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AST Replacement Choices?

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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 08:01 AM
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From: Longwood FL
AST Replacement Choices?

Is there any significant difference in the aluminum ASTs offered by different places?

Just heard about one from Fighters Garage and it sounded like an improved version.

I've searched and didn't find any comparisons.

Thanks!
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 08:38 AM
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Any of them will be fine.
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 08:43 AM
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I have a petit aluminum and it works fine
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 09:27 AM
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I designed the Fighters AST to overcome problems I've seen with other (namely the Pettit) AST.

First was proper nipple size for the AST hoses. The Pettit nipples are a hair too small, making for a loose hose fit and requiring you to crank down with worm drive hose clamps. That's not the right way to do it - it fatigues the hoses over time, and I just don't like stuff that doesn't fit right.

I also hated the goofy Stant lever cap it comes with - they're cheap and flimsy. It also doesn't sit on the rubber base in the stock mount like it should. Finally, the goofy wrinkle finish just doesn't look good.

The Fighters AST has brass hose barbs for the hoses to connect to, for a tight fit. It fits on the bottom rubber support properly, uses a nice looking chrome radiator cap, and is polished aluminum. The hose barbs screw into 1/8" NPT bungs, so if you wanted to get crazy you could convert the fittings to AN fittings or something. It also just looks much nicer, like some of the JDM AST's.

Finally, it's cheaper than the Pettit's. Each one is also pressure tested in water to make sure there's no pinhole leaks or anything.

It's a solid, quality product for a fair price - hard to beat . I am slightly biased as I designed the thing (and no, I don't get any money for them) but I was frustrated that the FD market didn't have a good, well-built, and fairly priced AST on the market.

Dale
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 10:49 AM
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i've looked over mine inside and out, and they are very simply designed. only difference i have ever seen in ast's is canaster size and nipple size. i dont really think it makes a difference..some may feel otherwise
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by DaleClark
I designed the Fighters AST to overcome problems I've seen with other (namely the Pettit) AST.

First was proper nipple size for the AST hoses. The Pettit nipples are a hair too small, making for a loose hose fit and requiring you to crank down with worm drive hose clamps. That's not the right way to do it - it fatigues the hoses over time, and I just don't like stuff that doesn't fit right.

I also hated the goofy Stant lever cap it comes with - they're cheap and flimsy. It also doesn't sit on the rubber base in the stock mount like it should. Finally, the goofy wrinkle finish just doesn't look good.

The Fighters AST has brass hose barbs for the hoses to connect to, for a tight fit. It fits on the bottom rubber support properly, uses a nice looking chrome radiator cap, and is polished aluminum. The hose barbs screw into 1/8" NPT bungs, so if you wanted to get crazy you could convert the fittings to AN fittings or something. It also just looks much nicer, like some of the JDM AST's.

Finally, it's cheaper than the Pettit's. Each one is also pressure tested in water to make sure there's no pinhole leaks or anything.

It's a solid, quality product for a fair price - hard to beat . I am slightly biased as I designed the thing (and no, I don't get any money for them) but I was frustrated that the FD market didn't have a good, well-built, and fairly priced AST on the market.

Dale
Where is this available?
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by cannonrider2434
Where is this available?
http://www.fighters-garage.com/rx7.html
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 11:10 AM
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I built my own for about $40 worth of materials. -AN hose should = no pressure or vac leaks



and it definately = 0 hose clamps. I hate hose clamps. I also hate trying to twist the rubber hose off and scrapping knuckles. THe only thing worse than that is destroying the line and needing to get another one. Not that any stock hose would fit my app but I'm making all hose clamps and crush washers obsolete on my car.

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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 12:55 PM
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wow...
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 01:00 PM
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The Tripoint unit is a good, quality unit also. I have one and really like it.
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Mahjik
Mr. Links, thank you very much.

-Nick
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by TRISPEEDFD3S
wow...
Was that a wow or a wow - what a waste of time.
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 06:26 PM
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yeah i want one too, the fighter one looks good, but seeing im located in Japan, i bet the shipping could be costly. I might just go with the FAMSPEED item which is one of the cheaper ones from Japan.
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Old Jan 21, 2008 | 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by DaleClark
I designed the Fighters AST to overcome problems I've seen with other (namely the Pettit) AST.

First was proper nipple size for the AST hoses. The Pettit nipples are a hair too small, making for a loose hose fit and requiring you to crank down with worm drive hose clamps. That's not the right way to do it - it fatigues the hoses over time, and I just don't like stuff that doesn't fit right.

I also hated the goofy Stant lever cap it comes with - they're cheap and flimsy. It also doesn't sit on the rubber base in the stock mount like it should. Finally, the goofy wrinkle finish just doesn't look good.

The Fighters AST has brass hose barbs for the hoses to connect to, for a tight fit. It fits on the bottom rubber support properly, uses a nice looking chrome radiator cap, and is polished aluminum. The hose barbs screw into 1/8" NPT bungs, so if you wanted to get crazy you could convert the fittings to AN fittings or something. It also just looks much nicer, like some of the JDM AST's.

Finally, it's cheaper than the Pettit's. Each one is also pressure tested in water to make sure there's no pinhole leaks or anything.

It's a solid, quality product for a fair price - hard to beat . I am slightly biased as I designed the thing (and no, I don't get any money for them) but I was frustrated that the FD market didn't have a good, well-built, and fairly priced AST on the market.

Dale

I have it and I concur, I like it alot more than the old Pettit I had on my other car.

Bump for Fighter's AST.
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Old Jan 22, 2008 | 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by bajaman
The Tripoint unit is a good, quality unit also. I have one and really like it.
+1 on the Tripoint model, uses stock caps and doesn't have the same issues the Pettit one is prone to.
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Old Jan 22, 2008 | 09:47 PM
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Talking

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT
Was that a wow or a wow - what a waste of time.
A little bit of both. wow because that takes some time to do and you accomplished your goal, and another wow at that was not a WASTE of time, but not something I would have done. But a good wow in the end. =o)
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 08:35 AM
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i also make AST's, i've been selling tanks on and off for a few years and shipped them from Alaska to Australia so i don't mind shipping outside the US. , these new tanks have a 32mm billet filler neck to be used with the stock size cap.

polished or powder coated price is $150 shipped. *without cap*


Attached Thumbnails AST Replacement Choices?-tanks.jpg   AST Replacement Choices?-black-tanks.jpg  
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 08:53 AM
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i bought one...its rather nice
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 08:59 AM
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As did I and he went out of his way for me also. Kinetic all the way.
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 09:06 AM
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^ i like your name!

smart
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by TRISPEEDFD3S
A little bit of both. wow because that takes some time to do and you accomplished your goal, and another wow at that was not a WASTE of time, but not something I would have done. But a good wow in the end. =o)
Thanks
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 12:00 AM
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Originally Posted by 4CN A1R
i bought one...its rather nice
Originally Posted by vtec187
As did I and he went out of his way for me also. Kinetic all the way.

thanks fellas.
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Old Mar 16, 2008 | 11:21 PM
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Hey Kintetik mate,

I'm new to these forums and was referred to you from FD3S Owners Forums in Australia here, just a quicky, with your AST's r they a straight bolt in replacement for the factory AST? what do I need to modify if anything to make this work?

Thanks!
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Old Mar 16, 2008 | 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 51CAZ
Hey Kintetik mate,

I'm new to these forums and was referred to you from FD3S Owners Forums in Australia here, just a quicky, with your AST's r they a straight bolt in replacement for the factory AST? what do I need to modify if anything to make this work?

Thanks!
They look pretty bolt-on to me.. similar to other AST's on the market.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 12:45 AM
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Hey Mr Kinetic.....

Originally Posted by KINETIK_FD3S
i also make AST's, i've been selling tanks on and off for a few years and shipped them from Alaska to Australia so i don't mind shipping outside the US. , these new tanks have a 32mm billet filler neck to be used with the stock size cap.

polished or powder coated price is $150 shipped. *without cap*


How do you accept payment?, I'm in Australia.
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