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Often overlooked, clamps play an essential role in your cooling system. They help keep the tubing connected to the intercooler securely and without any leaks along the way.
While aftermarket intercoolers, piping kits, intake tubes, and blow-off valves can also help, you will still get poor results if you don’t use quality clamps.
So what are the best clamps for intercooler piping? The best clamps for intercooler piping provide a strong hold and fit the tubing shape tightly. However, there is no best size or the best type of clamp for all applications. You have to consider several factors so you can choose the clamp to match your needs.
The sizing of intercooler systems depends on the horsepower of the vehicle. From there, you can calculate the flow area and determine what size piping and clamps you need.
In this post, we will look at the five best clamps on the market today with different size options to best match your piping system.
A Roundup of the Best Clamps For Intercooler Piping
QWORK 1.5″ T-Bolt Hose Clamp Stainless Steel, Working Range 46mm – 52mm for 1.5″ Hose ID, Turbo Intake Intercooler Clamp, 4 Pack
The QWORK T-bolt hose clamp is one of the best options if you are looking for the best clamps for intercooler piping.
It’s made from stainless steel, which is durable and long-lasting. The T-bolt clamp features a zinc finish to make it corrosion-resistant.
Unlike some other brands, this clamp is easy to install because it doesn’t require any special tools. With a working range of 46-52mm, this clamp is best for 1.5″ ID hoses and piping.
HPS Performance Stainless Steel T-Bolt Hose Clamp
Like most products from HPS, this adjustable stainless-steel clamp is made from high-quality materials, which makes it durable and long-lasting.
It features a polished finish for a premium look.
You can use this sturdy clamp in many applications because it’s adjustable and easy to use. With a clamp effective range of 32-37 mm, it fits a hose with an inside diameter of 1 inch.
Read More >> How to Remove PEX Clamps Without Damaging Your Piping
90 Degree Elbow Coupler Silicone Hose 4-Ply 4-inch for Turbo/Intercooler/Intake Piping
If you are looking for a good piping kit, you can’t go wrong with the 90 Degree Elbow Coupler. It’s universal fitting and resistant to UV, water, oil/fuel, and heat.
The soft and flexible material makes it a popular choice because there’s no need to worry about leaks. You don’t have to drill a hole into the hose or tubing because it has a secure fit with clamps.
Kuriyama TBC-SS047 Heavy Duty T-Bolt Hose Clamp
If you are looking for the best clamps for intercooler piping at an affordable price, this heavy-duty stainless-steel clamp is one of the best options.
The T-bolt design has a zinc finish to make it corrosion-resistant.
It’s wide-ranging in terms of its working size, which means you can use it for various applications. With an adjustable length of 7-11 mm, it features a large gauge that ensures there are no leaks or damage to the intercooler.
Hilitchi 10Pcs Stainless Steel T-Bolt Clamps with Rounded Band Edges Heavy Duty Turbo Intake Intercooler Clamp Assortment Kit
The Hilitchi 10Pcs Stainless Steel T-Bolt Clamps set comes with ten pieces, so it’s great for different applications like turbo piping or replacement parts.
The best part about these clamps is the rounded band edges for added safety and durability. The adjustable size ensures a secure fit which means there are no leaks or gaps.
Read More >> 33 Types of Clamps to Have in Your Workshop
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an intercooler do?
Intercoolers cool the air after it has been compressed by a turbo or supercharger, but before it enters the engine.
How tight should intercooler T-clamps be?
Intercooler clamps should be tight enough that you would be able to grab and pull hard the pipe with your hands without it coming off.
Stop once it’s not going more or you would pop it off down the road. If you want to make sure, you can always use a torque wrench to get a good feel for how tight it is.
Are T-bolt clamps better?
It’s a controversial question, but most would agree that T-bolt clamps are worth buying than the worm gear clamp.
T-bolt clamps are wider which means it does a better job of securing the hose. In addition, it uses a lock-style nut which prevents the clamp from coming loose due to vibrations and bumpy roads.
Conclusion
There are several factors that need to be considered when finding the best clamps for intercooler piping. But it all boils down to what’s your specific needs. Based on this list, our top pick would be this QWORK 1.5″ T-Bolt Hose Clamp Stainless Steel, Working Range 46mm – 52mm for 1.5″ Hose ID, Turbo Intake Intercooler Clamp, 4 Pack. It’s durable and the T-bolt clamp is corrosion-resistant.
ToolGrader is your trusted source for tool reviews, including the best clamps for intercooler piping. You can’t go wrong with one of these five products. Be sure to check out our other reviews for your next project!
