Intercooler boots and clamps for high boost #'s?

chevyburnout1

Fixing it till it breaks
Aug 25, 2008
2,368
1
38
Berthoud, CO
Any of you high boost number guys, what are you running for intercooler boots and clamps? I think I made the mistake of going with boots from siliconeintakes.com. I have a hole in one which may or may not have been from compressor wheel shrapnel, and the rest of the boots feel like wet noodles after a hot run. Seems like the going consensus is PPE boots but the Dmax kit I saw wont work as my pipes are different than stock. Do they do custom orders? I want these boots and clamps bulletproof as they will more than likely see over 80+psi.
 

Cknight199

New member
Aug 23, 2012
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Salt Lake City, Utah
You can order a 1' section from ppe then cut it to your desired length. I use a local brand through a diesel shop and it's super thick. Another option I've seen now is using v bands and a ss bellow on the pipe to allow flex.
 

Harbin_22

Active member
Dec 4, 2010
3,858
7
38
Southern Indiana
I was running around 85#'s with PPE boots and clamps. They are awesome quality for sure. The only problem I had was the discharge side of my little turbo would push off some on the race tune. I ended up getting a Vibrant quick connect turn buckle that should take care of that issue. The stock and garret drop ins don't have much of any lip to hold the boot
 

TROJAN366

Gold Rush
Jan 13, 2012
2,474
1
38
MASS
I was running around 85#'s with PPE boots and clamps. They are awesome quality for sure. The only problem I had was the discharge side of my little turbo would push off some on the race tune. I ended up getting a Vibrant quick connect turn buckle that should take care of that issue. The stock and garret drop ins don't have much of any lip to hold the boot

I looked into the Vibrant clamp but it kills me to think about ruining my pretty powdercoat.
 

Cknight199

New member
Aug 23, 2012
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Salt Lake City, Utah
I've also seen a cool trick on a sled plug truck here. He had two typical clamps on on boot, but then ran another clamp in the middle of the boot to help it add strength. There was probably only about 1/8 of boot showing between the clamps.
 

delong_1

<< my work
Dec 5, 2008
1,282
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Arvada, CO
I have a mix of a few, ppe included. Ppe boots would be choice.

Check out their site they have a ton of options
 

chevyburnout1

Fixing it till it breaks
Aug 25, 2008
2,368
1
38
Berthoud, CO
Thanks for the input guys. I'll do some shopping here this evening. I'm needing about a foot of straight, the factory hotside boot at the intercooler, and then a 90 degree on the cold side of the intercooler. We installed a BD turbo on a customers truck and the kit came with some nasty looking huge clamps as well so I'm hoping to round up those as well.

I looked into the Vibrant clamp but it kills me to think about ruining my pretty powdercoat.

This is my issue as well haha.

I've also seen a cool trick on a sled plug truck here. He had two typical clamps on on boot, but then ran another clamp in the middle of the boot to help it add strength. There was probably only about 1/8 of boot showing between the clamps.

That's a pretty slick idea I'll have to try it out.
 

Utahski

New member
Oct 20, 2008
546
0
0
Northern Utah
Any of you high boost number guys, what are you running for intercooler boots and clamps? I think I made the mistake of going with boots from siliconeintakes.com. I have a hole in one which may or may not have been from compressor wheel shrapnel, and the rest of the boots feel like wet noodles after a hot run. Seems like the going consensus is PPE boots but the Dmax kit I saw wont work as my pipes are different than stock. Do they do custom orders? I want these boots and clamps bulletproof as they will more than likely see over 80+psi.

If they're splitting, Vortex boots have 4 layers of fabric and are very strong. I split a couple others but not a Vortex. If there's a large gap between a couple pipes, regular hose clamps on that unsupported section will keep it from bulging. If they're blowing off the pipe.....with mine an intercooler boot would blow off every time from engine torque under hard throttle. Usually it was at the intercooler, but the top one also came off a couple times. A Vband on the top turbo was part of the answer. Then more boot overlap at the intercooler and the inbetween connection. Also a bead rolled onto the pipe ends.
 
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chevyburnout1

Fixing it till it breaks
Aug 25, 2008
2,368
1
38
Berthoud, CO
So I went ahead with the PPE boots and the massive BD clamps. Boots look damn right impressive and way more thick than the cheesy stuff I have on the truck now. The clamps are legit but so far I've received only half of them as the rest are on backorder.
 

PureHybrid

Isuzu Shakes IT
Feb 15, 2012
3,492
472
83
Central OH
We used Thermopol boots and ss spring clamps at the tech center. Under enough heat, any boot won't last very long. 500+ deg kills
 

DMAXchris

It’s only temporary!
Apr 28, 2009
2,273
2
38
44
Natrona Heights PA
So I went ahead with the PPE boots and the massive BD clamps. Boots look damn right impressive and way more thick than the cheesy stuff I have on the truck now. The clamps are legit but so far I've received only half of them as the rest are on backorder.

I had to get a clamp from BD at an event before and you can definitely tell which one it is. I need to order more of them, they are definitely beefy.

A little tip for the PPE boots, get them warm before you try putting them on. Sit them in the sun, use a hair dryer or hot water. They aren't very pliable when cold.
 

BUST'EM 504

Active member
Oct 7, 2009
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36
I ordered some bd clamps also. Does anyone know how the bd intercooler differs from the factory location I was told I am going to need a different boot
 

chevyburnout1

Fixing it till it breaks
Aug 25, 2008
2,368
1
38
Berthoud, CO
Here's a picture comparing stock to BD for anyone who is curious. Notice the BD nut is actually a 1"+ long threaded shaft. Although I made the mistake of ordering too small as they won't fit over the PPE boots. So if anyone needs 8 brand new 3" BD clamps I'll make them a deal!

 

hondarider552

Getting faster
May 28, 2008
10,627
2
36
34
Arizona
I ran PPE boots on my GMC when it had the 66/80 twins at 65psi of boost. Only had a lower stock boot and that boot blowing party was no fun. I currently run stock boots on my single cab but had them all replaced.