avsum Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 Spoke to a very friendly and helpful WSCC member recently who was telling me that the Westfield design is route the fuel lines underneath the chassis. The concern here is this may scrape on a speedbump/kerb etc so it is far safer to route fuel pipes down the transmission tunnel. I wasn't clear whether the brake lines for the rear wheels also go underneath the chassis? I have read the Westfield build manual in detail on this and it is not particularly clear what they mean. At least to a newbie... I spoke to Westfield technical about this to get their viewpoint, again the guy was very helpful, and confirmed the Westfield design is to route fuel lines under the chassis, as per their Type conforming spec. He said "there are no concerns about this, it is perfectly safe". This is fair enough, they know infintely more about it than I do. But as I haven't started my build yet (next weekend ) now has to be the time to decide to break from Westfield design and follow WSCC member's best practice. So: 1) Where do YOU route your fuel AND brake lines? 2) Does anyone know of anyone who HAS had problems with externally routed pipes? 3) If I need to purchase additional fuel and brake pipes to acheive the thru tunnel routing can you recommend where to get it from cheap? 4) Have you got any pictures showing me the better way to route these pipes? Cheers guys... Quote
Blatman Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 1. Tunnel, every time... 2. Not yet, but the underfloor routing thing is still quite new. Mind you, whilst I hit my sump regularly, I've never hit the floor panels, so they are probably safe enough. I just think it looks nasty. Plus, if you want to go for a flat floor panel should you decide to fit a diffuser or want to help improve aerodynamics a bit, then the pipes under the floor will spoil the lines even more... 3. Your local motor factor should be able to supply Kunifer brake pipe at a good price. 4. Not on me... but there are plenty of links to build sites and build diaries on the links page, which will have pictures... Quote
Rob Navin Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 1. Tunnel, every time... As much as I hate to do it, I will have to agree with Blatters on this one. I don't like the idea of any lines under a car that is this low. Down the tunnel, IMO is the only place to put them. Quote
swiftr Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 Mine are under the driver's side floor panel and with my weight over them they'll probably be closer to the ground than the sump! May move them at some point, but as long as they pass the SVA.............. With hindsight would have routed them up the tunnel (as I think the factory does whent they supply the chassis with the brake and fuel lines fitted?! ), but if I got everything right first time: a) I'd be rich b) The car would have been finished soooo much earlier Quote
Al Yupright Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 My pipes thru the tunnel on a megablade Used the kit supplied brake pipe and some copper pipe for the fuel pipes (the factory supplied one is totally unbendy) Cheers, Al. Quote
avsum Posted January 21, 2005 Author Posted January 21, 2005 Al Yupright (Ed?) - you beauty. the photos you linked me to will be printed out and examined in detail this weekend! Quote
Ian Podmore Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 2. Not yet, but the underfloor routing thing is still quite new Mines a '96 and the pipes are under the drivers floor..... Not so new really. Never had any issues, but I would put them in the tunnel if I made another car etc. Quote
Blatman Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 New to me then. Just don't seem to hear much about it on here at all, save for when the question of tunnel Vs under the floor rears it's head (again...) FWIW, my 1998 car has the cables and pipes in the tunnel, but then it wasn't built by Westfield or by following the build manual... Quote
Ian Podmore Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 Ours was built following the manual when possible - which wasn't often as we were the first to complete a modular build Zetec according to Westfield. Just can't truly imagine what it would be like building a car without all the bits (except the missing ones ) in boxes next to you. The information available to builders is so good now, although I suppose if we had joined the club before building we'd have had some advice of other builders as well rather than just from Westfield themselves. The one bit of advice I'd give is not to photograph a left hand drive car at the factory for help Quote
stubbow Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 If you are building a megablade then the megablade supplement manual shows the pipes running through the tunnel and westfield will supply you with all the pipes cut to length al"s right about the fuel pipe its very hard to get any smooth bends in it! The brake pipes can be bent by hand so need for a pipe bender! I finished building my blade a couple off months ago so if you need any advice just pm me. your welcome to come and have a nose around mine anytime if your down south. Danny. Quote
scruffythefirst Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 ust can't truly imagine what it would be like building a car without all the bits (except the missing ones ) in boxes next to you. Welcome to my world Quote
Nick A Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 Just a thought where do westfield run the brake and fuel pipes on the new car with the lowered floor they showed at autosport never thought to look at the time. Quote
Glen H Posted January 21, 2005 Posted January 21, 2005 Not a Blade but Duratec tunnel which probably has less room available than the Blade install due to gearbox etc. From front of tunnel Rear pipe arrangement Plan view Make sure you leave enogh room for the prop / differential flange and the pipes do not touch / rub on the chassis as it will fail SVA (if spotted) Quote
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