

With the hose weight pulling/hanging constantly on the plastic fitting it could crack, and I didn't want to chance it.

It would be fine with any metal intercooler.

I didn't drive it a lot but the motor seemed better without the restrictive bends.

RossPat wrote: ↑Tue Aug 20, 2019 4:09 pm I fitted the Plazaman hot side Silicone hose and it is a neat direct Intercooler to turbo connection.
It is a fairly heavy hose and it was bought to my attention that as I have fitted it with the stock plastic intercooler I could be asking for trouble.
With the hose weight pulling/hanging constantly on the plastic fitting it could crack, and I didn't want to chance it.

I am thinking about doing the same thing with silicone hoses. How true would it be that it could crack the plastic piping? I'm sure that it would be up to the task of holding that weight?

I'll talk to Plasmaman today and obtain one and connect it to my metal hot pipe

AS82XLT wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2019 10:07 am

RossPat wrote: ↑Tue Aug 20, 2019 4:09 pm I fitted the Plazaman hot side Silicone hose and it is a neat direct Intercooler to turbo connection.
It is a fairly heavy hose and it was bought to my attention that as I have fitted it with the stock plastic intercooler I could be asking for trouble.
With the hose weight pulling/hanging constantly on the plastic fitting it could crack, and I didn't want to chance it.

I am thinking about doing the same thing with silicone hoses. How true would it be that it could crack the plastic piping? I'm sure that it would be up to the task of holding that weight?

I am not certain it can support the weight or I would have left it on.

It may be perfectly capable of supporting it, but if the plastic piping on the intercooler snaps off in the middle of nowhere....

I had the Hot and Cold Plazmaman pipes connected to the OEM intercooler for almost 12months without any problems before I put the new intercooler in.... that being said I've keep both sets of old pipes in the car as spares - I did think about the hot pipe span and the weight when I installed it, but once connected there wasn't really much 'download'. I also figured if the guys using metal pipes with silicone joiners and lots of clamps aren't have any problems I shouldn't have an issue

I think the thin Alloy pipes are lighter, I am in the process of finding that out.

The Plazaman hose weighs 950grams, fairly weighty.

There is also a lot of unsupported flex on that side of the motor.

640 grams.

Gesneriad wrote: ↑Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:46 am

640 grams.

Is that the Forefront pipe?

Yes.

Thanks

Cheers.
Guess I'll need to have a good look at the whole thing and weigh up my options

AS82XLT wrote: ↑Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:28 am Cheers.
Guess I'll need to have a good look at the whole thing and weigh up my options

You are spot on

I ordered a Forfront hot side pipe yesterday.

One way to look at it is there will be approximately 320 grams hanging off each end and a lot less bulk to bounce around in between.

I picked up the Plasmaman silicon pipe yesterday and I'll fit it, weather permitting, on Sunday (I'm working tomorrow and Saturday ) looking at the various components it shouldn't take more that an hour tops. Yes, its weighty but its running from the turbo to the alloy Plasmaman intercooler and looking at its route it can be easily supported if I think its needed. If I'm happy with it I'll have a Forefront Industries alloy hot pipe up for grabs.

I fitted the Plasmaman black silicon hot pipe hose yesterday, it was, as I expected a real trial getting the original assembly out without having to dismantle the entire drivers side engine bay but armed with determination, a standby cordless reciprocating hacksaw (not needed) and a packet of Elastoplast's ( I used six) I removed the OE hot pipe assembly and installed the new one. Total time taken, around an hour, 45 minutes to remove the old OE unit and 15 to install the Plasmaman hose.
Two things of note, the OE and Forefront Ind. hot pipe assembly uses no less than 6 hose clamps, the new pipe uses just two, that alone has to be a long term service and maintenance advantage. So I took the Wildtrak for a run up the mountains and yes, there is a noticeable reduction in the time to boost up to it's maximum 28 psi - remember my Wildtrak has the upgraded PX1 turbo - not the original PX2 unit and it also has the Plasmaman alloy "Profeshional" intercooler. So, yes its going to stay on. Time and a forthcoming trip to the Kimberly for 8 weeks next March will be the real trial and in the meanwhile we have a few local camping trips planned so if there is any change in my opinion of the new hot pipe, I'll get back to you.

I fitted the Forefront industries hot side pipe today, took me 50 mins but that's because I have done it before.

Both the same shape as you would expect but a huge difference in weight.

The Forefront pipe has 4 clamps, 2 more than the Plazaman pipe does but I have never had an issue with stainless steel clamps.

With all the clamps under the bonnet 2 more aren't going to matter.

I am confident that this pipe will be OK on the stock intercooler due the the aluminium pipe only weighing 300 grams so very little unsupported weight.

I have a Plazaman hot side pipe going cheap.......

RossPat wrote: ↑Tue Aug 27, 2019 3:09 pm I fitted the Forefront industries hot side pipe today, took me 50 mins but that's because I have done it before.

I have a Plazaman hot side pipe going cheap.......

20190827_142016.jpg

Does the Plasmaman "hot pipe" have a spigot or tapping for a turbo boost pressure gauge as the Forefront Ind. alloy pipe has ? If it does I'm very interested in buying your hot side pipe, if not …… how do you fit or connect a boost gauge ? Is there another connection somewhere in the induction system ?

Iainboyd wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 10:04 am

RossPat wrote: ↑Tue Aug 27, 2019 3:09 pm I fitted the Forefront industries hot side pipe today, took me 50 mins but that's because I have done it before.

I have a Plazaman hot side pipe going cheap.......

20190827_142016.jpg

Does the Plasmaman "hot pipe" have a spigot or tapping for a turbo boost pressure gauge as the Forefront Ind. alloy pipe has ? If it does I'm very interested in buying your hot side pipe, if not …… how do you fit or connect a boost gauge ? Is there another connection somewhere in the induction system ?

It is the same silicone hose you fitted, doesn't have any fittings to do what you want

RossPat wrote: ↑Tue Aug 27, 2019 3:09 pm I fitted the Forefront industries hot side pipe today, took me 50 mins but that's because I have done it before.

Both the same shape as you would expect but a huge difference in weight.

The Forefront pipe has 4 clamps, 2 more than the Plazaman pipe does but I have never had an issue with stainless steel clamps.

With all the clamps under the bonnet 2 more aren't going to matter.

I am confident that this pipe will be OK on the stock intercooler due the the aluminium pipe only weighing 300 grams so very little unsupported weight.

I have a Plazaman hot side pipe going cheap.......

20190827_142016.jpg

Pmd you

SOLD

So what are the thoughts on Plazmaman silicone cold side pipe? It seems that it is a better idea for the alloy hot side but no (recent) discussion on the cold side.

I'm not able to comment on the Plasmaman alloy cold pipe but I have a Forefront Industries alloy cold pope, three reasons
1.) Its alloy and wont ever split.
2.) It has a 1/4" NPT tapping connection for my boost pressure gauge.
3.) Its lighter than the original Ford hose, even with the two silicon connectors.

The cons -- with the two silicon connectors there are now 4 hose clamps instead of the original 2

The Plasmaman cold side pipe being Silicone will never split.

The only gain of an Aluminium pipe is the weight, but the cold side support is adequate.

I can see my boost pressure on my tablet/phone so I have no need for extra fittings, just more crap to go wrong.

I have always worked on one philosophy, less stress is best.

Why stress fittings with extra weight if you can fit something half the weight to do the same job, aliuminium has been known to split so it isn't fool proof.

I am referring to the hot side.