Fuel Lines, long

[Dave Pisciotta]

As with the fuel pump thread, aging and failing fuel lines seem to come up
at least every few weeks.  Seeing as how I am driving a 12 year old car with
the original lines around, I have begun to think about future replacement.
I'd really like to have all the facts before I undertake something of this
ilk, so that when and if the time comes there is little or no downtime.
Thus I am in search of some information and sources for hard fuel lines.
Specifically, what materials, and assembly are the stock lines, ie., flare
style, size, fittings?  Furthermore, what is available aftermarket to
replace the stock lines with equal or greater performance.  Is Stainless
steel tubing available or recommended?  What sort of hard line terminations
are available, and which flaring tools will be required?  What if the
standard or preferred plumbing method for racing?  Is such a method viable
for street cars as well?  Also, where would these items be available?  I
have been able to find a number of sources for flexible hoses and ends,
however none of my online search efforst have turned up anything of value or
interest.  Finally, I have on several occassions seen a product made by
Earls (or perhaps Aeroquip) but haven't seen an informative description of
such a product.  If anyone's familiar with said item I'd love to know
exactly how and where it would be used.  Thanks in advance to everyone who
replies.

FYI, the ultimate goal is a homebrew turbo swap with some sort of tuneable
management system.  Thus, in preparation for such an eventual undertaking
I'm trying to refresh and referb any of the systems which would remain in
situ, and especially those which would contribute to tuneability.  My idea
would be to replace all of the aged hard lines with something new, as well
as the flexible lines which run to the fuel rail, and a new adjustable fpr.
While I know that many on the list have used high pressure rubber hoses and
clamps as patches, I'd like to avoid such a method if at all possible.  My
goals are longevity, reliability, ease of modification, etc.  In doing so
I'd like to factor in fittings, whether they be domestic style schraeder
valves, or just capped bungs, to easily attach diagnostic pressure gauges
with little or no mess.  Again, thanks to all for assistance.

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