Hard Fuel Lines - 700 - 800 HP - Help Please!

[Bored&Stroked]

Hey Guys: I'm just about to the 'plumbing' stage on my build. I'm running a blown 392 Hemi with dual 750's - 34 Ford coupe. I have a Weldon 2025 pump, controller, regulator, etc.. From what I've read, it looks like I need -10 or -12 line from the tank to the pump and probably a -8 to the front, with a -8 return line from the regulator.

I think it would be very difficult to run hard lines - and I'm not a big believer in the soft aluminum stuff (just doesn't appear strong enough for a street car - especially over time).

So - should I go with a soft line (braided, etc) - or is there a hard line material that can actually be bent and will work in this application? What recommendations do you guys have?

Thanks

[Gordz32]

You'll need a little bender to do it but you can use 1/2" annealed stainless. I pretty sure that the braided lines will almost always leave your garage smelling like fuel.

[parsonsj]

I recommend T6 6061 aluminum .035 wall tube. You can get it in 6' straight lengths from McMaster-Carr, or longer with local metal supply stores.

It's much stronger than the fully annealed guess-the-alloy stuff that comes in coils.

The only hose to use for pump gas (setting permeation issues aside) is PTFE-based (Teflon-line) hose. You can get it at high-end places like Brown and Miller Racing. Here's a link: http://www.bmrs.net/smooth_main.htm

Name brand ss hose (Russell, Earl's, etc.) not only permeate fuel smell, but will fail within a few years.

jp

[mroth]

Interesting reply by John. I will keep your link available for when I start plumbing mine up.

Mike

[parsonsj]

I wrote a column on this issue once:

http://www.maxchevy.com/columns/parsons/iii_6-parsons-1.html

jp

[1969CamaroRS]

Name brand ss hose (Russell, Earl's, etc.) not only permeate fuel smell, but will fail within a few years. jp

Even the good Earl's stuff?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
http://www.holley.com/types/Perform-O-Flex%20Hose.asp

Sure the cheap stuff won't last long but the good stuff should last a long time.

[Yoda4561]

Those hoses are made more for well maintained race vehicles, the hoses don't stay on more than a couple seasons if that, and they don't need to deal with the new alcohol blended pump gasolines we have today.

[Bored&Stroked]

Thanks guys! I think it is going to be too difficult to run hard lines with the bends I need around my frame x-members - so I'm headed toward flexible lines. I will only run something with teflon/PTFE type core.

I did some more research and came up with a few hose options - all teflon, smooth bore products:

1) XRP - HS-79 - about $30 per foot for -8
2) Earls - Ultra-Flex 650 - about $30 per foot for -8
3) Pegasus - 811 PTFE, 910 PTFE (Their prices are about 1/3 of the other two per foot! - can't speculate on quality, but maybe worth checking out!)

An added benefit of the above hose types is that the ID is bigger than the old Earls type CPE hose - which is about .44. The IDs are:

1) Earls: .536 (-8)
2) XRP and Pegaus: .5 (-8)

Now I just have to decide on which company and whether or not I want crimp-on hoses. (I'm leaning toward XRP . . . but it will cost me my ass!)

I definitely won't be running the CPE/rubber lined crap - there are all sorts of warnings about it MIGHT decompose with modern fuel additives. Translation: seep, leak and start a fire!

[Bored&Stroked]

Even the good Earl's stuff?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
http://www.holley.com/types/Perform-O-Flex%20Hose.asp

Sure the cheap stuff won't last long but the good stuff should last a long time.

Here is what is on Earl's WEB site - for all CPE type hoses:

Installation Notes
Fuel manufacturers may have added any number of new unpublished additives to their blends. It is therefore difficult to know how the tube compound used in the inner liner of our Perform–O–Flex or any other brand of elastomeric hose will react with a specific fuel. Because of the unknowns described above, we are unable to guarantee that the hose listed is the best possible product to use with any specific fuel. If in doubt use teflon lined hose. Not to be used with brake fluid.

[parsonsj]

Nice research B&S. Thanks for the info!

jp

[CarlC]

The hose ends are the restriction, not the hose itself. The hose end has to fit into the hose bore, so the fitting has to be smaller.

[Bored&Stroked]

The hose ends are the restriction, not the hose itself. The hose end has to fit into the hose bore, so the fitting has to be smaller.

Good point - and restrictive bends or restrictive fittings are also an issue.

With that said, should -8 line (.500 id) be big enough to support 700 - 800 HP . . . or should I go to -10? I'd rather not have a "garden hose" from the pump to the engine compartment, but if I need it, I'll do it.

Researched the answer - looks like I should go to -10 all the way to the front . . . better safe than lean! Here is a good article on fuel line sizes, GPH, etc:

http://www.centuryperformance.com/fuelish-tendencies-understanding-fuel-pressure-and-volume-spg-140.html

[pitts64]

I ran dual 3/8" lines from my tank to my Carter mechanical pump. This set up feeds my 462 Poncho well. I have a Cliffs Quadrajet, they are hard to keep full.

If you go the hose route, this place sells heavy duty hydraulic hose and good prices... You can never have too big for a line feeding a fuel pump (Thats what RobbMc told me)..
http://www.discounthydraulichose.com/