What is the best and easiest AN fittings and hose to assemble.

Fragola

XRP

have Fragola now, black turns violet and the swivels on the -6 hose ends bind after some time. swapping all to XRP before the start of the season.

Op was asking which was easiest-have used both and Fragola is easier to get hose into for sure and seal fine

the OP asked which is the best and none are easier to install then the other, have used them all over 40 years and not one has ever leaked and now every hose end is easy to install when the right tool is used.

I think I have tried all of the popular brands and the black Fragola PTFE are the easiest and best. On my new car that is what I decided to use for everything, water, oil lines, transmission cooler and Fuel.

For standard type steel braided hose the Russel brand was easiest to use because it has pretty good taper on the part that goes inside. That makes it so much easier to slide inside the hose with out catching or cutting hose. Also makes it easier to get all the way up to the end. Even it is some what of a hassle and there may be bloodshed.

One other thing is to make sure you use same brand hose as the fitting as some are not compatible with other brands.

Just FYI Fragola has 2 types of hose ends, their 2000 series Pro Flow and 3000 series race fittings. The 2000 series are easier to assemble but 3000 grip the hose better and are a little harder to assemble. As Ed stated I have had issues with their swivel fittings binding in the past.
Fragola is a good made in the USA hose end and AN fitting but I prefer XRP and my entire blown TD engine and transmission is Plumbed with XRP fittings and XRP hose.

If using black, They all turn violet over time, especially if heated as in cooling or transmission hose but XRP seem to last longer

Big Steve...KNOWS!

I lean towards what is easy to assemble, doesn't leak and costs a little less. I used Fragola throughout my S10 build. Appearance is important to some, way to important to others but I basically want a hose and fitting that doesn't fail. Never won a round or lost a round because my fittings changed colors or cost less but it is important to some, I understand.

I'm going to replumb my stuff as well, going to all teflon hose and crimped fittings. I don't worry about looks so much, I want a fitting that does what it's supposed to do and doesn't leak. I'm changing all my stuff now because of age of the hoses...Say what you will but I agree with Toad, show me one instance where a discolored fitting was the cause of a loss or a win....but to each his own as well, if it's your car, do as you please..

Have a couple to update. Use the same stuff i use on the trucks. Have the Aeroquip ET1000 with inventory.

Everyone will recommend what they use and again, it’s 2022, they all are easy to assemble and leak free.

My father was the largest XRP distributer in the Midwest before we closed shop. During that time, we built countless lines for almost every NHRA team. With that being said, XRP is as easy as the rest. Just make sure you use a good sharp hose cutter, and we put copaslip on the threads. Another tip is to take a pair of needle nose pliers and use them to spread open the hose once the collar is on. This will allow you to get the fitting in easier. Of course, use the aluminum vice chucks to hold the line in place.

A friend is just about finished plumbing his new Elite Chassis dragster, black hose with -6, -8, -10 and -12, all XRP and all done with his hands, no tools other than used to cut the hose. As I said, easy peasy.

quote:

Everyone will recommend what they use and again, it’s 2022, they all are easy to assemble and leak free.

but will anyone besides me recommend cutting the hose with a chisel? You can't believe how well it works!

quote:

Originally posted by DragRaceResults:

quote:

Everyone will recommend what they use and again, it’s 2022, they all are easy to assemble and leak free.

but will anyone besides me recommend cutting the hose with a chisel? You can't believe how well it works!

Do tell....

quote:

Originally posted by DragRaceResults:

quote:

Everyone will recommend what they use and again, it’s 2022, they all are easy to assemble and leak free.

but will anyone besides me recommend cutting the hose with a chisel? You can't believe how well it works!

Until you miss the chisel and hit your thumb

I cut the hose with a chisel 3 decades ago

A brick chisel works the best. Lay the hose on a flat piece of aluminum and one good whack and you're done. Just grind it sharp. No frayed ends either.

I got some cheap azz cutter I got from Summit years ago. Works great.

If you're going to use cutter type hose ends go to the airport and buy a selection og assembly mandrels. A tip from my Airedale daughter-in-law.