Fuel line recommendations

[Gizmosrcool]

I continue to work on inventorying parts as I wait for my kit. I am going with a Sniper EFI on a SBF. I have a Holley in tank fuel pump and it has 6an ports. I plan on grabbing the 10micron billet fuel filter and will use SS hard lines.

I found a 25’ of SS 3/8 line from Summit. It does not appear to be seamed. Will 25’ cover the send and return? If not I may need to go with one Inlinetube or a similar company and buy by the foot. I have a Eastwood flaring tool. Just need to practice.

Big question. I have no experience with the flex line. Any recommendations? I do see many notes not to mix and match fittings. I’d like to find a nice black braided line and blue fittings. I know manufacturer maybe preference and opinion. That is ok.

Any help and recommendations are appreciated. Thx. Tom

[txboiler]

In my experience 25’ will be more than enough. I ran 2 hard lines (one for pressure and one from return)from behind the rear axel along the 4” PS frame tube to the PS engine bay. I ran it up the engine side of of the PS footbox forward of the firewall. I ran flex line from the tank to the filter and then to the hard line for the pressure. If I recall I needed approximately 12’ total of flex line (including some extra for routing options . I would recommend a flex line that is PTFE lined flex line so that you have flexibility for high ethanol based fuel. I would use name brand tubing and their fittings.

[facultyofmusic]

25' was enough for both send and return on my roadster with about 4' left over. My route is also a bit longer than those of JohnK and edwardb, since their end on the side of the footwell and mine bend and extend at the top. Here's my fuel line route: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?40301-Danny-Boy-s-Roadster-Build-Can-thread-sealer-goop-oxidize-brass-under-high-heat&p=476615&viewfull=1#post476615

[Mike.Bray]

I bought a 25' roll and had quite a bit left over. If you do 3/8" stainless steel you definitely want a good straightener like this one. https://www.eastwood.com/tube-straightener.html

TBH, I wasn't very impressed with the Summit SS tubing, it had a tendency to crack when flaring, even with an aircraft quality 37 degree flaring too. If you use the Summit tubing you're probably better off with compression fittings like these https://www.holley.com/brands/earls/products/plumbing_an_fittings_and_hose/hardline/compression_adapters/ I may still swap them out.

FYI, don't attempt to double flare stainless tubing, SS tubing should be 37 degree single flare.

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20220707095922mediumrotated.jpg

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20220707095937mediumrotated.jpg

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20220707184647mediumrotated.jpg

For the flex lines I've always used Earl's and never had a problem. This time I tried Hot Rod Fuel Hose https://hotrodfuelhose.com/

I was very impressed with the quality and the service. I think it's a small Mom & Pop operation so that's cool. I got PTFE lined hose for a fair price.

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20220707100003mediumrotated.jpg

[CaptB]

Why not use this and only run 1 line:

https://breezeautomotive.com/shop/fuel-filter-regulator-and-single-line-kit-for-sniper-in-roadster/

[JohnK]

I agree with others that 25' will be enough if you don't mess anything up. It's easy to mess up stainless steel, as you can only bend it once. I bought a relatively inexpensive roll of Nicopp to practice with and get my layout and bending technique sorted out before attempting to make the lines out of SS. I flared my brake lines with the Eastwood tool, but I didn't buy the separate die to do AN flares. Instead I used these Let-Lok fittings from Breeze (https://breezeautomotive.com/shop/fitting-3-8-od-tube-to-06an-male-316-stainless-steel/) to terminate the 3/8" fuel lines. They work great and are pretty foolproof. I agree with others on using name-brand components and PTFE-lined hose for the flexible bits. I used Aeroquip but there are other quality brands out there that will work just as well. This is not an area where you want to shop for bargains on Amazon, IMO.

[Gizmosrcool]

Thx Everyone for all the recommendations. I am normally a Holly/Earls guy but the cost for the the PTFE line seems pretty high.

Mike. I do like the hot rod fuel hoses you shared. That is pretty good value and they look nice. I don’t see any bad reviews so I’ll give it a look and may go for it. I do like that bracket that holds the start and end of the hard line. Is that something you made? It looks cool.

Not sure I will flare the ends or use a compression end. That may be more my style. I need to practice.

anyone use inline tube SS? Mike said it was so so. In-line tube is 50% more.

Thx. Tom

[Mike.Bray]

Mike. I do like the hot rod fuel hoses you shared. That is pretty good value and they look nice. I don’t see any bad reviews so I’ll give it a look and may go for it. I do like that bracket that holds the start and end of the hard line. Is that something you made? It looks cool.

The flex hoses assembled nicely, I think easier than the Earl's ones. Watch their video and follow it. I found the trick is to start the nut on the hose and then use a deep socket to push/twist it on. I got to where I could get the nut on the hose in just a few seconds with very little effort. The second trick is to use a good size taper punch to form the hose back round and open it up some for final assembly.
And use the special vice jaws, well worth the money.

Those bulkhead brackets I made from 1x1x1/8 aluminum angle. Very simple.

[JohnK]

I used 25' rolls of 3/8" and 3/16" SS from Inline Tube for brake and fuel lines. Seems like good stuff to me, but it was my first time fabbing my own lines so not much to compare it to. Buy a good tubing straightener like this one from Eastwood (https://www.eastwood.com/tube-straightener.html) if you're going to buy SS tubing in rolls. the 3/8", in particular, is a little finicky to straighten out, but doable.

[Bart Carter]

...I bought a relatively inexpensive roll of Nicopp to practice with and get my layout and bending technique sorted out before attempting to make the lines out of SS...

Why didn't you use Nicopp for fuel line?

[JohnK]

Why didn't you use Nicopp for fuel line?

Purely looks. Nothing wrong with Nicopp. It would have worked just as well as SS and is far easier to work with. I just preferred the look of SS brake and fuel lines.

[Gizmosrcool]

I am using SS for the same reason. Looks. Even though it rarely will be seen. But I will see it.

[D Stand]

I used the HotRodFuelHose as well. Everything worked out well. They have a lot of color options and a few good articles explaining the different types of flex lines available and why you should not use regular rubber line.

[Gizmosrcool]

Thx D STand. I do like the HotRod stuff.

I need to sort out the various connections. My Holley 12-345 in tank fuel pump has a 6 o-ring. The Holley 175gph post filter has a 3/8 NPT. I know that NPT is a taper connector and need some sealant of some sort. I can get a Holley fuel regulator in either NPT or 6-oring. The whole o-ring thing is new for me. I also need to learn to flare SS line or get compression fittings for 6AN-male. I will try to flare the SS and learn that. It will look nicer.

Summit has some pretty nice line seperators HERE (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-440373).
170078

I am finding the attention to detail is important. I sent HotRod a note to confirm the part numbers and will order shortly.

Tom