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Best tubing to go for

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Hello everyone. New to the forums. :toast:

I already have a water cooled system which I'm using 1\2" ID - 3\4" OD tubing. I'm thinking of upgrading very soon. I thought I'd make a post asking what tubing YOU ALL would go for and reasons why. I'm asking because a while ago, I was told by a few to get 7\16" ID - 5\8" OD tubing. Is that a good choice tubing size?
 
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I have always used 1/2" x 3/4" but the main advantage of moving to 7/16 ID tubing is that you can go clampless. I'll probably do this the next time I replace a major component. I don't necessarily like the smaller looking OD, but the smooth look of bare tubing on fittings is pretty sweet. Other than that, there is no reason to move to the smaller diameters.
 
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I have always used 1/2" x 3/4" but the main advantage of moving to 7/16 ID tubing is that you can go clampless. I'll probably do this the next time I replace a major component. I don't necessarily like the smaller looking OD, but the smooth look of bare tubing on fittings is pretty sweet. Other than that, there is no reason to move to the smaller diameters.

Although 7/16 ID fits tight, it is a terrible suggestion to go clampless and 7/16 is NOT engineered to go clampless......


Most will recommend 7/16 ID for this reason. Nice tight fit over 1/2 inch barbs.
 
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Oh it would be nice to get rid of the clamps then.
 
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Although 7/16 ID fits tight, it is a terrible suggestion to go clampless and 7/16 is NOT engineered to go clampless......


Most will recommend 7/16 ID for this reason. Nice tight fit over 1/2 inch barbs.

???
Isn't that what I said?
 

OneMoar

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going clamp-less is asking for trouble even if you heat shrink the tube its eventually gonna come lose
 

sneekypeet

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going clamp-less is asking for trouble even if you heat shrink the tube its eventually gonna come lose

Eventually is longer than 2 years....longest I ran without clamps before rebuilding a loop. Of course I heat and stretch 3/8" tubing.;)
 

OneMoar

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if the tubing is good quality and you don't overheat it will work for awhile but I ask you do you really wanna take the chance that someday its gonna say fawk you and spray coolant all over the inside of the system ?
 

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Never had that issue.
 

MxPhenom 216

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Im running 7/16th but im going to be going to 1/2ID 3/4OD with compression fitting when I do my next project in a few months.
 
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sneekypeet

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You can use 3/8" ID tubing on the 1/2" fittings. You just need to heat it up and it will stretch over the fitting (I use hot water). 7/16" ID tubing will fit without the heat, just takes a little force to get the tubing on the fitting.
 
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7/16 will be fine with my pump which says it only supports 1/2" ID?

Also I can use compression fitting?
 
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