Half inch lines

[Horus]

My next mod will be a piston LP. At what power level does one need to think about changing the stock lines out in favor of the usual .5 inch line and Vulcan DS setup?

My rig is near stock and must remain a reliable tow rig.

[BC.livewire]

well I'm new to this so take this info with a grane of salt

I would think that the stock fuel lines that are 5/16 -- smaller than 3/8 would handel 300HP

do if your not spiking the boost past 40psi you will be good for the stock lins

the PL upgrade is mostly do the the stock pl beeing to week that is starves the VE injector pump for fuel at WOT

[dpuckett]

I'd say if you're replacing lines, it wont hurt a thing to go to 1/2" on the supply side. Will 3/8 be adequate? Sure. But the bigger line will have even less restriction, which may or may not help you out, but it sure cant hurt. Kinda like guzzling water through a big Slurpie straw, or one of those tiny things about the size of a pencil lead they give you in mid to high end restaurants.

DP

[BC.livewire]

yes some times I forget to think of it that way

yes you doing the modd do it rite the furst time

what is the cost differnce between 3/8 to 1/2 ?? O maybe $5.00 after ou the parts are bot

I can see ware 1/2 lines would be over kill for me but for the OP they maybe the thing he needs to reatch his HP goals

[Horus]

My question has more to do with not wanting to screw with the stock lines and pickup. After reading all the write-ups concerning replacing everything from the tank to the VE, I'm not convinced its a good idea. So many of these setups seem hacked together and compromise the reliability of the fuel system.

In the future my truck may see a 366 spring and maybe a couple turns on the fuel screw. Will the stock lines and fuel filter flow enough with a low pressure piston LP to handle a mild build such as mine? I just want to know I have enough fuel getting to the VE when I step up to the spring.

[Remps]

If you're worried about the stock line keeping up, get a fuel pressure gauge so you know you have fuel.

[93flatbed]

My question has more to do with not wanting to screw with the stock lines and pickup. After reading all the write-ups concerning replacing everything from the tank to the VE, I'm not convinced its a good idea. So many of these setups seem hacked together and compromise the reliability of the fuel system.

In the future my truck may see a 366 spring and maybe a couple turns on the fuel screw. Will the stock lines and fuel filter flow enough with a low pressure piston LP to handle a mild build such as mine? I just want to know I have enough fuel getting to the VE when I step up to the spring.

Yes you "should" be ok with just the pump and stock lines. But the only way to tell is with a gauge.
I've been running 1/2"lines on my single cab now for a year or so and the crew has 3/8" lines on it for 2.5-3years, I have NOT had a problem yet...Knock on Keyboard. I think your statment of "hacked thogether" is truth in the pudding. If you hack it then you will get that type of reliabiltiy. As for mine/hers I have no problems below 1/4 tank. My wife has even gotten her's to run out (bad level sensor and her not paying attention to milage). Still no air suckie suckie. Good luck with what ever you decide to do

[redneckroot]

I have had 0 problems with my set up that I built for my tank. I've had it down to 1/8 tank and not had a problem with air. I think it all comes down to how you set it up and how you have the return in the tank.

[Horus]

Thanks for the answers guys. I think I may do a fuel pressure gauge just to be on the safe side.

As far as the line upgrade goes there are two areas I am still curious about. Many tech threads regarding 1/2 a inch line conversion are not clear as to what kind of fuel filter is used. The details about the plumbing surrounding the fuel filter and IP connection are often not as detailed as I'd like. So often the well done write-ups with all the good pics document an aftermarket electric pump with it's own filter.

Concerning the draw straw, I have seen this done many different ways. Use the stock return line or upgrade it's diameter? Run the draw straw inside the fuel pickup basket or not? Keep the mesh screen in the pickup basket or not? I imagine you could just run the draw straw down to the bottom floor of the basket with a .250 ish gap at the bottom. One guy hollowed out the plastic fuel log thing and shortened is draw straw to use it! Another guy left the pickup basket thing along and just drilled a hole in the tank right next to it, then ran the draw straw down to just above the bottom of the tank.

There just seems to be so many differences between people's setups. Small differences that to me could make the difference between a good reliable fuel system and the guy who says he has to keep it above half full or he is in trouble.

For me, reliability is king. I do not plan to make huge power with this truck. It just needs to drag my junk to the trail and back.

Thanks again.

[93flatbed]

Thanks for the answers guys. I think I may do a fuel pressure gauge just to be on the safe side.

As far as the line upgrade goes there are two areas I am still curious about. Many tech threads regarding 1/2 a inch line conversion are not clear as to what kind of fuel filter is used. The details about the plumbing surrounding the fuel filter and IP connection are often not as detailed as I'd like. So often the well done write-ups with all the good pics document an aftermarket electric pump with it's own filter.
I'm using a fleet gaurd filter head with an fs1000 filter on both trucks, they have JIC fittings which you can get with 1/2" barbs to hook lines right up to filter head
Concerning the draw straw, I have seen this done many different ways. Use the stock return line or upgrade it's diameter? Run the draw straw inside the fuel pickup basket or not? Keep the mesh screen in the pickup basket or not? I imagine you could just run the draw straw down to the bottom floor of the basket with a .250 ish gap at the bottom. One guy hollowed out the plastic fuel log thing and shortened is draw straw to use it! Another guy left the pickup basket thing along and just drilled a hole in the tank right next to it, then ran the draw straw down to just above the bottom of the tank.
Mine is still using the factory sending unit but I got rid of the supply line inside of the tank and put the line down through the top and it hooked up to the factory screen at the bottom of the sending unit. And I'm running factory return lines. My regualtor return line is "T"ed in to the vent hose for the filler neck.

There just seems to be so many differences between people's setups. Small differences that to me could make the difference between a good reliable fuel system and the guy who says he has to keep it above half full or he is in trouble.

For me, reliability is king. I do not plan to make huge power with this truck. It just needs to drag my junk to the trail and back.

Thanks again.

I've got pictures stored some where on my computer and I'll have to figure out how to post them up on this site (I'm trying to make the swich from the other site that I've gotten so accustomed to posting pics and what not in over the years.)