Steel braided lines

Has anyone here upgraded to steel brake lines? Just want to know if you feel it was worth it.... and why..... I might give my car a complete break system and wheels an overhaul. Fresh coat on the calipers with rebuild kits, possible steel brake lines, chrome lip and possible black centers on the wheels..... Thanks, -Eli

Hi Eli, I just changed to the ss lines this weekend. Did it as part of a brake pad upgrade and complete flush with ate blue fluid. Nice sold feel in the pedal. I felt it was worth it for the pedal feel.

Thanks Dave...... Let me know when or if you track the car.... I'm looking for some track results since I'm thinking taking her out in 2006. -Eli

I don't think SS braided brake lines are a good idea on the street at all. Unless you are really on top of it there is no way to inspect the lines for wear, the improvement (if any) in pedal feel is minimal at best and not worth the potential trouble. On the other hand, if you track the car a lot and frequently inspect and replace the lines then go for it. I see a lot of ricer tuners slap them on and forget about them, they are doing themselves a huge disservice IMO.

Doug, How often do you track your vehicle and how often do you replace your lines? Also are you running stocks or steel? -Eli

my stoptech kit included SS lines. very nice. they are coated in a clear rubber material so it won't saw into any components. the are DOT approved because of this. you haven't tracked her yet? just stick with oem and then decide if you should change them. i think a better mod would be to swap out for track pads. that'll get the most dramatic performance increase over the SS lines.

Eli, It really varies, I run anywhere from 2-10 DEs per year totally depending on my schedule. I run stock OEM lines because the car is a daily driver, for track events I'll change out to Pagid oranges, ATE fluid, CCW race wheels/R-compounds and a roll bar Those DOT approved lines that Carlos runs sound pretty good. I agree, for now just run oem with fresh brake fluid, then go up to a track type pad.

Forgive my ignorance, but other than having the hoses covered with steel wire to protect the exterior of the hose, what is the advantage of these types of hoses? It is still a rubber hose only with an exterior wire mesh. The "better pedal feel" is usually the result of bleeding the line during the install and getting moisture and air out of the line. Somehow, this seems to be one of those mods that go in the same category as the airbox mods. Looks nice, makes your wallet lighter, so you go faster.

hey, don't knock the airbox mod cuz it works the stainless lines prevent the rubber hose inside from expanding therefor giving you a firmer pedal. an ordinary rummer brake line will expand and may give you a squishier pedal.

A DOT approved brake line is made of a fiberglass braided reinforced synthetic rubber, and does not expand, except in conditions well beyond its worst case service environment. A person cannot push the brake pedal hard enough to make it expand, other components such as the master cylinder seals will fail way before a hose will fail. If you experience a squishy feel in your brake pedal, 99% of the time, it is either moisture or air in the brake lines, or under extreme circumstances (such as auto-x or DE) brake fluid overheating and boiling. A better investment is brake fluid with a higher boiling point.

hey you asked so i am just explaining. the intent was to minimize the stretch. i agree with you that most of the squishiness is due to air in the lines of fluid boiling. good to know that the oem lines are reinforced and good for day to day applications but ss lines may still be better for the track.

OK...........where's your test data on this? This isn't what the ad for the steel lines said. Seriously..........back when I changed, I was led to believe from several sources that at track extremes it might provide some value.......also, pretty cheap mod.

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Hi Eli, I am going to Watkins Glen this weekend with the local PCA. I'll let you know what I think after that. I agree that you need to inspect the SS lines often. I do about 6 DE events a year and have a lift in my garage so inspecting the lines is not a problem. Dave

have had the SS lines for year 3 now i believe. no problems yet although i admitidly don't see the track as offten as some others here so i'm not suprised that they've held up.

SS lines aren't a bad thing, it is just they don't give any advantage other than they they look good. Think about it, have you ever heard of anyone that blew a brake line (maybe an 50 year old beater with rotted lines) or a racer that had a DNF because of a ruptured line? The things are like airboxes, they make you think that you are faster, but in the end, it is still just your wallet that is lighter. Speaking of ads, here is something we should all get!

One reason you find them on race cars is to protect the brake lines from flying debris, a common occurance on a race track.

Exactly! the braid is an armor, not to keep a line from swelling.

this coming from someone who hasn't tried it, hmmmmm..... whatever

Guys, Thanks for the feedback and for the future feedback that will be left after "track-day", I didn't mean to cause debate. I was only looking for some answers from those with experience using them on and or off the track since I'm not a track-dog "If I may"..... Although I know what the basic reasons why most would purchase them I guess I just wanted to see if a lighter wallet was worth it..... Thanks again, "sorry I couldnt' post yesterday, the system seemed to be giving me issues late in the day" -Eli BTW: Tornado? That's funny.....