I'm planning to fit an intercooler shortly. Just wondering what type of material to use for the air intake piping - aluminium (polished) or stainless steel? It's only going to be 9 psi set up. Am I right in believeing that stainless is stronger, but aluminium is lighter?

im fairly sure that alliminium is better for heat transfer reasons.

the strength of the alloy isnt a drama for its application.
aluminium is HEAPS lighter than stainless.
they both have plenty of chrome content in them so they can both be polished to a mirror. aluminium will heat up faster than stainless (not by much, and after 5 mins everything is heat soaked anyway!) but aluminium will also cool much faster...
aluminium is much softer than stainless and will scratch much easier, and is a little harder to maintain a good mirror look...
aluminium is cheaper also...

Aluminium does not have Chrome.......


Aluminium alloys basically contain Aluminium, Silica, Zinc and Magnesium.

Alumium has a very good lustre, but when you compare it to chrome plating it is alot more "white". It polishes up well because its also soft.




Anyways I did my piping from stainless only because I didnt have a AC tig unit at home and stainless was available at work (free too). Go for the aluminium as the weight and ease is worth it.

Also Aluminium conducts heat very well, if it heats up it will be quick and cool down quicker where SS is the opposite. If you are going stainless, go as thin as possible (due to weight) but go the Ally if you can.