Vacuum hose replacement: rubber vs silicone?

[tiinytina]

I would like to replace all of them and silicone seems to be the vac hose of choice. I bought a "kit" of red silicone hoses but none seem to fit. All the silicone hoses also seem to come in metric sizes.... all the hoses on the engine that I pulled off are either 5/16 or 3/8 in OD but both have an ID of 3/16... in metric that is 4.75mm. Wondering if I should go with 4mm or 5mm.  and does the thickness differ? 

There seems to be no search bar today and in 5 years on the site never seen this question....

Tina

[Froggy1936]

Hi Tina The material does not matter Silicone will outlast rubber and handle oil contamination better both will do the job. wall thickness (as long as its heavy enough not to collapse) makes no difference The only and most important measurement is that there in no leak at any connection to tight is better than loose.  Keep all hoses away from exaust (melts) Frank

[tiinytina]

http://www.boostcontroller.com/index.php?category=8&PHPSESSID=f805e5580737fbe7248020af15de8542 this is the product I'm thinking about buying... haven't found any in non-metric sizes.

Tina