AST Replacement Choices?
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!
Just heard about one from Fighters Garage and it sounded like an improved version.
I've searched and didn't find any comparisons.
Thanks!
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
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'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
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
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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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.
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.
-Nick
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.
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
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.
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*

, 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*

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!
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.
Hey Mr Kinetic.....
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*


, 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*







