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Two new products launched this month

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aluminium pipesAugust has been a busy month here at Viper Performance and we are excited as we have two new products launching at the end of August. Hose Joiners are ideal for joining hoses for Intercoolers, Radiators, Air inductions or superchargers. The two additions to our product range this month are:

Super Long 90° Elbow Aluminium Hose Joiner

Our first product launch will be a super Long 90° Elbow Aluminium Hose Joiner. Manufactured from 6063 billet aluminium these are high quality hose joiners with a super long 300x300mm leg length. They are roll beaded and polished so they look great.

  1. 1.5 wall – 32mm outer diameter – 32mm centreline radius – BUY NOW
  2. 1.8 wall – 51mm outer diameter – 63.56mm centreline radius – BUY NOW
  3. 1.7 wall – 63mm outer diameter – 73.025mm centreline radius – BUY NOW

Quality L Shape aluminium 90° elbow hose joiner

Produced from 6063 billet aluminium these L shape hose joiners with a 500x150mm leg length. These L shape hose joiner are available in the following sizes:

  1. 1.5 wall – 32mm outer diameter – 32mm centreline radius – BUY NOW
  2. 1.8 wall – 51mm outer diameter – 63.56mm centreline radius – BUY NOW
  3. 1.7 wall – 63mm outer diameter – 73.025mm centreline radius – BUY NOW

 

Would you pass a theory test?

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Theory TestIf you’ve been driving for years then chances are it’s been a long time since you clued up on the theory behind the driving. So the question is would you still pass?

We all like to think we have retained the knowledge from when we learnt but do you really know your stuff. Some questions on the theory test can seem simple and completely obvious but others testing signage knowledge or scenario based questions can catch you off-guard.

Theory Test

The theory test requires you to answer 50 questions in 57 minutes and you must answer 43 correctly, which is an 86% pass mark. In 2016/17 the pass rate for the theory test was 48.7%, which means over half of all people who take the test fail.

If you are intrigued as to how you would do in a theory test, then why not take a practice to see how you get on. There is a practice theory test available on the gov.uk website.

Hazard Perception

Whilst you’re at it see how you fair with the hazard perception test as well. The hazard perception segment of the test was introduced in 2002 so anyone over the age of 33 won’t ever have taken this test.

There are 14 questions in the hazard perception test and you will need to get 44 marks out 75 available to pass. This test is scored a little differently. In 13 of the questions, there is one developing hazard you need to spot. One question, which can appear at any time, will have two developing hazards. You need to click the mouse as soon as you see a danger ahead. Each question carries a maximum of five marks dependent on how quickly you click the mouse. Don’t be tempted to click too early though as you will get no marks for that question.

It can be great fun to see what the test entails and what your hazard perception skills are like.  You can take the free hazard perception test on the Safe Driving for life website.

*Both of these free tests are just for practice and the real tests may differ in content.

 

Regardless of whether you pass or not I’m sure you love to drive. Check out our online shop we have lots of products available to boost the performance of your car. 

 

 

 

 

Adding your logo to a silicone hose

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own logo on silicone hoseOne of the things we pride ourselves on, here at Viper Performance, is giving our trade customers the best possible product but still giving them the freedom to build there own brands. As such, unlike other silicone hose manufacturers, we are happy to add your own logos to our silicone hoses. This means you can have our great quality hoses with your own branding. In most cases we even offer a 3 year guarantee on non Viper branded hoses.

The process of applying a logo to a silicone hose

We have two methods, which we use to add a companies logos to a silicone hose.

Method 1 – Colour Logos long term regular orders

The most common method for branding hoses is a special printing method where we print your logo onto a run of plastic material. This requires artwork setup, printing plates and a minimum print run. The miniumum print run will give you anything from 800-1200 meters. Each metre will have your logo repeated many times. Budget £280-£380 depending on the size and colours. The process of adding the logo can only be done at the time of building the hose onto uncured silicone. The ink material will bond into the silicone at the curing stage in the oven. It is impossible to add a logo at a later stage. We don’t charge any more for

Method 2 – Black and white logo for small batches

We have developed a stencil, which costs just £90. The ink is hand painted, there will therefore be an addition charge to apply the logo.

Please Note: We will not print 3rd party brands or registered trade marks, you must own the rights and we will not accept and liability for artwork supplied to us.

For more information about custom logos please watch our YouTube video demonstrating how our process works below:


Are you a fabricator? We have recently written a blog on how we can help fabricators  take a look to see how we could supply you with the highest quality products for producing a range of car systems.

How we can help fabricators

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Car fabricatorsWe love helping fabricators by supplying high quality, reliable and superbly priced aluminium pipes and silicone hoses. Our team is passionate about producing high quality parts and we only use the best materials.

By creating strong relationships with fabricators of car parts we are been able to supply high quality parts, which can be turned into even better systems and resold for great returns. Our customer service is at the heart of what we do and we will always be on hand to help you with any query you have. We have an array of products available from stock or can create bespoke products if minimum orders are met.

Car systems that can be fabricated from our products:

  • Intercooler systems
  • Radiator hoses
  • Air induction
  • Superchargers
  • Intercooler systems

Benefits of choosing Viper Performance:

  • Trade accounts can buy direct from Viper at discounted
    prices (minimum orders apply).
  • The largest range of shapes, sizes, and diameters available immediately from stock.
  • Professional team always on hand to help
  • Confidentiality and integrity is always assured.
  • Unlike many other suppliers we are happy to put your branding on our products

If you are interested in our services and products then drop us an email at sales@viper-performance.co.uk or call us on 01952 670 702.

5 Tips to keep your car cool

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keep car coolWe are in the midst of the longest heatwave to hit the UK in 5 years. The Met Office stated that Sunday 8th was the hottest day in England this year when Gosport, Hampshire, reached 32.4C (90.3F). Porthmadog in north Wales holds the UK record for 2018 of 33C on 28 June. So with temperatures in excess of 30C how can you keep your car cool?

Air conditioning is great, for those who have it, but it doesn’t eliminate the issues when you first enter the car. If you’ve been parked directly in the sun for a long period of time then seats and steering wheels can become unbearably hot. To help you out we have compiled some tips on keeping your car cool:

1. Park in a shaded area

If possible the best way to keep your car cool is to find a shaded area to park. Try to ignore your instinct to park in the closest parking space, instead opt for a shaded spot. A slightly longer walk will be worth it when you enter a cooler car.

2. Cover your steering wheel

Probably the worst part of your car to sit in the sun is your steering wheel. Any driver will now that especially leather steering wheels are sometimes too hot to handle. Popping a small towel over your steering wheel could prevent temperatures getting too hot.

3. Use a sunshade

One of the most successful ways to keep your car cool is of course to invest in a sunshade or visor.

4. Throw blankets over your seats

If your car has leather seats you know just how hot these materials can become when exposed to sunlight and high temperatures. A quick and easy way to keep car seats cool is to throw blankets over them. Keeping your seats cool will make your car a much more pleasant place to be on a hot summers day.

5. Keep your possessions out of sight

As well as the car components themselves getting too hot any possessions left in the car are susceptible to rising temperatures. Metal items for example sunglasses can quickly become extremely hot. Try to keep everything out of direct sunlight.

We hope these tips make your car a more habitable space until that lifeline of air conditioning kicks in. If you’re enjoying the sunshine why not check out our blog on the best UK driving roads a great guide to making the most of your driving experience.

We have also produced a blog on how to prepare your car for the summer here.

 

Jaguar I-Pace wins Car of the year 2018

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Jaguar I-PaceI like driving in my car, it’s not quite a Jaguar!

Oh how I wish it was after Auto Express made the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace its Car of the Year for 2018.

In a world, which is on the precipice of an electric car revolution, the I-Pace really is a look into the future. Pushing the boundaries of technology but without compromising on quality or performance this is a car to envy.

Jaguars first all electric vehicle

Many have heralded the I-Pace as a triumph especially as Jaguar’s first effort at an electric vehicle. They have taken all the elements that people want in a car and fused them into one premium, high performance and practical vehicle.

With a top speed of 124mph and a 0 to 60-acceleration time of 4.5 seconds, the I-Pace is set to rival Tesla in the world of electric vehicles. With speed, comfort, refinement and practicality, it covers so many bases. The fact Jaguar has achieved this in an all-electric vehicle first time is something that should be commended.

The I-Pace’s Impressive Stats

Eurekar wrote a great article back in March detailing some of the impressive stats of the Jaguar I-Pace:

• Top speed of 124mph
• 0 to 60 acceleration time of 4.5 seconds,
• zero Emissions
• potential range of almost 300 miles on a single charge
• Powered by two electric motors – with a combined 400ps and 696Nm of torque on tap.
• Charging to 80 per cent can be done in 45 minutes from a rapid charger

We are bound to see many manufacturers releasing premium electric cars over the next few years, but at this particular moment in time Jaguar has beaten all of its established competition. A worthy winner of Car of the Year 2018.

If you’re not lucky enough to have a Jaguar either then maybe we have some products that could upgrade your existing car. Take a look at our shop here.

Choosing the right hose clamp

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Engine bays encompass a myriad of different hoses, each carrying a different fluid with different requirements. Hoses in ageing vehicles should be inspected and replaced if necessary. It is however also important to inspect and replace the clamps that attach these vital hoses to a car’s components. They are just as important as the hose itself, and failure can result in catastrophe. We have detailed the two types of hose clamps that we currently sell to make your selection easier.

Stainless Steel Worm Drive Hose Clamp

Worm drive hose clampThese worm drive clamps are the more traditional selection for securing hoses. They are perfect for clamping silicone hoses and rubber hoses thanks to the “slot free” smooth band. Our MIKALOR W3 stainless steel worm drive hose clamps are of high quality stainless steel and unlike some other brands, these clamps will not tear and cut into the hose as you tighten.

Buy Here

 

 

Stainless Steel T Bolt clamp 

t bolt hose clampT Bolt clamps are commonly used for high pressure applications where other clamps simply pop off. They are also strong enough for clamping Exhausts and are ideal for use for turbos and Intercoolers. Thanks to their stainless steel wide band, and totally smooth inner band a high torque seal is achieved without ruining the hose.

Buy Here

 

We also sell:

304 Grade Stainless Steel Cable / ZIP ties. These are ideal for fastening Exhaust wrap, wires, or areas under high temperatures. These are a great alternative as high temperatures would normally melt traditional plastic ties. Buy them here.

No cheap carbon coated pipes here

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carbon fibre pipesAs well as our silicone hoses an aluminium pipes we also have a range of top quality Japanese Toray real carbon fiber pipes available. Supplied either as 90 or 45 degree bends or straight sections which are 300mm in length. You can take a look at our range here.

There are many cheap carbon coated pipes available on the market which give the appearance of carbon but these are merely good for aesthetic purposes. Our pipes are made with quality real carbon meaning they give you all of the advantages of this superb material. Carbon fiber is super light, and very strong which makes it ideal for air intake systems and more. We have listed some of the great benefits of this material below:

  • Lightweight – carbon fiber is a low density material with a very high strength to weight ratio
  • High tensile strength – when it comes to tension carbon fibre is one of the strongest of all commercial reinforcing, it is very difficult to stretch or bend
  • Low thermal expansion – carbon fibre will expand or contract much less in hot or cold conditions than other materials such as steel and aluminum
  • Exceptional durability – carbon fibre has superior fatigue properties compared to metal, meaning components made of carbon fiber won’t wear out as quickly under stresses associated with constant use
  • Corrosion-resistance – when appropriate resins are used, carbon fibre is one of the most corrosion-resistant materials available

You can take a look at our range of carbon fibre pipes here. Or for more information watch our YouTube video below:

Are Silicone Hoses fuel resistant?

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fuel hoses

This is a question we know gets asked often. Can you use silicone hoses for fuel hoses? Well standard silicone hoses are porous and therefore not suitable for oil or fuel. There are flurosilicone liners, which are specially formulated to prevent oil from penetrating the wall but we would not recommend these for Fuel lines, or heavy use of Fuel Filling. Occasional fuel usage and vapour will be fine but there are better options when it comes to selecting fuel hoses:

Options for fuel hoses:

Two materials, which are better suited for fuel hose applications, are Nitrile Rubber and PTFE.

nitrile stainless steel fuel hoseNitrile rubber (NBR) is an oil-resistant synthetic rubber. Its main applications are in fuel hoses, gaskets, rollers, and other products in which oil resistance is required. Here at Viper we sell various products which utilise Nitrile Rubber. These are:

• SAE J30 R6 approved Nitrile Rubber fuel Hose – this fuel hose is fully compliant with SVA regulation and most types of fuel.

• Fuel Filler Hose – These hoses are made with a fuel resistant Nitrile Rubber lining and are perfect for using as a Fuel Filler Hose. These hoses are not Suitable for high octane fuels.

• Stainless Steel Braided Hoses – Superb Quality Stainless Steel Braided hose with tight double braiding and NBR offers a good bend radius, and high pressure use for Oil, fuel lines, Carburetor, water lines, vacuum.

Silicone hose coilPTFE or Polytetrafluoroethylene lined hoses can be used for a wide variety of chemicals, making it the ideal choice for very corrosive chemical applications and multiproduct applications. In some cases, PTFE has superior resistance to diffusion, for example to the diffusion of automotive fuels, in comparison with all other plastics and rubbers. We have top Quality Stainless Steel Braided hose available lined with PTFE. The pressure rating makes it suitable for use as Brake Lines, Clutch Lines, Oil and fuel.

Need to buy fuel hoses?

You can find all of these products on our online shop. We have a dedicated fuel hoses section which is available here.

fuel hoses shop

8 ways to upgrade your car

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If you are striving for better performance but can’t afford a car with better specs then you will be looking for upgrades. Upgrading a car can be a great way of achieving the speed, acceleration and efficiency you’re after for a fraction of the cost. Upgrades can range from small tweaks to big system changes. Below we have listed 8 ways to upgrade your car for better performance:

Upgraded Tyres1. Choose better tyres

One of the most obvious upgrades is to choose better quality tyres for your car. Power and performance are great, but if you don’t have the grip from quality tyres to translate that to the road it will be a waste.

Equally if you want your car to perform in all weathers then you will need to ensure you are selecting the correct tyres for the conditions at hand. All weather tyres are a compromise on performance parameters and will likely not meet all users needs or expectations. Selecting a set of summer and winter tyres is the best solution for getting good traction and ensuring you have the ability to put the power to the ground. ‘Which’ have a great article on which tyres to buy here

Upgraded brake system2. Upgrade your Brakes

Arguably one of the most important performance factors is the ability to stop effectively. The better quality your brakes, the longer you can wait to engage them. In corners this means maintaining a higher rate of speed longer than your competitors. Whether it be simply purchasing better brake pads or upgrading the entire system investment in your braking will always be worth your time and money.

3. Install a cold air intake

It’s a fact the better your car breathes, the better it runs. Installing a cold-air intake not only frees up the airflow to your engine, it also feeds it cooler, more condensed air. By replacing your original intake pipe with one that was designed to maximize power, you will simultaneously increase horsepower, and fuel efficiency.

4. Swap out rubber hoses for Silicone Hoses

Upgraded silicone hoses

Another upgrade would be to swap out the standard rubber hoses in your car for better quality silicone versions. Compared to rubber, silicone has superior heat tolerance. The reason this is important is if, for example, you add a nice turbocharger to your engine and don’t upgrade your hoses at the same time you will potentially drive all that extra heat into hoses that aren’t equipped to handle it.

Another reason to upgrade your hoses is that rubber hoses are prone to cracking, getting stiff, or becoming dry rotted over time. Silicone is a very stable material that acts almost like new, even when it’s not. Anyone who has had a hose leak will know what a headache this is to diagnose and correct so upgrading to silicone will definitely impact your performance for the better. You can buy silicone hoses direct from us here

If you’re interested in the specific benefits of silicone hoses then read our blog on what difference silicone hoses make here

5. Exhaust System Modification

Often people think of upgrades to exhaust systems as a purely noise inducing tasks. But as well as giving you a nicer exhaust note when accelerating you can also see improvements in power. Installing a brand new stainless steel exhaust to an older car will result in a big difference as exhaust cats can get clogged up over time meaning performance slowly decreases.

If you choose to install a performance exhaust you could see an increase in power output as the performance exhaust will usually be wider in diameter. This allows more air gases to escape, which in turn increases power output.

6. Upgrade your Spark Plugs

Standard spark plugs often have troubles firing, which can decrease the speed and reliability of a car therefore upgrading your spark plugs will enhance your car’s performance. With newer high performance spark plugs, misfires are far less frequent. This reduces the emissions from the car whilst in turn increasing fuel efficiency.

7. Add a Turbo charger

A turbo charger allows a car to burn more fuel each second. That’s why a turbocharged car can produce more power. Turbos are more efficient than superchargers and can provide a significant increase in horsepower. Not only that but turbo chargers are to improve fuel economy by as much as 20-40%.

8. Add an Exhaust Wrap

We recently wrote a blog on ‘why you should have an exhaust wrap’ which detailed its fantastic heat protection properities. By adding an exhaust wrap to your heat you will see a reduction in temperatures around resulting in more horsepower. This increase in horsepower is down to increased engine efficiency as the exhaust wrap keeps heat in the header instead of it dissipating around the engine. You can buy exhaust wraps from us here

If you’ve upgraded your car recently we’d love to hear how you did it and what performance enhancements you have achieved as a consequence. Get in touch on our Twitter page @viperhoses. We have lots of products available in our online shop. Visit our shop