Does anyone know off the top of their head what the diameter is on the hose clamps that connect the hoses to the OEM airbox?

Also: the O-Ring part that connects the factory box to the fresh air area (the connection from the box to the wall which is frequently "Air Box Modded&quot...I'm planning on opening up this hole, but I'd like to put another O-Ring in place. Does anyone know the name of this particular part and/or where I could get a larger version of this from? Currently it's like an inch in diameter, but I'm going to try to push it to about 4 inches (like Thumper did: Lightning Speed...and + 3 MPG !!!). Should any auto parts store (Pep Boys? Murrays?) have these in different sizes?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

The ID is ~ 2 5/8" so size your hoseclamp accordingly.


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Cheese

 

Thanks, Cheese. I'm gonna guesstimate that an extra 1/4" would do it? Would a 3" be too big?

Anyone?

 

Hoseclamps are usually pretty adjustable. I'd go with the 3"

--
Cheese

 

Thanks again. That was the plan...

You know what I don't get? Why did MINI use these silly single use clamps? My Jeep has these nice easy adjustable plastic ones that are a breeze to pop on and off....

Just a thought.

 

>>You know what I don't get? Why did MINI use these silly single use clamps? My Jeep has these nice easy adjustable plastic ones that are a breeze to pop on and off....

I think BMW uses these clamps because they are cheap, strong, fast to apply with the right tool, light weight and easy and fast to remove. If you have the clamp tool which my garage does, you can reuse the clamp by crimping it closed.

If you use aftermarket clamps they weigh more due to the fastening nut and screw and there is extra metal at the end that needs to be trimmed off. When you remove the clamp you need to use a screw driver and spend time to unscrew the clamp. So too long to tighten and release compared to the pressure clamp method.

So I hope this ends the mystery of the "silly (single use-not) clamp".

 

You think that its going to be easy but try getting one that thin. I couldn't easily find one so the grinder did its work.

 

I hear you Minihune. But I'll take a picture tomorrow of my JEEP hoseclamp. It's actually plastic, and fastens somewhat similarly to a zip tie, though it is quickly unfastenable. Just seems like a handy concept, though I'll agree that the shiny MINI ones look nice, and I suppose if I had the right tool then I might like them more!

 

Ooooh... thread resurrection!

I just bought a universal hose clamp (breeze clamp) but it's wider than the original, and lacks the strange little cut out area to accomodate the strange little nubbin on the hose. Has anyone had any luck with this? I'm about to go out and stick it on, but I was just wondering if it was really going to clamp tight enough, due to the fact that it's slightly wider than the channel in the hose...

If you DON'T sub a breeze clamp for the original, how are you supposed to maintain sanity when you have to change/clean your air filter? (Or did I take the hose off for no apparent reason?)

Also a little worried that such an aftermarket "mod" will void my warranty...

_________________

 

Toast,
You can reuse the original if you were careful removing it.
Just squeeze it back together with a pair of pliers.

--
Cheese

 

Cheese...

I worked on that stupid thing for 45 minutes. I'd like to think that I was careful taking it off, but try though I might, there was no bringing it back together again. I even had my mum's boyfriend pushing one side with a screwdriver while I pulled the other side toward it with pliers. Only resulted in a slipped screwdriver and a gash in my hand.

I put the new clamp on super tight and, despite one of the 3 "tabs" at the mouth of the hose being squooshed under the clamp, it seems to do the trick. Too wide and awkward, fer sher, but that hose isn't going anywhere. And I think the seal is ok, too. We shall see, I suppose.

 

You'll be fine. The OEM on the clamps is Oetiker if you want a new one.

http://www.oetiker.com/

 

Someone should do a pictoral showing the operation of the stock oetiker clamps. Once it is understood how they are used, removal and installation is a 5 second process.

 

^^ That would be brilliant! I'd volunteer, but then you'd just get a pictorial on how to gouge your hand with a screwdriver. :smile: