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First Union Securities, Inc.
I have spent many, many hours over the last few weeks making oil hoses. And
I don't even want to talk about what I have spent on aluminum Aeroquip
fittings. And now that I am done, I think I may not have the best solution.
Even though I used aluminum fittings, the hoses, after adding firesleeve,
weigh a ton. I used a braided stainless hose, which I probably didn't need
to do... and I have a lot of hoses. I'm guessing, but I'll bet I have 15
lbs in hoses. And the firesleeve is ugly!
The questions is - is there a better way? I am familiar with the Aeroquip
start-lite hoses, but am concerned about their max operating pressure - 200
psi. Do I really need firesleeve? Is there a better/nicer looking/lighter
solution?
Here are the hoses on my engine:
Hard lines (yeah! light!):
* - 8 from engine to turbo cooling jacket
* - 4 from engine to turbo lubrication
* - 6 from turbo lubrication back to engine
* - 4 lines from fuel spider to injectors (x4)
* - 4 lines from oil spider to valve covers (x4) (note, by changing from
flex to hard line here, I saved 1 lbs., 1 oz - the flex line had steel
fittings, but no firesleeve)
Flex lines (booh, heavy) and hose lengths (excluding fittings):
* - 8 from turbo cooling jacket to oil cooler (about 12") - unfortunately
the oil cooler is mounted to the engine mount, not the engine.
* - 8 from oil cooler to engine return (about 8")
* - 8 from engine to remote oil filter (about 10")
* - 8 from remote oil cooler back to the engine (about 10")
* - 4 from engine to oil pressure transducer (about 12")
* - 8 from bottom front of engine pan to electric oil pump for head cooling
(about 40")
* - 6 from electric oil pump to distribution spider on top of engine (about
20")
* - 6 from firewall to fuel distribution spider on engine bottom (about 24")
* - 6 from fuel distribution spider to firewall (about 24") (return line)
As you can see, I have a lot if lines. Saving 20% weight would probably be
at least 3 pounds, maybe more.
Your thoughts are appreciated,
Matt
For those who want to keep reading, I will provide a brief update of my
"Zehrbach" engine...
The plumbing has been a nightmare. Bracket making has become my specialty.
But I am almost there. Everything has been mounted and Darus has returned
my valve covers with the revised oil inlets. I still need to mount the
intercooler and the plumbing to the throttle body. A few more weeks (3 - 4)
and I should be ready to start. I still need to remove the engine from the
firewall, make a new firewall, and torque all the little fittings. I still
have to install the oil return fitting (from the heads to the engine case).
So I still have no word on performance. Darus is still good to work with,
although he did forget to modify one part of the valve cover. He has been
very pleasant and is always available for technical support. As I have said
before, the proof will be in the running...
LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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