OEM Charge Pipe finally blew

[Cavpilot2k]

So I finally (84k miles, the last 60k of which have had the Dinan Stage 2 tune) lost my charge pipe today.

Cruising along on the highway, punched it, and there was a loud pop sound and instant jerk, almost like I had been hit.
The car continued to drive though with no cockpit indications. The sound was a little different, however, and I could feel a change in engine response.

Immediately I suspected the charge pipe, pulled off the next exit and investigated. Sure enough. It wasn't a total deflagration though - just a piece blown off at the C clamp.

I was close to home, so I shoved the pipe back on as best I could and limped it home.

Now the car is deadlined while I order a pipe and install it.

Recommendations for pipes? I know VRSF is a popular and inexpensive option, but I've heard the silicone sleeve can be a real bitch on it.
It's an N55, so it's not like there are features - it's just a pipe for air. My main focus is on easy installation.

[HyeWarrior]

Every charge pipe is gonna require some elbow grease to fit on. Just get the VRSF pipe (cheapest option). Like you said, its just a damn pipe lol. Some advice though, get some plumbers tape, wrap up the bolts blocking the meth bungs, and rescrew them into the bungs. One of mine had fallen out and gave me some codes and limp mode. $3 fix lol.

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by HyeWarrior

Every charge pipe is gonna require some elbow grease to fit on. Just get the VRSF pipe (cheapest option). Like you said, its just a damn pipe lol. Some advice though, get some plumbers tape, wrap up the bolts blocking the meth bungs, and rescrew them into the bungs. One of mine had fallen out and gave me some codes and limp mode. $3 fix lol.

Good tip. I also have some Loc-Tite lying around, so maybe I'll just go that route.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Pretty common.. We deal with 1-2 CP failures a day here..

VRSF / Evolution Racewerks are both good brands.. If opting for a BOV I would go with TIAL.

Why we recommend it as an upgrade before it blows..

Mike

[Cavpilot2k]

Question about the mounting clips:

I watched one video that showed a wide black clip on the bottom side of the pipe and the silver retaining clip on the top. That was a 335 though, and not sure if it was an N54 or 55.

Anyway, I keep hearing about the "C" clip. I still have the silver retaining clip - it parked itself right next to the O-ring in the engine bay just below the CP.

Does the N55 135 have that black bottom clip? If so, do I need to replace it too? I am leaning toward thinking it was not on my CP and that the video was either an N54 or just something the 335 has that the 135 does not.

Some clarification would be helpful.

[asiflicious]

ARMmotorsports is cheaper than VRSF

[SamelCamel]

+1 on the Evolution Racewerks charge pipe. I like that it has the original mounting bracket on it.

-Sam

[BennySGF]

I just replaced mine with the Phoenix/BMS pipe for stock DV’s. It fit just fine and I’ve had no issues with it. If you plan on sticking with the stock DV’s, I would recommend it.

[asiflicious]

I really need to get a CP soon. 46.5K miles, 16k of which has been FBO, it's only a matter of time. But I'm going to wait it out until it actually blows. There are more fun mods to have than a CP

[The Wind Breezes]

Why is it I see one of these threads pop up every so often? This is a universal issue that's been overdocumented to death. Search, man, search. Google will lead you to a good pipe. For God's sake, it's a tube with a coupling a hole for a sensor a couple clamps and maybe a meth bung. You're not buying a heart transplant. Just get the cheapest thing made for your model.

Originally Posted by asiflicious

I really need to get a CP soon. 46.5K miles, 16k of which has been FBO, it's only a matter of time. But I'm going to wait it out until it actually blows. There are more fun mods to have than a CP

Considering how little it costs to buy a charge pipe and the fact that yours will inevitably blow, not only leaving you with vastly reduced power but with exposure to debris that will mess up your valve seats for the duration you run with the blown pipe, not getting one preemptively is just dumb.

[asiflicious]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

Why is it I see one of these threads pop up every so often? This is a universal issue that's been overdocumented to death. Search, man, search. Google will lead you to a good pipe. For God's sake, it's a tube with a coupling a hole for a sensor a couple clamps and maybe a meth bung. You're not buying a heart transplant. Just get the cheapest thing made for your model.

Considering how little it costs to buy a charge pipe and the fact that yours will inevitably blow, not only leaving you with vastly reduced power but with exposure to debris that will mess up your valve seats for the duration you run with the blown pipe, not getting one preemptively is just dumb.

If I get a CP, I'm going to get a BOV too. Now we're looking at 400+, or as I see it half the cost of a proper shock and damper set up. Main reason I'm in not in any rush I'd because I have my friends old oem CP lying around at home so if it does blow tomorrow, I won't be completely fucked. I'll put the oem CP on as a temporary measure until the new one arrives

[tock172]

I popped my factory charge pipe last year while I was still under warranty, under the exact same circumstances described by OP. I phoned my dealer immediately and they replaced it promptly with another genuine replacement. The break occurred right here the charge pipe meets the intercooler.

If the factory design fails again, I'll be in the market for one of the upgraded suggestions in this thread.

[Cavpilot2k]

I went with VRSF because my preferred vendor had it in stock and I needed it ASAP. I just completed the install. Took about 45 minutes. I didn't have to remove the airbox or any other components except I unbolted the power steering element so I could move it around a little, and I rotated the original CP mount out of the way, since it's not needed.

FWIW, I had heard the VRSF silicone sleeve was a real pain in the dick, but I used some silicone sex lube (no kidding) on the inside of the silicone sleeve and that thing slid around on the other parts like a greased monkey, so give it a shot when the time comes.

[asiflicious]

Originally Posted by asiflicious

I really need to get a CP soon. 46.5K miles, 16k of which has been FBO, it's only a matter of time. But I'm going to wait it out until it actually blows. There are more fun mods to have than a CP

Mine blew literally only a few hours after posting this. I jinxed myself. Waiting on my VRSF CP and HKS BOV as we speak