Selecting the right fittings for all your plumbing needs can seem like a lackluster chore. As the piles of anodized aluminum fittings amass, and your wallet feels a little lighter, it can become difficult to really appreciate the investment you are making in the future of your build.

While the demand from mechanics, engine builders, and customizers hasn’t changed much in the last century — and AN fittings to fit the bill appear to be a stagnant offering, suppliers like Fragola have been toiling away to improve and streamline the offerings.

We caught up with Brint McLellan of Fragola at PRI in Indianapolis to see what’s new in the performance plumbing world. Among the new offerings for 2015 was a line of O-Ring Boss (ORB) fittings for an assortment of applications. “We’re promoting a new product here at PRI, all our ORB fittings are direct-fit, available in sport-crimp hose-ends, reusable 2000 series hose ends, work with our black nylon race-hose, and our real-street hose,” explained McLellan.

In the past an O-Ring hose may have been subject to limitations in fluid contact as some rubbers are susceptible to degradation when they are introduced to fuel, oil, alcohol, or other fluids. Applications for the new ORB fittings are all-encompassing.

“Fuel systems, dry-sump systems, oiling systems, even some cooling system applications, all available in the black, type 2, bright-dip anodized finish, and universal vyton O-rings — good for E85, nothing is going to eat it,” continued McLellan.

An additional benefit to the design of these fittings comes into play in the packaging department. Anyone who has tried to cram a bundle of unioned hoses into a tight engine bay or through a fire wall knows the frustration. The new ORB fittings from Fragola remove the need to stack fittings, for a more compact unit. For your plumbing needs, check out Fragola’s site.