Is it ok to remove that thermal protection from the boost hose coming off the turbo to the metal charge pipe? I got a boost gauge kitfor Christmas and now am thinking of possible places for boost leaks. No I haven't got it in yet, but i'm almost positive that I havea leak.Thanks guys.

 

I have mine off, and no problems, but I also orderd a kit from http://www.hosetechniques.com/produc...Path=38_55_170and replaced most of my bad lines it works great and is plenty in the kit for about 60 bucks.

 

The only thing about that is that it protects the heat from the charge pipe from getting into the wiring on top of the valve cover. Just make sure that if you leave it off that those wires are protected

 

Th heat will dry out and crack pretty much anything rubber near there. I'd leave it on if you can.

BTW, if you think you have boost leaks, you can build one of these for less than $25.

I regulate my air from my compressor, and have a large 0-60 psi guage screwed into the PVC. Gauge is teh most expensive part, ran me $11, and you don't really need it.

Steve says test at something like 6-10 psi, but any leak I've ever had only happened at higher boost (had a hose seperate from a fitting, sounded like air squealing out of a balloon). I'll test up to 15 pounds sometimes, or whatever max boost is for your car.

 

Just make sure you plug off the oil breather line or you TIP or else you will just be lost......