Gas Lines: Rubber Vs. PTFE

[LTb1ow]

Planning on redoing fuel lines this winter, and had originally planned on rubber braided stuff but seems like PTFE is better (and pricier).

Car is non E85.

Anyone have experience with either, and what would you recommend?

[wretched73]

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

Planning on redoing fuel lines this winter, and had originally planned on rubber braided stuff but seems like PTFE is better (and pricier).

Car is non E85.

Anyone have experience with either, and what would you recommend?

PTFE. Just in case E85 becomes readily available.

I helped another friend do PTFE lines on his circle track race car because he runs methanol. They are not worse to do than rubber.

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by wretched73

PTFE. Just in case E85 becomes readily available.

I helped another friend do PTFE lines on his circle track race car because he runs methanol. They are not worse to do than rubber.

I have done both, just wary of the price of doing PTFE.

Currently have rubber lines up front and no overwhelming gas odors so, torn.

[wretched73]

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

I have done both, just wary of the price of doing PTFE.

Currently have rubber lines up front and no overwhelming gas odors so, torn.

I'd do PTFE solely so you have the option to run E85 or straight meth in the future.

[PolarBear]

If you do PTFE you 'll, essentially, never have to change them again where rubber you definitely will after 5+ years unless you drain all the fuel out of them all the time

[sweetbmxrider]

Originally Posted by PolarBear

If you do PTFE you 'll, essentially, never have to change them again where rubber you definitely will after 5+ years unless you drain all the fuel out of them all the time

Does WOT count as fuel draining?

[IROCZman15]

I would do PTFE. I Did my whole fuel feed and return system just this past winter. It was worth it (for me) to just go all out and do it once and have them be done for good on the car. everything from the tank to meeting up with the fuel rails is PTFE and -AN fittings. -8 feed and -6 return. cost a few hundred dollars because I bought about 4 feet EXTRA of each size of line, extra fittings, extra olives, and some billet clamps to hold both lines together. all from RACETRONIX

I just knew that if I did PTFE it would eliminate me having to go re-do them anytime in the nearby future. I also knew that E85 isn't around us NOW, but that PTFE will be totally fine if it does come up for future use after the engine project is done next winter.

[SS Performance]

PTFE! all pump gas has some ethanol in it.

Once and done in the long run it's worth the extra expense.

[LTb1ow]

So, almost ready to pull the trigger for this winter project.

Question now, my thought was to add another bulkhead fitting to bottom of tank for return line. But, then I got thinking what the "proper" way to return fuel to tank may be.

Any thoughts? Overthinking things again?

[wretched73]

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

So, almost ready to pull the trigger for this winter project.

Question now, my thought was to add another bulkhead fitting to bottom of tank for return line. But, then I got thinking what the "proper" way to return fuel to tank may be.

Any thoughts? Overthinking things again?

I was going to say, have the return enter and dump fuel right on your fuel pump. Buttttt your fuel pump is external so that will be messy. Just dump anywhere in tank

[sweetbmxrider]

Do you need a check valve to prevent fuel backing up into fuel line or fpr is good enough?

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

Do you need a check valve to prevent fuel backing up into fuel line or fpr is good enough?

I don't follow. What do you mean?

[wretched73]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

Do you need a check valve to prevent fuel backing up into fuel line or fpr is good enough?

the entire fuel system will always have fuel in it, the return line has enough pressure to push fuel into the tank, even if the tank is full and return in at the lowest point

[sweetbmxrider]

Originally Posted by wretched73

the entire fuel system will always have fuel in it, the return line has enough pressure to push fuel into the tank, even if the tank is full and return in at the lowest point

I'm curious about the head pressure acting upon the return line especially when the car/pump is off.

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

I'm curious about the head pressure acting upon the return line especially when the car/pump is off.

Yea, and that is something I am thinking of. But, the fuel pump is the same way, feed line while car is off will drain tank if punctured. (not saying thats right but it is what happens with a sumped tank)

My concern with running return line bulkhead up top is I have no way to not spraying fuel in tank and aerotating the crap out of it. Whereas a sump return in theory minimizes that.

Either way tank is coming down, so guess I will come up with something soon

[sweetbmxrider]

Why not put a line in the tank that dumps it on the bottom?

[IROCZman15]

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

Yea, and that is something I am thinking of. But, the fuel pump is the same way, feed line while car is off will drain tank if punctured. (not saying thats right but it is what happens with a sumped tank)

My concern with running return line bulkhead up top is I have no way to not spraying fuel in tank and aerotating the crap out of it. Whereas a sump return in theory minimizes that.

Either way tank is coming down, so guess I will come up with something soon

yes, that was my thought, you wont want to aerate it... runt eh return line so that it terminates as close to the bottom of the fuel tank's floor as possible . less turbulence

[LTb1ow]

More ramblings from a bored imagineer.

I am going to leave a check valve in one line out of top of tank, should be fine leaving the non vented cap on filler neck?

And how far can the fuel pump be from tank? Assuming its lower than sump.

[sweetbmxrider]

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

More ramblings from a bored imagineer.

I am going to leave a check valve in one line out of top of tank, should be fine leaving the non vented cap on filler neck?

And how far can the fuel pump be from tank? Assuming its lower than sump.

Check valve relieving pressure from tank? Yeah, so long as the check valve doesn't need to see 100 psi

Probably best to ask the pump manufacturer.

[LTb1ow]

And PTFE won out, my wallet lost. This is just for the feed, gonna tackle the return after I get this setup.

[ThoR294]

good choice

[IROCZman15]

yup, great choice, should be good for a very very long time.

my filter is very much the same. I didn't bother to open it up this year to inspect the element.... wasn't sure that I needed to after only 10 months of use. any idea how often to check/clean/replace these types of filters?

[Blackbirdws6]

Why not all black fittings?

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by IROCZman15

yup, great choice, should be good for a very very long time.

my filter is very much the same. I didn't bother to open it up this year to inspect the element.... wasn't sure that I needed to after only 10 months of use. any idea how often to check/clean/replace these types of filters?

I prob will check/clean once a season, I rarely drive the car.

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

Why not all black fittings?

Sadly the black 90* were back-order only and I was impatient.

[sweetbmxrider]

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

Why not all black fittings?

Agreed. So much disappoint. Ebay, amazon, or jegs coulda hooked you up brah.