Jake951

I just did the coolant pipe fix on my '07 GT3. My car has 46,000 miles on it and about 50 track days. Here are a few photos and a video of the process that should be of interest to you folks. All the work was done by Kachel Motor Co. in Lawrence, MA (http://kmcauto.com/).

First, here is the engine just after it was dropped from the car:



Next the old coolant pipes were removed. This video shows how easily they came out, which is kind of disturbing. I doubt I would have made it through the upcoming track season without popping one or more pipes. In hindsight I clearly should have had this fixed earlier, but in any case, it's finally done.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzZl...?usp=drive_web

We decided to weld in new pipes. KMC has lots of experience with TIG welding. We got a nice new set of pipes from BBI Autosport (http://bbiautosport.com/new/). Here are the old pipes along side the new BBI pipes:



Here are a couple of shots of the new pipes welded in:





Now I'm ready to attack the new track season, which opens here in 3 weeks.

Coincidently there was a 2008 GT3 in the shop at the same time. It was being run on the shop's dyno. While doing a dyno pull, it popped one of its coolant pipes, spewing coolant all over the engine and dyno bay! That car had only 10,000 miles and just a few track days. It's now going through the same pipe fix process. Moral of the story: get your pipes fixed!!

brake dust

Thanks for posting. Did your shop recommend welding over pinning?

Sweeper

Nice looking repair John, I will be having it done there as well. I just need to return from FL..
Thanks for the post..

DLJ

Those pipes look so much better.

Hoopumpers

Yes, weld > pin

Pin will prevent hose from blowing loose entirely, but may still have leaking occur over time. I did both to my car - an expensive lesson learned.

surlynkid

Is it just the different metals that make it look like zero penetration on the tubes? Looks like a typical socket joint weld but no penetration.

Jake951

Yes, for the reason mentioned by someone else, namely that you can still get leaks with pinned pipes if the glue goes.

I'm no welding expert, but I'm not sure what you mean by penetration.

Swoody

If you notice in the pics before install...there is a nice meaty collar on each tube which it is inserted up to....The entire collar in each pic is covered in weld and looks excellent IMO....(I have been welding for 35+yrs)....

NAM VET

sigh, nothing is ever simple. I have an appointment in about four weeks to have my engine dropped and the pipes welded along with other wear items replaced. The BBI pipes look great, but i have one concern. Three of the pipes on the right side of Jake's picture have rounded nibs to retain the hose, while the three on the right have sharp edges on their ends. I wonder if the sharp ends will eventually cut thru the hoses, causing a big or small leak. Any opinions, as I need to get my pipes ordered soon.

all the best...

surlynkid

Forgot about that stepped out collar. That is creating what appears to be the gap I was seeing

Sire

Hi,

I was looking on the site of BBI but couldnt find the pipes. Maybe you have an direct link.

regards
marco

Spyerx

call them
ask for Betim or Len
They aren't really setup for e-commerce (small shop)

DDSLT5

Hey Guys - I'm the 3rd owner of my GT3, and I asked the dealership if this fix had been done, but I'm not sure they have a clue. Is there any way to check to see if this has been done? Thanks!

996FLT6

Huh? Pinning is to the fitting -not to hose. A weld or pin will not prevent the rubber hose from blowing. You're thinking pinning is to rubber hose to fitting? If so either method doesn't guarantee a rubber hose will let loose. Mike

r6elmo

thanks for posting - and nice shop or garage you got there.