Braided hose - brand opinions desired

[John Larkin]

I've decided to build a double pumper, increase the feed line to -8, and use the OEM feedline as a return. Nothing surprising here but choosing a brand of hose is my immediate concern. I've been told Earl's brand hose has the best fitment of the braided covering while Russell and Aeroquip are sub-par. There is also a much less expensive brand of British-made hose (the brand name escapes me). I'd like to hear experienced comments. I can get minimum bend radius' from the manufacturer on my own. Also, do I follow the OEM feedline when installing or is there a better route forward in the car? Length of hose required would also be helpful since this stuff isn't cheap. Thanks!

P.S. By going to the Earl's shop here, I found a fitting that will thread into the fuel rail that adapts it to -8 AN. I will have to use a copper crush washer to seal it and cut approx 1/4" off the rail side of the fitting but this is a clean, simple alternative to cut/weld/fabricate. The fitting through Earl's is P/N 9919EFJ and it's $9. Nice!

[jmidolo]

I've decided to build a double pumper, increase the feed line to -8, and use the OEM feedline as a return.

Damn, you're going big-time now!

[Bruce]

I've decided to build a double pumper, increase the feed line to -8, and use the OEM feedline as a return.

If you measure the ID's the -8 and related fittings all work out to being really close to the stock 3/8" line. Replacing all of it won't get you much if any real difference in actual flow. Redoing the stock pressure side hose where it leaves the oem tube by the frame rail is the restriction in the system, IMO. Reflare the tubing with a new 3/8" tube nut on the end, and then use a 3/8" tube to 3/8 pipe, and then a 3/8 pipe to -8 there is what I consider the answer. The stock 1/4" line is fine for the return if you're using a double pumper, from what I've seen. Using AN just for the sake of using it is expensive in my book.

I haven't seen any difference in the lines, from one brand to another. The Earl's Fittings are more difficult to assemble, and seem to be a little easier to get wrong, which can be impossible to find. You can sliver the inner hose with the Earl's and you never find it without taking it apart, but then you can't reassemble it. The Earl's do have a slightly bigger ID, on the fittings, but the downside is the sharper inner end that can sliver the hose internally.
And the Ear's can be bought with the swivel ends.

For the price and ease of use I've gone to using the Russell, and then drilling out all the fittings to get them correct.

If you look at my Galley Pics here you can see my AN lines, and how I did things. The -8 will be moved further away from the serpentine when I get the new manifold on...

[JayC]

The only real problem with not increasing the return line is that you lose control over fuel pressure at WOT because the regulator gets backed up not being able to return the fuel fast enough.

Doing a double pumper, tho, it's going to be tough to get anything much bigger than a -8 over top of the tank without having clearance problems.

I personally would run -8 for the feed and use the stock feed as the return. Be sure to either A) punch a hole through your fuel filter or B) Turn it around backwards.

BTW, Im partial to Aeroquip hose, although Ive had it all burst on me at some point.

Good luck

[Bruce]

The only real problem with not increasing the return line is that you lose control over fuel pressure at WOT because the regulator gets backed up not being able to return the fuel fast enough.

I personally would run -8 for the feed and use the stock feed as the return. Be sure to either A) punch a hole through your fuel filter or B) Turn it around backwards.


There shouldn't be that much fuel being returned at WOT.
If the return is too restricted then the symtom should be not being able to adjust the idle F/P since that's when the regulator is having to dump the largest volume of fuel back to the tank.

If you turn it around, there is still the possibility of if developing some restriction, and skewing the F/P setting. Probably only a one inna million chance, but for me that means, in the last round wondering what happened. <g>

[Louie L]

I personally like the Aeroquip pushlock hose. Its sturdy, durable and very affordable and so are the fittings. I also return a 2015 Weldon through the stock feed. No problems ever.I did remove the stock filter assy. and replaced it with a piece of EFI hose.

[LV GN]

I personally like the Aeroquip pushlock hose. Its sturdy, durable and very affordable and so are the fittings. I also return a 2015 Weldon through the stock feed. No problems ever.I did remove the stock filter assy. and replaced it with a piece of EFI hose.

what do you use for a regulator? thanks---len

[Louie L]

what do you use for a regulator? thanks---len
Len
I use a stock location Accufab regulator.Have plenty of control and adjustment. I also feed the stock fuel rail in the stock location though a -10.

[TTA850]

Len
I use a stock location Accufab regulator.Have plenty of control and adjustment. I also feed the stock fuel rail in the stock location though a -10.

I have the same setup with an Aeromotive a1000 pump and use the stock return with no problems.Did you modify the fuel rail like I did or use an adaptor?

Steve

[Louie L]

I have the same setup with an Aeromotive a1000 pump and use the stock return with no problems.Did you modify the fuel rail like I did or use an adaptor?

Steve

I actually use the stock return all the way to the frame connection. From there i jumped from the stock return to the stock feed and return to the tank. Again I used EFI hose(even tho there is no pressure on this side) along with efi clamps. :beerglass

[John Larkin]

That's exactly what I'm talking about Louie. Stock return off the regulator down the front of the block but changing over to the stock feed to bypass that tiny o-ring connection that is a bottleneck. With push-lock hose, it's hard to believe that it will withstand piercing like braided will. I'm leaning toward braided hose for the protection it offers in case something flys up from the ground or fragments under the car and decides to puncture the fuel line. Scary, yes; likely, no; but who ever expects the unexpected? For the difference in price, a year from now it won't matter, at least to me anyhow. I appreciate the input all the same and your clarification of using a portion of the stock return line.

Hey bruce, I'd still like to talk to you about an electronic project if you can drop me an email.

[Louie L]

John,
No problem. One thing tho. Donot discount the Aeroquip hose based only on the braid. The aeroquip hose is one tough product. Sure the external braiding is not stainless ,but its a woven nylon. It goes to a rubber hose casing then inside that is a extruded plastic polymer line which the fluid actually flows through.This is ver very different from other push lock style hoses which are basically a regular hose made for push fittings. They have no protection or special features.

I know what you are thinking, and NO i dont work for Aeroquip. But I had the same concerns before i actually took a good look at it.Check their site out just for fun. Just thought i clear the air on that one.

Glad i could help :beerglass