Do I really need these IC pressure pipe seals?

[HFR_Racer]

The previous owner never ran the following turbo to pressure pipe and pressure pipe to IC seals. I've been only running the o-rings and they seem to seal fine. How many of you guys with K27's and Kokeln IC's are running with or without the 930-110-230-00-M100 and 930-110-379-00 seals? I assume that they can provide some insurance for proper sealing but I'm not convinced that they are needed. I'm getting ready to order a couple of new o-ring seals and was wondering if I should add these other seals to my order.

Opinions please

[JFairman]

No and neither of them have a thing to do with sealing the turbo air pressure in the charge pipe.

The bottom one #20 is there to sort of seal the gap around the charge pipe to the engine tin to keep some exhaust and turbo heat from being sucked into the engine compartment.

The upper one #3 by it's design can not seal air pressure at all, it is only there to cosmetically hide the gap between the top of the charge pipe and the intercooler flange

Early seventies or maybe just 1976 930 charge pipes had a longer deeper top flange and would butt up flush with the intercooler flange and one of those black rubber seals won't fit in the gap.

It's an overengineered crap design but thats what it is if you stay stock and the upper and lower internal red orings that are hidden from view when installed do ALL the turbo air pressure sealing.

ALL race cars use multi ply high temp silicone hose with clamps for sealing the turbo charge piping, and it's alot cheaper too.

..and if there is another car using orings for that they were mislead.

[HFR_Racer]

Thank you for the information.

[DGW]

Originally Posted by JFairman

Early seventies or maybe just 1976 930 charge pipes had a longer deeper top flange and would butt up flush with the intercooler flange and one of those black rubber seals won't fit in the gap.

76 and 77 930's don't have an intercooler.

[JFairman]

you're right.
an early charge pipe i have is deeper in the oring flange and i got it a few years ago with some other 1976 parts.

[A930Rocket]

Mine were ditched ages ago. Got tired of fooling with them when working on the car.

[RarlyL8]

Jim's right, those seals are mostly aesthetic but they do help seal the joint when new and plyable.
Most of the K27 turbos do not use o-rings so seal #20 is replaced by an adapter or hose.
Most aftermarket intercoolers do not use o-rings so seal #3 is replaced by a hose.
For the hotrod folks it is common practice to use hoses and ditch the o-rings. For those who wish to preserve the stock look these seals add a finished appearance and do help seal the piped system as it moves around during heat cycles. With these cars the intercooler is typically not removed so often so not a big deal.

[mark houghton]

I call them beauty rings, and can remember the first time I had the IC off, wondering just what the hell good those lose fitting things were for. They currently reside in a box somewhere.

Speaking of beauty rings, I took my wheels down last summer to the local tire changing shop where some young kid was entrusted to do me a tire change. His comment when he took the wheels out the back of my truck: "Are those beauty rings?" - referring to the polished surface of the wheels. When I said no and held myself back from kicking him in the nuts, he said "oh....nice wheels". Duh.

[mooney265]

I have an Garrett Intercooler with a K27. Can I eliminate #19 and replace it with a Silicon Hose? Any pics of this?? Thanks

Originally Posted by HFR_Racer