Braided lines

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by Dacula Dean, Jun 5, 2006.

  1. Dacula Dean

    Dacula Dean Member

    Please humor me. In school, they taught diminishing marginal returns, and I said, "so, doesn't everyone understand this?" I'm always hung up on bang for the buck. So....

    I see three big things a person can do to the braking system. (1) Replace the pads. (2) Replace the fluid. (3) Replace the lines.

    Let's say you do pads and fluid. After you've gotten used to that, you go and replace the lines. How big a change do you feel? I see lots of people that talk about replacing all three, but I can't get a sense for how much the lines do.

    Lines aren't that expensive. Why am I asking? Well, because I don't have the time or practice to do them myself, so I'm looking at paying the cost of labor, too. Now, they become a bit more pricey.

    Thanks for the experience.
    Dean
     
  2. miloman

    miloman Retired Admin

    i dont have them but they are supposed to make the pedal feel firmer and less mushy... the mushy feeling comes from the stock lines bulging under pressure

    there is an install day coming up... u can bring them there and maybe buy lunch for someone who would be willing to help you :)... a lot of people on here are pretty experienced...
    http://www.wrxatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7115
     
  3. pEd

    pEd This ain't no Piccadilly!

    one of the best things I've done for my car.

    Bring them to the install day and we'll get it changed out.
     
  4. clemsonscooby

    clemsonscooby Active Member

    I definitely liked the lines. I feel it more when I am autox'ing, when the fluid inside the lines is really hot. It feels like the ABS kicks in a lot less. Although, I didn't do the lines by themselves, so I can't say whether it was the pads, fluid, lines, or a combination that caused the feeling. Those three things are the by far the best thing you can do to your brake besides moving to a BBK. Like milo said, wait for the install day.
     
  5. rolling_trip

    rolling_trip Active Member

    lines make a big difference. of course, i did all three together, but you will feel the difference in your petal without a doubt.
     
  6. goixiz

    goixiz Active Member

    remember if you change the fluid it cost $
    and if you do the lines later you will need more fluid = more $

    Lines are easy to change - if you can change the pads you can change the lines. just need to make sure you have a 10mm brake line wrench (forgot the name). you will be SOL if you round that soft nut.

    If you are doin it yourself you will need a speedbleeder (vacuum bleeder) otherwise someone can pump while you handle the bleeder.
     
  7. Meredith

    Meredith Banned

    Beware, SS lines will take out of stock class for SCCA. Upgrading your pads won't ;)
     
  8. BrianGT

    BrianGT Banned

    I did mine in steps for my s2000, and I noticed a very slight difference in the braking of the car when I swapped lines, but it wasn't major. I didn't track my car before I installed the lines, but I have been told that when the fluid gets really hot under extreme braking sessions, such as a track day, the SS braided lines might a difference.

    Nevertheless, I have kept the stock likes on the STi and EVO, and just gone to more aggressive pads and high temp fluid and have no braking troubles.

    If you aren't going to track the car, I would just keep the stock lines. Also, if you get SS braided lines, get the coated ones, as dirt/sand/road grit can get into the non-coated SS lines and wear them down over time (long term issue).

    --
    Brian
     
  9. clemsonscooby

    clemsonscooby Active Member

    Its the flair nut wrench. It is an important tool. Also make sure you don't over torque the banjo bolt on the brake knuckle that bolts the new line on (13ft/lbs.).
     
  10. calmnothing

    calmnothing Shlimp Flied Lice Supporting Member

    I will be doing this mod as well on the install day. It'll be easy since I'm changing out the springs and will have everything apart and in the air anyways.
     
  11. 1ll-WRX

    1ll-WRX Active Member

    definitely want to check this install out....something to think about in the future...
     
  12. Dacula Dean

    Dacula Dean Member

    Thanks to all for the info. I can't tell, yet, whether I'll be able to make it to the install day.
     
  13. Alex

    Alex Community Founder Staff Member

    The story goes that stock lines are cappable of flexing when they're warm, hence the upgrade. I've got them on my car, and have tracked without them and with them. Ive noticed a change in pedal feel mostly, not stoppping power. It feels much more solid and responsive :bigthumb:

    ss vs stock

    [​IMG]
     
  14. knhtrdr

    knhtrdr Active Member

    If you have ss lines,pads,fluid shouldn't you upgrade the rotors too at the same time. or is it not that nessasary.
     

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