Aluminum Trans Cooler Lines?

[Badvert65]

I am considering 3/8 aluminum tubing for the trans cooler lines. A904 trans, manual valve body built for drag racing. Does anyone know if Aluminum will be a problem? I could get steel line, but Aluminum is much easier to work with.

 

[493 Mike]

I am considering 3/8 aluminum tubing for the trans cooler lines. A904 trans, manual valve body built for drag racing. Does anyone know if Aluminum will be a problem? I could get steel line, but Aluminum is much easier to work with.

I used aluminum for mine but, have yet to drive the car (let alone assemble it). The only concern is work hardening causing cracks. As long as the lines are properly supported/restrained I believe it will be fine. I did use a short length of rubber hose at the transmission connections.
Mike

 

[451Mopar]

The Copper Nickel lines are supposed to be alot better than Aluminum.
https://www.amazon.com/Roll-Copper-Nickel-Fuel-Transmission/dp/B015YGREXU

 

[68Moparmaniac]

I used Stainless for mine> It's not hard to work with as long as you have a halfway decent bender and flaring tools. Polish them up and they'll look good forever

 

[moes]

The Copper Nickel lines are supposed to be alot better than Aluminum.
https://www.amazon.com/Roll-Copper-Nickel-Fuel-Transmission/dp/B015YGREXU

I used Copper Nickel for my transmission lines on my last car. It is easy to bend, makes perfect flares and it is corrosion resistance to. I've seen it used for gas and brake lines on friends cars. Much easier to use then steel or aluminum lines

 

[451Mopar]

I has aluminum fuel line that cracked at the fitting after a few years.
The stainless lines are nice, but more difficult to bend and flare. Has issues with the stainless brake lines making a good seal, so got one of the honing type tools.

 

[Badvert65]

Are the copper lines really better than aluminum? Both are relatively soft metals.

 

[65Fury440]

Are the copper lines really better than aluminum? Both are relatively soft metals.

Yea the AL will crack, the copper stuff is holding up on a couple builds I've done.
It's really easy to work with too.

 

[Shorthorse]

Are the copper lines really better than aluminum? Both are relatively soft metals.

I agree with others here. Aluminum can fatigue easily unless it's aircraft grade but I don't know how easy it is to flare. Just recently I had a chance to use copper/nickel for some brake lines. Great stuff.

 

[Photon440]

Are the copper lines really better than aluminum? Both are relatively soft metals.

It's not copper, it's copper/nickel alloy, usually known as cupronickel. It's a lot stronger than copper and very corrosion resistant.

 

[Badvert65]

I guess I'll soon find out. I ordered 50 feet of the stuff.
Thanks everyone for your input on this.

 

[66Satellite47]

I have had real good luck with aluminum over the years for portions of both fuel & AT lines. I also have fairly good mounting combined with some amount of flexible material somewhere near the connections(short length rubber fuel line or Aeroquip}. Aluminum is easy to flare, holds up real well. Plain copper work hardens with vibration & cracks. IMHO. I've not used the copper/nickel.

 

[dvw]

I've had aluminum fuel line on my street car for 25 years. Never had an issue. Lasts longer than braided.
Doug

 

[coloradodave]

3/8" aluminum tubing I made up for my buddy's car. Been there 5 years. No leaks; Of course he's not taking it apart all the time like a racer might. I used copper/nickel alloy on the brake lines on my Plymouth. Very easy to bend (no tools required) and double flares come out great. I've had trouble in the past with S/S tubing sealing at the flares. Every flare required 'fine tuning' in order not to leak...

 

[cbodybob]

I’ve used aluminum fuel lines on every car I’ve built. I used copper lines for the brake lines on a 440 D150 Street/strip truck along with aluminum fuel line. No problems yet. I plan to use aluminum trans lines on FURYIOUS

 

[493 Mike]

I’ve used aluminum fuel lines on every car I’ve built. I used copper lines for the brake lines on a 440 D150 Street/strip truck along with aluminum fuel line. No problems yet. I plan to use aluminum trans lines on FURYIOUS

Plain or alloyed copper tubing for brake lines?
Mike

 

[cbodybob]

Plain or alloyed copper tubing for brake lines?
Mike

Plain ole parts store stuff

 

[coloradodave]

Here's what I used: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-220216-25

 

[cbodybob]

Here's what I used: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-220216-25

Perfect. That should work fine

 

[Badvert65]

Here's what I used: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-220216-25

Read carefully, that part number is for 3/16 line.
jus sayin......