EFI fuel lines?

[chally426]

Running a 6.1 in my Cuda and getting ready to install the fuel system. What are you guys doing as far as lines?
Im thinking of going with hard lines. 3/8" feed to regulator and a 3/8" return from regulator back to tank and 3/8" feed to fuel rails

Good/Bad??
 

[GreenFish]

Ive always preferred hard lines, not really sure why, they just seem more reliable to me.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I used to be a big proponent of hardlines but I will be using rubber/flex lines for my EFI setup. The current rubber lines are more than adequate, heck we're putting them on every Peterbilt and Kenworth truck that hits the road. Much easier to work with.

As for the fuel system itself, I will be integrating a GM fuel pump module of some sort with an internal regulator/return. That keeps me only having one fuel line leaving the tank and going right to the engine.

[quagmire]

3/8" on both sides is plenty for most builds.  I'd go hard line for reliability and cost.  If you are using flexible lines, you'd better spring for the more expensive teflon lined hose or you could be having leaks in a few years with the ever changing fuel additives they are using.

I'd also use mild steel instead of stainless unless you want to spend a lot of money on tools and pull your hair out working with the much harder material.  Your car will rot out before you have to replace them again anyways...

[chally426]

Yeah im using hard lines, Will use flex lines from the tank to the hard lines...So, 3/8 feed and 3/8 return is good? Or would a 5/16 return be O.K. Or does it matter...."OR" lol....is a bigger return line better?

[brads70]

I bought hose and fittings from here PTFE lined. I used stainless hard lines for the straight runs under the floorboards and the flexible PTFE 8an hose/fittings for the rest. Both links are the same company just different product lines. Very economical! 
 http://www.frozenboost.com/
http://www.anfittingsdirect.com/stainless-steel-lines/an--8-stainless-steel-hoses-p-1241.html

[67vertman]

I used a combination of hard lines and rubber lines.  Here in California, they now only sell fuel hoses for newer cars and the new line is about $7 a foot.  I run 3/8" fuel line and 5/16 return. Fuel pressure is set at 45lbs. no issues to date.

[chally426]

67vertman, what motor you running?

[Chryco Psycho]

I did EFI on a serious 440 build & went with a 3/8 hard line to each rail & a 3/8 single return from the pressure reg back but it dynoed at over 700 HP .
 So maybe a single 1/2 " line forward with a 3/8 return will be better to be sure it doesn't starve .
 On a side note I always use JIC fittings instead of AN , JIC are steel , a single AN fitting can be $18 - 30 , JIC is around $3-5 each & are stronger

[67vertman]

67vertman, what motor you running?

I have a 1973 440. 10:1, Aluminum Head by Eldelbrock, TTI Headers, and Crane lifters.

[quagmire]

On a side note I always use JIC fittings instead of AN , JIC are steel , a single AN fitting can be $18 - 30 , JIC is around $3-5 each & are stronger

   Absolutely.  Half the cost and twice the strength.  If you have any imperfections in a flare you can crank down the steel fittings and get it to burnish/seal.  If you do that with the aluminum fittings on a steel line you'll just distort the nut and sleeve before you get it to seal up.  I found that out the hard way....  They are pretty looking, but that is about it.

I also try to find components with O-ring boss fittings instead of pipe thread wherever possible too.  Pipe threads will work but are much more prone to leaking, galling/stripping in aluminum, and you have to use teflon tape that can break apart.  Normal thread sealant liquid breaks down from fuel.  Again, I found that out the hard way too.  O-ring fittings require low torque and are virtually idiot proof to get a leak free connection.  They also come apart without surprises.

[ShelbyDogg]

Go to Napa or oreillys and ask for a roll of steel brake line available in 5/16 and 3/8. Bend it up with a nice hand bender. I don't trust rubber lines with all of the fuel additives and alcohol in the gas. I use fuel injection hose for the short connections to the engine and filters. That hose has a plastic liner inside the rubber. On one of my cars, I just used the long brake lines from autozone. The end screwed right on to an EFI filter, hanging on the wall. The other end I flared and clamped to my EFI pump with EFI hose

[ShelbyDogg]

Saw this at a swap meet last weekend.

Bought 2 rolls last year at the Mopar Nationals for the same price.

[70chall440]

that's a great price on the lines.

I used hard lines to run the length of the body and soft EFI rated lines to connect to the tank, fuel rails, and regulator. I did use AN -8 as it came with the kit from F&B, I do prefer steel fittings, much more durable.

[wantone]

HOT DANG... I'LL BE DOING THIS SOMEDAY - MARKED FOR LATER.