Supercharger hose/throttle body clamps -- how tight?
 

In my first WOT since installing the Vortech kit a couple days ago, the hose popped off the throttle body. The instructions say to use the included 3" x 1.75" hose here, but the included hose with my kit is only x1.25".

Should I acquire and use a 1.75" hose instead?

How tight should I crank those clamps? I didn't see any torque specs...


BTW, generally mixed thoughts on the kit...
Perrin: Awesome post-sale support. Diagnosed my problems over the phone, immediately. I'm a fan. Everyone I've interacted with is super-friendly.
Power: Pretty darn good. I haven't really laid into it yet (see above...). Will wait for track day to decide.
Install: The instructions are 60% OK, 30% inadequate, 10% bad. Exact same annoyances that Dezoris had in his videos. I could name a dozen other significant annoyances. The instructions need a new rev.
Installer: I should have paid a couple thousand bucks for a reputable performance shop to do it. I did half, and was very slow. A mechanic did the second half, and messed up at least 4 major items that I've found so far.
Overall: I'd expect a smoother install experience given the cost of the kit, especially since it's been out for over a year. But I'm sure that will all fade over time. At this point I'm just happy to have a (mostly) working car again.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EQ...w1708-h1240-no

It looks like the clamp closest to the throttle body needs to be loosened/adjusted, it looks like the bottom half is barely holding onto the throttle body

Well, that picture is after it popped off the throttle body. So right now the clamp isn't on at all :)

Before popping off, the two clamps were both on the hose parallel, one on the body, one on the pipe.

you almost cant overtighten those clamps in that application. You'll most likely strip the hose clamp before you damage anything. That doesn't mean crank them down! It means your not going to break the throttle body with that style hose clamp and your not going to damage the pipe or silicone coupler so don't be afraid of anything other than it being too loose. If you use a screwdriver and you're not a mechanic, a stone mason or on steroids you should almost be maxxed out on grip strength on those clamps. If you're using a socket wrench well....I couldn't even guess at a torque spec. Use a screwdriver and don't be scared. If you're really strong the screw in the clamp will slip before you do any damage.
Just think, its not T-bolts and this isn't trying to hold back 45PSI.

after reviewing everything (ive been drinking) that section of hose is a little short. You can most likely make it work by carefully positioning the clamps at the very edge, but you need a longer piece of hose. I would call perrin, but in the mean time if there are any truck stores near you they usually have large diameter silicone couplers.

With hose clamps, I make sure they are seated behind any flares/barbs, and then I tighten them until I see the band making a noticeable impression in the hose.

Yeah, I agree.. This length "works", but just barely. In trying to mentally recreate how it may have popped off, my guess is that the mechanic, in trying to give the clamp a buffer from the edge of the hose, may have ended up clamping on top of the ridge on the throttle body. That would explain how it ended up cock-eyed, if the lower half slipped off the ridge.

I'll try to stop by Perrin tomorrow and see what they think. Thanks for the guidance there. I've also read elsewhere that if I oil the threads on the worm-drive I can get a bit more tightness out of it.