Earls Performance Plumbing Engine

Oil Lines
For the oil lines we used Earl's Perform-O-Flex Hose. The hose is a steel braided line, which can withstand 1,500 psi. The lines we used that run to and from the oil pump to the dry sump tank are 16-gauge line. We used steel braided line here because these lines run extremely close to the driver seat and compartment. If one of these lines were to rupture it might pose a problem for the driver. And unlike our fuel line which had the steel tubing to fit it through the driver compartment, the oil lines connect to the dry sump tank behind the driver seat, going through a gusset and into the dry sump container.

The oil lines can be crucial because if they're not run correctly then they can cause huge problems with your engine. For instance, try to avoid using sharp angle fittings as much as you can because they cut down on the flow of the oil, which can lead to a blown motor. We recommend that you always use "high flow" hose ends or as Earl's calls them Tube Hose Ends. These fittings serve to transistion the change in direction of the oil more efficiently and that helps to maintain oil pressure and flow, and reduce cavitation.

Water lines The water lines are going to be steel braided also just so that if we ever get in an accident involving the nose or the radiator we can try to avoid being knocked out of the race because one of the water lines ruptured.

  • Earls Performance Plumbing Attached Fitting
    Here, the fitting is attached to the base, notice how there is no gap between the fitting and the tape. This means that the fitting is attached correctly to the hose. The fuel pump is on the other side of the engine so all we have to do is run a line along the firewall to the fuel pump and the fuel line is done.
    Here, the fitting is attached to the base, notice how there is no gap between the fitting
  • Earls Performance Plumbing Hose Length
    We have measured out the length of hose we'll need for our oil line and now we're going to cut it using the bench cutter. Remember to tape up the area where you want to cut to help create that clean cut that you're looking for.
    We have measured out the length of hose we'll need for our oil line and now we're going to
  • Earls Performance Plumbing Sharp Edges
    Notice how when it is not taped the steel braid tries to unravel and creates a lot of sharp edges.
    Notice how when it is not taped the steel braid tries to unravel and creates a lot of shar

Conclusion
Most people would view the plumbing of a race car as mundane and just something that needs to be done. But if you look at it as something that can make your car faster, or more long-lasting, then you have a lot to gain. Everything we did when it came to plumbing this car was for a reason. We put more fuel line in the car so we could go longer on the first tank of gas. We used a lighter fuel line to save weight. And we used sturdy oil and water lines so that in a front-end collision we won't have to worry about the lines getting crimped and rupturing, which would put us out of the race.

The entire point of plumbing your car is to get the fluids to the desired point as quickly and safely as possible. Just like your home, you can avoid a bunch of trouble by taking a little more time and do it correctly the first time. This will also help you avoid that expensive repair bill that could come your way if the plumbing isn't done correctly.

  • Earls Performance Plumbing Oil Line
    We put our fitting on the oil line just like we did before with the fuel line. But notice how the fitting pulled away from the tape on this one. The little amount that it did pull away might be a small concern so we went ahead and pulled the fitting back off and started over to get a better connection.
    We put our fitting on the oil line just like we did before with the fuel line. But notice
  • Earls Performance Plumbing External Oil Pump
    Now we have to connect our line to our external oil pump. From the oil pump we want to go to the oil cooler and then to the filter. That is extremely important, if we were to run from the pump, to the filter, to the oil cooler and then to the engine we could have disastrous results. With it set up that way, any piece of aluminum or debris that comes out of the oil cooler will not have a filter to stop it from getting to the engine. The correct way to run the oil lines is to make sure the filter is the last thing the oil goes through before entering the engine.
    Now we have to connect our line to our external oil pump. From the oil pump we want to go
  • Earls Performance Plumbing Oil Cooler
    Also another area not to forget about is when you're attaching the oil lines to the oil cooler you want to set it up just like a hot water heater. When the oil is heading into the oil cooler you want to have it entering on the bottom of the oil cooler and when it is leaving the oil cooler have it exiting from the top of the cooler. This will help you avoid getting any air bubbles in the oil lines.
    Also another area not to forget about is when you're attaching the oil lines to the oil co
  • Earls Performance Plumbing Angle Tubes
    Going to the bottom of the engine, we run these angle tubes that are extremely durable and pretty standard when it comes to plumbing the water lines.
    Going to the bottom of the engine, we run these angle tubes that are extremely durable and
  • Earls Performance Plumbing Water Lines
    The water lines we're using will be filled with distilled water. Remember, never put tap water inside your radiator. Tap water has a low amount of chlorine in it that will erode your radiator and cause rust to form inside of it. Distilled water is much more pure. We'll also be putting a product called Water-Wetter in the radiator. The distilled water and the Water-Wetter will allow us to run cooler and that means we can now run more tape on the nose of the car.
    The water lines we're using will be filled with distilled water. Remember, never put tap w
  • The engine, all finished up, with all the fuel, oil, and water lines run.