450HP fuel line?
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 15,725
Likes: 91
From: Near Seattle
450HP fuel line?
I need to know the fuel line diameter I should use to support over 450HP in a GSL-SE.
One complication is that it will be carbed. No it's not getting a boinger.
Would a stock GSL-SE tank's sumped pickup be enough? Doesn't it funnel down to 5/16"/8mm before it reaches the pump? I should probably spring for a fuel cell...
Doesn't it work kinda like electricity where voltage is the pressure and amps is the volume? At low voltages, really heavy gauge wires are needed for high amp loads, but at higher voltages, you can accomplish a lot more with smaller gauges.
If it was injected I'd think 3/8" would be enough, but since it's carbed, shouldn't I go with a larger diameter line to make up for the lower pressure? How about 1/2"?
One complication is that it will be carbed. No it's not getting a boinger.
Would a stock GSL-SE tank's sumped pickup be enough? Doesn't it funnel down to 5/16"/8mm before it reaches the pump? I should probably spring for a fuel cell...
Doesn't it work kinda like electricity where voltage is the pressure and amps is the volume? At low voltages, really heavy gauge wires are needed for high amp loads, but at higher voltages, you can accomplish a lot more with smaller gauges.
If it was injected I'd think 3/8" would be enough, but since it's carbed, shouldn't I go with a larger diameter line to make up for the lower pressure? How about 1/2"?
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 15,725
Likes: 91
From: Near Seattle
Thanks to a confirmation from Evil Aviator, yes 1/2" hardline is the correct diameter to use when going carbed at these power levels. If it was fuel injected, 3/8" would have been ok.
I wonder if I should post the body of his PM in this thread? It would be educational. Gotta get permission first I suppose.
I wonder if I should post the body of his PM in this thread? It would be educational. Gotta get permission first I suppose.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 15,725
Likes: 91
From: Near Seattle
Yes, you would want to use 1/2" hard line on the pressure side. The rule of thumb (based on a typical piston engine BSFC and typical fuel pressures):
3/8" OD (AN -6) Pressure Line for up to 500 hp fuel injected or 335 hp carbureted.
1/2" OD (AN -8) Pressure Line for up to 1000 hp fuel injected or 675 hp carbureted.
The return line is usually one size smaller than the pressure line. Flexible hoses and fittings have a slightly smaller inside diameter than hard line, but this is not a big factor as long as you limit the amount of flexible line used in the system.
I don't understand your question about the fuel cell because a 450hp NA isn't going to be street legal, and with that much power your race class is going to require a fuel cell, as well as a lot of other safety equipment.
3/8" OD (AN -6) Pressure Line for up to 500 hp fuel injected or 335 hp carbureted.
1/2" OD (AN -8) Pressure Line for up to 1000 hp fuel injected or 675 hp carbureted.
The return line is usually one size smaller than the pressure line. Flexible hoses and fittings have a slightly smaller inside diameter than hard line, but this is not a big factor as long as you limit the amount of flexible line used in the system.
I don't understand your question about the fuel cell because a 450hp NA isn't going to be street legal, and with that much power your race class is going to require a fuel cell, as well as a lot of other safety equipment.
Thanks.
