question about smooth tubes

[vinny2]

is there any difference, as far as performance, between chrome tubes and "regular" ones?

 

[joe117]

There will be no difference in performance between chrome and plastic smooth tubes.
There will be no improvement over the stock intake when you install smooth tubes.
They just look nice, I have them on my car and I like them.
They will not make any power that can be measured.

 

[vinny2]

thanks joe.

 

[Matt M PA]

I would respectfully disagree about the power claim made by Joe117.

The only powertrain difference between a ACR and a GTS is the smooth hoses and K&N filters. Dodge claims a 10HP increase for the ACR over the GTS due to this. Now...can you feel that extra 10HP in a car that starts with 450HP? Hmm.

I made my own smooth hoses out of commonly available Gates hose, and bought the filters locally. The black hoses look stock and the car now has a noticeable whistle at certain throttle positions.

 

[joe117]

Matt,
I didn't say anything about filters. The K&Ns will get you some power.
The smooth tubes won't get you anything but a cleaner look with some added chrome or color, a little louder intake and perhaps a convinient place to shoot the nitrous.

I like smooth tubes, I have them. I just don't believe that a small handfull of hp out of 450 is within the measuring tolerance of any dyno.
"They will not make any power that can be measured."
That's what I said. That's what I meant.

The dyno will for sure measure things that the driver will never feel SOTP. If the dyno can't see the change, you will never feel it and it will not show up in your 1/4 mile times.

 

[vinny2]

you guys know a lot more than i do, but my original question was simply other than appearance, is there any difference between plastic and chrome?

 

[GR8_ASP]

The smooth tube effect is much more pronounced on a Gen I where the smooth tubes eliminate not only the corrugated hose but also a big inlet resonator. The combo in a Gen I nets over 15 hp. Chrome versus rubber should not make a significant difference except for us posers.

 

[joe117]

Ron,
I thought I remember Sean Roe saying there was no gain with tubes.