Fuel Line Layout

[RobH]

I was looking at some pictures of buggies from some of the hardcore buggy racers out there. I started to notice some weird things some of them do with their fuel lines:

Why does his pressure line and his supply line wrap around the back of his engine?

Here is another one done more sloppy:

Again around the heat sink and sitting on the manifold.

This one is using zip-ties I think to hold the gas lines back. It still loooks like his lines are touching the exhaust header.

I had problems with other nitros where the heat from the engine has melted my gas lines and made holes. Why are these guys running their lines like this? Are they looking for the extra length to it stays running in-case they flip on their lid?

Also maybe I'm missing something. Can I rotate the fuel nipple on my carb?

My nipple points back towards the rear of the buggy so does the nipple on my pipe. It's almost like it is setup for me to run my lines around the back of the heat sink like you see in these pics.

Any information or adivce on running these lines would be a help.

-rob

 

[FastEddy]

You should be able to rotate the nipple by loosening the assembly adjusting the nipple and re tightening the assembly.

My belief is they use the extra length for "Lid Time". Why do they route the lines the way they do, don't know.. but don't see to many other options on where to put the extra line.

 

[RobH]

I noticed humboldtblazer also runs his fuel line around his heat sink:

Doesn't that burn a hole in your line man?

With the exception of that guy who's line goes all the way around his buggy, none of these gas lines are THAT long. humboldtblazer, for example, just goes from the fuel tank around the head and to the nipple (7 inches maybe?) I run mine around the font of my gas tank and I'd guess it's about the same length.

Thanks for the info on the nipple eddy.

 

[1meathead]

I also think it is for extra time if you end up on the lid but I could be wrong not like it would be a new thing for me. humboldtblazer could prob. tell us why and if he has any problems with heat on my old T it had a heat cover on the line by the engine.

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

It kinda for a little lid time but thats really what the fuel filter does. I can't comment on why the pros do it but you need the fuel lines a certian length for pressure reasons for optimal fuel delivery. I dont want those fuel lines flopping around and potentially becomming disconnected do I? So I wrap behind the block and througth the front diff brace to keep the lines in place and protected. The block stays cooler than the head and fuel lines can withstand the heat with no problems whatsoever.

Originally posted by NoviceRob
I noticed humboldtblazer also runs his fuel line around his heat sink:

Actually it goes around the back of my block not the cooling head

 

[Gmanlusk2004]

also... that's how the fuel lines come from the factory in a Storm rtr.:yes: except for that the fuel line is above the header from the factory.

L8r,
Garrett

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

Also I have extended my fuel lines 2 inches on exhaust and 1 inch on intake and if you notice mr smart ass my fuel lines are orange and what color are the stock ones? The reason they send them from the factory like that is because if you dont run your fuel lines like that (because every single buggy I have seen excepth the HB has them like that) then they flop around can get caught in the gearing and potentially knock you out of the race or run. I also have a fuel filter in line besides the stone filter in the tank.

Oh and I forgot to ask you how's that completely bare stock Storm without a Sirio doing? :dance:

 

[RobH]

I have to admit that it was the heat sink that melted my fuel line on the duratrax. Maybe around the block would be ok.

1meathead, you said something about a "a heat cover" for your fuel lines. I have this fire-proof tubing around the gas lines on my Nitro Hawk. Where can I buy that stuff and what in the world do you call it? It looks like you could buy it at some electrical supply outlet or hardware store. If I just knew what it was called...

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

a .21 head has so much more cooling power than your DuraTraxx's .15 head. If you get some good GS fuel tubing I gaurantee it will not melt the lines unless youe engines running at 400 degrees. Also I am running it around the BACK OF THE BLOCK AND NOT AROUND THE HEAD. And about the fuel line sheidling the are fiberglass covers to take they heat away from the lines

go here
http://www.buytraxxas.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_16_363&products_id=722

 

[RobH]

Maybe I'll try running them around the back of block. Lid time is good. For some reason, my ride will scream like all hell when it runs out of fuel instead of shutting off. I lost one engine because of that. Lid time is a good thing.

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

do you run a fuel filter thats what may be making it run lean at the end for an extendend period of time?

 

[RobH]

yeah, I have a Kyosho fuel filter attached above the center diff on the other-side of the splash guard. (I should get off my lazy ass and take some pics.)

It's weird, with my 1/10 scale cars, they flip on thier lid and if I can't get to them in time, they act like I pinched the line -- they run lean and then die.

With the buggy, I flip it on it's lid and it idles normal for some period of time, then it starts to scream and howl like I'm mashing the throttle.

With the stock .21 BB, my dumb ass was about 100 yards away when the buggy did this screaming trick. By the time I got there, the conrod was blown. The $165 lesson learned that day: "don't be a dumb ass and drive your R/C too far away from yourself."

I thought the screaming was a weird, messed up tuning thing, but this new engine did the same trick. Thankfully, I was able to shut it off and I only lost a glow plug.

I thought maybe it was running on fumes from the tank or something. I don't know, I just need to avoid the screaming.

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

I got 2 words Rob FAIL SAFE or 3 words THROTTLE RETURN SPRING. All cars start to lean out and rev high when on their lids. Depending on the level of the tank at the time it can act differently and feul fitlers come into play with all this also.

 

[Gmanlusk2004]

also... that's how the fuel lines come from the factory in a Storm rtr. except for that the fuel line is above the header from the factory.

and if you notice mr smart ass my fuel lines are orange and what color are the stock ones?

Dude, got a chip on your shoulder. wtf, stop being an ass and taking offense to things that i say. You bashed on my storm before because yours is "prettier" than mine so i got a little pissed, and that's it. If you notice dumbass, i didn't say that you had the stock fuel lines, i said that you routed them the same way that the storm came from the factory. :loser:

L8r,
Garrett

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

I am sorry to hear you are still sore about the comments against your buggy. If you havent noticed I like to play a little ruff. If you took offense and obviously you have then I apologize I hope there are no hard feelings. You got to admit you asked for a heated reply when you said I just do it because they factory sent it to me like that.

 

[1meathead]

8-0 Now now boys. NovRob I have my lines go around the block and have yet to have them melt without the cover. I would give it a try. One other thing you may want to use 2 fuel filters if your not it wil also give more lid time.

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

he selling his buggy anyway who cares.

 

[RobH]

UPDATE: not selling it now.

I'm running one filter, I'll have to pickup another one.

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

Glad to hear your wife gave you your sack back. I would see no need for 2 filters but thats just me. I guess I do run 2 becuase one is a stone filter in the tank. Thats a lot of lid time probably a minute or better.

 

[LarryA]

When you see the pressure line wrapped in several loops, it is done like that because it helps keep the tank pressurized more evenly over the entire tank of fuel than it is with a shorter line. The longer feed line may give you more lid runtime as will a filter but that should be overcome by trying to stay on the wheels more consistantly.