3/8 inch tubing + 1/2 fitting or 3/8 tube + 3/8 fittings?

[devilscow22]

what would be the difference in performance if i used 3/8 tubeing and sqeezed it over 1/2 fittings on my WB, pump ect. and if i used 3/8 tubeing and 3/8 fittings?.

80MM BIM
WB might be a MCW6000, Maze4, or a TDX
pump - http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=140&HS=1

and a very fancy top of the line T line.

[Graystar]

Probably none that you could measure.

[gungeek]

Getting thinwall 3/8ID tubing over 1/2OD barbs is very difficult even when heated. People normally use thickwall 3/8ID 5/8OD which is much easier to push over 1/2OD barbs, but then you are routing 5/8OD tubing in tight quarters for little gain.

The BIM is going to be the major limiting factor, it won't be the tubing size. If you had a larger radiator, then 1/2OD barbs would be more worthwhile.

[nissmo300]

Getting thinwall 3/8ID tubing over 1/2OD barbs is very difficult even when heated.

Nothing like boiling water and a little vasaline can't handle ;)

[Alacritan]

Why bother? Your tubing is 3/8" ID so using a couple fittings that are larger won't benefit you at all. Your flow rate is only as high as the smallest opening will allow.

[devilscow22]

well i was thinking that it would be easier to find and sell later on if it was 1/2 fittings. Most things i see for sale are 1/2.

[legendosiris]

i just did mine with 3/8ID tubing and all fittings are 1/2OD. I partially did it for future proof, so i could get 1/2ID tubing later if i wanted. The real benefit i think is that with 1/2OD barbs/fittings, the ID of all your equipment (barbs, fittings, tubing) is all damn near 3/8ID. If you used 3/8OD fittings that means the ID of your fittings is gonna be even smaller :-/

I could be wrong, but it makes sense to me. Just be ready to use a hair dryer or something. Btw, i used tygon 3/8ID 1/2OD

[PROkillernoodle]

Why not just get a couple 1/4" NPT 3/8" OD fittings? That would fit the pump, and I think the ones for the waterblock are probably the same.

[Xymurgy]

The difference will be negligible, but there will still be a difference. I'd go with the 1/2 barbs for two reasons:

-It will still be better for your flow (3/8 ID tubing on 3/8 ID barbs is a nice match).

-You probably won't need to use clamps on your barbs. Once your tubing cools around the barbs, you'll need to cut the tubing in order to remove it. Less chance of leaks.

Actually three reasons. In case you want to sell it or start using 1/2" tubing later.