Charge Air Pipes

Has the rubber hose between your turbo and intercooler become porous, or do you want more stable piping for a project with higher boost pressure? Charge air pipes carry the compressed air from the turbo through the intercooler to the engine's intake. This category covers complete pipe kits, individual pipes as well as hoses and clamps.

What charge air pipes do

The pipes between the turbo, intercooler and intake must stay sealed under boost pressure and heat. Original hoses can become porous over time, and a leak can cause lost boost pressure and sluggish response. Aluminium pipes, e.g. the aFe BladeRunner kits for the hot and cold side, provide fixed piping, while the hose sections connect the pipes and absorb the engine's movements. The pipes belong under air and fuel cooling and should be considered together with the intercooler.

How to choose charge air pipes

Consider several factors rather than just the pipe diameter:

• Fitment: Pipe kits are typically developed for a specific car and engine, so check that the part number matches your model and your intercooler.
• Diameter: Bigger is not automatically better. The diameter should suit the turbo, intercooler and power target, and the connections must match.
• Joints: The quality of the hoses and the type of clamps make a big difference to whether the system stays sealed.
• Scope: If you are also replacing the intercooler, an intercooler kit can be simpler than pipes alone.

The category includes brands such as aFe, do88, Mishimoto, Injen and Wehrli.

Installation and inspection

Installation depends on the car and may require other parts to be removed. Clean the spigots, position the clamps correctly and retighten them after the first drives. A pressure test can reveal leaks before they cost performance. Extra hoses and clamps can be found under intercooler accessories.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the hot side and the cold side?

The hot side carries the compressed, heated air from the turbo to the intercooler. The cold side carries the cooled air on to the intake. Some pipe kits cover both sides, others only one, so check the product description.

Why does a hose blow off under load?

Typically it is caused by a clamp that is too loose or incorrectly positioned, or an oily spigot. Higher boost pressure than before can also reveal weak joints. Clean the spigot, position the clamp correctly and retighten after the first drives.

Do new charge air pipes need approval for inspection?

It depends on the product, the car and the overall project. If the pipes are part of a conversion with higher power, the modification may require approval. Check the requirements and any documentation for the specific part number before driving on public roads.