New Product in the works 4.2L I-6 SILICONE RADIATOR HOSES!!

[jetttstream]

Okay guys, I can't keep a secret any longer. I am officially in development of the silicone reinforced radiator hoses for the i-6 GMT360 guys.

To my knowledge there is one upper and one lower for all years, correct me if I am wrong.

So, as of right now I am doing BLACK. No colors--to keep the development and production time reasonable.

If you are interested I am targeting $99.99 for the upper and lower combo.

TBSS hoses pictured:

http://www.jetttstream.com/images/Rad_Hoses/rad_hose_tbss_black_02.JPG
3-ply and 5mm thick!!!!

http://www.jetttstream.com/images/Rad_Hoses/rad_hose_tbss_black_03.JPG

BLUE

http://www.jetttstream.com/images/Rad_Hoses/rad_hose_tbss_blue_01.JPG

RED

http://www.jetttstream.com/images/Rad_Hoses/rad_hose_tbss_red_01.JPG

ORANGE

http://www.jetttstream.com/images/Rad_Hoses/rad_hose_tbss_orange_01.JPG

If you are considering a COLOR please let me know.

Please let me know your interest, your year make model please:

1. Jetttstream, 2008 GMC Envoy, BLACK
2.
3.
4.
5.

[the roadie]

1. Jetttstream, 2008 GMC Envoy, BLACK
2. The Roadie, 2004 Envoy (don't tease us with the SS colors if you only want to do black.)
3.
4.
5.

[jetttstream]

(don't tease us with the SS colors if you only want to do black.)

Sorry to be confusing--BUT, I will do colors if people commit to them.

However, people that can't commit at this point will most likely end up with black.

If we get 10 people to commit to a color--I can do that color 100%

:)

-Mike

[Chickenhawk]

I am not the brightest tool in the shed, or even the brightest shed in the shed, so can you please explain what makes silicon hoses better, and what in particular would make your hoses better than OEM.

One of the great things about this forum is that most of us agree that GM did a great job designing these trucks and we acknowledge when OEM parts are as good, if not better than, aftermarket parts. (AC Delco spark plugs, batteries, gear oil and oil filters come immediately to mind; all of which have compared very favourably to the best of the aftermarket.)

By the way, I love the red ones because they would match my truck colour, but I need to be sold on the advantages first. I really can't afford to be 1000 kilometers north of the nearest cellphone tower or service station and have my hoses explode on me. (Which, by the way, is a trip I just finished undertaking where I took my Trailblazer north to the absolute farthest point one can physically drive in Manitoba - about 80 kilometers from the mouth of Hudsons Bay on the Nelson River. The truck performed admirably and never burned a drop of oil in the 20-hour straight drive there and home.)

So, for an aging cynic such as myself, can you show us how these hoses compare to stock? Thanks much!

[jetttstream]

I am not the brightest tool in the shed, or even the brightest shed in the shed, so can you please explain what makes silicon hoses better, and what in particular would make your hoses better than OEM.

One of the great things about this forum is that most of us agree that GM did a great job designing these trucks and we acknowledge when OEM parts are as good, if not better than, aftermarket parts. (AC Delco spark plugs, batteries, gear oil and oil filters come immediately to mind; all of which have compared very favourably to the best of the aftermarket.)

By the way, I love the red ones because they would match my truck colour, but I need to be sold on the advantages first. I really can't afford to be 1000 kilometers north of the nearest cellphone tower or service station and have my hoses explode on me. (Which, by the way, is a trip I just finished undertaking where I took my Trailblazer north to the absolute farthest point one can physically drive in Manitoba - about 80 kilometers from the mouth of Hudsons Bay on the Nelson River. The truck performed admirably and never burned a drop of oil in the 20-hour straight drive there and home.

So, for an aging cynic such as myself, can you show us how these hoses compare to stock? Thanks much!


First and foremost the quality of the reinforced silicone can be seen within the first second of handling the pieces.

Second, silicone rubber has been proven to last longer than OEM rubber.

Typically they are used in rally racing and extreme high temperature where coolant systems require high pressure as well. These hoses don't burst.

Lastly, they are an insulator too---which helps keep the heat out of the engine bay and forces the radiator to be the place of thermal radiation.

And finally, they look AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

No really don't take my word--see my customers opinion(s):

http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23157

quote:

In short, as a heat insulator, yes they do. Read on to see it for yourself.

As a pet project, I'm always looking for ways to make the TBSS cooling system more efficient. During some discussions in other threads, it was mentioned to me that a set of silicone radiator hoses may reduce the heat under the intake tubing and may help in MAF / IAT heat soak issues because the silicone is supposed to be a great heat insulator and may keep the heat from the upper radiator hose off of the intake. Mike of JeTTTstream Automotive Technologies had announced that some silicone radiator hoses are being developed for the TBSS. I know silicone hoses have been used in the "ricer" market mainly for the looks but I was more interested in seeing if silicone radiator hoses had a more functional aspect to them. I contacted Mike at Jett and inquired about the silicone hoses and he agreed to sell me a set of black silicone radiator hoses before they're officially on the market. Mike agreed to sell me the prerelease hoses mainly because he was interested in the fit of the hoses to make sure they go on with no manufacturing issues. Being that I didn't have any direct experience with silicone hoses, I decided that I will test them out for the thermal properties when I installed them as well (he didn't know about that part;)) until after I was done.

I tried to think of the best test possible that I could perform in the shop to test the insulating properties of these hoses. What I decided on was to get the engine as heat soaked as possible and test the surface temp of the upper radiator hose in stock configuration, silicone hoses installed, then with silicone hoses installed with a 160* thermostat in for ****s and giggles. I concentrated on keeping all the tests even and equal in testing conditions for the best and most accurate (non scientific) result as possible.

Firstly, I took a reading of ambient temps in the shop that night, 69.9 degrees as a sort of "control" to demonstrate testing conditions:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1822.jpg
The truck has the stock '08 mechanical cooling fan installed as well as a stock radiator.

The first test:
Also as part of the control test, I removed my 160* thermostat and installed the factory thermostat. Evacuated the air from the cooling system and filled the system and let it get up to operating temperature. I turned the engine off and installed a thermocouple on my Fluke 88.5 meter and taped it to the upper radiator hose with electrical tape to get the upper hose surface temp. I then started the vehicle and let it idle stationary for a timed period of EXACTLY 30 mins with the hood shut. I installed a Tech2 during the testing period to monitor ECM data of ECT and IAT data. Once the 30 mins was up, I took readings from both the meter and the Tech2.

The upper hose surface temp with stock hoses and stock thermostat was 125.4* F.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1788.jpg

The Tech2 data showed 195*F ECT, and 100*F IAT for the stock hoses with the stock thermostat:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1797.jpg

The dashboard gauge showed 210* incedentally.

The second test:
I had let the truck cool down to a sensible temperate to handle the cooling system components and drained the coolant. Then I installed the silicone radiator hoses left stock thermostat in place. I evacuated the air from the cooling system and refilled. I got the truck back up to operating temp again, shut it off and installed the meter in the same spot to obtain uppper hose surface temp. I ran the truck as I did above for a time of EXACTLY 30 mins. When the test period was over I obtained the meter and Tech2 readings.

With the silicone hoses installed and the stock thermostat, the upper hose surface temp was 113.0*F.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1814.jpg

The Tech2 data showed 195* ECT and 98* IAT
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1807.jpg

The instument cluster once again showed 210*

The third test:
I again let the truck cool down once again to be able to service the thermostat. I drained the coolant (man I'm going through a lot of coolant) and replaced the stock thermostat with a SLP 160* thermostat to perform a test with the silicone hoses and a 160*F thermostat. I evacuated the air and filled the coolant system. I ran the vehicle up to operating temp and shut the truck off to reinstall the meter and thermocouple. I ran the truck in the same conditions as the above two tests for EXACTLY 30 mins. When the test period was over I obtained the meter and Tech2 readings.

With the silicone radiator hoses installed as well as a 160* SLP thermostat, the upper radiator hose surface temp was 110.4*
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1818.jpg

The Tech2 data showed 186*F ECT and 96*F IAT:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1817.jpg

The instrument cluster showed 2 lines under 210*

In summary:
Stock hoses and stock thermostat
Hose surface temp = 125.4*F
ECT = 195*F
IAT = 100*F

Silicone hoses and stock thermostat
Hose surface temp = 113*F (-12.4*F from stock hoses)
ECT = 195*F (same as with stock hoses and stock thermostat)
IAT = 98*F (-2*F from stock hoses and stock thermostat)

Silicone hoses and 160* thermostat
Hose surface temp = 110.4*F (-15*F from stock hoses with stock thermostat and -2.6*F from Silicone hoses and stock thermostat)
ECT = 186* (-9*F from both stock hoses with stock thermostat and Silicone hoses with stock thermostat)
IAT = 96*F (-4* from stock hoses with stock thermostat and -2*F from Silicone hoses with stock thermostat)



and

[jetttstream]

Some thoughts on the hoses themselves and the tool I use to evacuate the cooling system.

I was very surprised when the hoses arrived on how stout and strong they feel. I'd imagine they would be pretty hard to cut if you had to. They seemed to be only slightly thicker than the OEM hoses.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1789.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1790.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1791.jpg

The install is pretty much straight forward. The upper radiator hose seems to fit really TIGHT around the water pump and radiator nipples. I'd rather the hoses be on the tight side than on the loose side personally. Later, I found that just a little bit of silicone lube spray on the nipples of the water pump and the radiator made the hoses much easier to handle and position correctly.

To install perform the following steps:

Raise hood and remove intake ducting from MAF sensor to throttle body.
Wait for the vehicle to cool sufficiently to remove the radiator cap
Carefully remove the lower radiator hose at the bottom of the radiator to drain the coolant system
After the coolant system is drained, remove the upper radiator hose from the water pump and the top of the radiator
Remove the lower radiator hose from the thermostat housing assembly at the water pump (easier access with upper hose removed and out of the way)
You may have to cut the spring type hose clamps from your OEM hoses as the clamps are molded into the bottom of the hoses. All it takes is a razor blade to cut the clamps free.
Install the clamps on the new hoses a few inches from the ends
Install the lower radiator hose onto the thermostat housing at the water pump assembly
Attach the lower radiator hose to the radiator at the bottom
Make sure your position the spring clamps correctly after the hoses are slid onto the nipples
Install the upper radiator hose from the water pump outlet to the radiator inlet
Make sure the hose clamps are positioned correctly on the hose
Fill with approx 2 gallons of dexcool and water mixed in a 50/50 ratio
Purge system of air (I prefer to use the tool shown later in this thread)
Reinstall the intake ducting


Here are some pics of the lower hose installed:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1800.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1801.jpg

This is the tool that I use to evacuate the coolant system of all the trapped air bubbles. It uses compressed air for a venturi effect to pull a vacuum on the coolant system alleviating all air from the coolant system, as you can see from the pics. It is very powerful and it collapsed these hefty silicone radiator hoses under the vacuum, (sorry I couldn't get the vacuum gauge to show correctly with the flash)::

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1803.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/jay4speed/TBSS/Silicone%20hose%20experiment/100_1804.jpg

You then put the clear hose into a container of coolant. Just open the ball valve and the coolant gets sucked right into the coolant system without introducing air. No air bubbles, no worries, no fighting with overheating issues from air bubbles. I can have my coolant system filled free of air in less than 45 seconds. Another nice benefit is if you check the vacuum gauge after you pull the vacuum on the coolant system, you can check for vacuum loss before filling the system, indicating a cooling system leak even before you fill it keeping you from wasting coolant.

Here is an old post I made saying where you can get it:
http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=187336&postcount=42

THANKS for your interest!

-Mike

[MajesticLT03]

add me the the list

[jetttstream]

1. Jetttstream, 2008 GMC Envoy, BLACK
2. The Roadie, 2004 Envoy,
3. MajesticLT03, 2003 TB, BLACK
4.
5.
6.

[the roadie]

add me the the listYou're a super mod. Add yourself to the frickin' list. :dielaugh: :raspberry

[hatchet669]

ya know if i didnt just have my coolant system drained twice already in the last 2 weeks... to do it a 3rd time.. i'll wait... order it another time..

[palitoiii]

Add me to the list.

1. Jetttstream, 2008 GMC Envoy, BLACK
2. The Roadie, 2004 Envoy,
3. MajesticLT03, 2003 TB, BLACK
4. Palitoiii, 2004 TB, Blue (Yes I will like in blue)

[palitoiii]

Any update?

[jetttstream]

Any update?

They will be ready in a couple weeks.

Black only for first run.

-Mike

[MajesticLT03]

sweetness :thumbsup:

[Joe_2915]

Add me to the list.

1. Jetttstream, 2008 GMC Envoy, BLACK
2. The Roadie, 2004 Envoy,
3. MajesticLT03, 2003 TB, BLACK
4. Palitoiii, 2004 TB, Blue (Yes I will like in blue)
5. Joe_2915, 2004 TrailBlazer Black

[jetttstream]

http://www.jetttstream.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JETTT&Product_Code=JAT-TBi6-RAD-UL-BK&Category_Code=TRLVOY


Here they are!

http://www.jetttstream.com/images/thumbs/I6_tb_rad_hoses_thumb.jpg

[dean]

Add me to the list.

1. Jetttstream, 2008 GMC Envoy, BLACK
2. The Roadie, 2004 Envoy,
3. MajesticLT03, 2003 TB, BLACK
4. Palitoiii, 2004 TB, Blue (Yes I will like in blue)
5. Joe_2915, 2004 TrailBlazer Black
6. Dean, 2006 GMC Envoy, Red (when they are ready)

[jetttstream]

Add me to the list.

1. Jetttstream, 2008 GMC Envoy, BLACK
2. The Roadie, 2004 Envoy,
3. MajesticLT03, 2003 TB, BLACK
4. Palitoiii, 2004 TB, Blue (Yes I will like in blue)
5. Joe_2915, 2004 TrailBlazer Black
6. Dean, 2006 GMC Envoy, Red (when they are ready)

Dean,

here you go: sorry they only are made in black.

http://www.jetttstream.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JETTT&Product_Code=JAT-TBi6-RAD-UL-BK&Category_Code=ENVOY

[dean]

Dean,

here you go: sorry they only are made in black.

http://www.jetttstream.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JETTT&Product_Code=JAT-TBi6-RAD-UL-BK&Category_Code=ENVOY

My bad, thanks. I was too damn tired yesteday when I did that. Be ordering soon - thanks!