Installed my SS brake lines - pics and advice
 

Thanks to all the guys that helped me with the stripped flare nut advice. If you plan on doing this mod, make SURE you get a HIGH quality flare nut wrench, I used a cheapo from an auto store and it stripped the flare nut (common occurace I found out)... so pay the extra $$ and goto sears and buy a craftsman 10mm flare nut wrench, it was like a magic tool on the flare nuts. For more details see this thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=202016

I purchased the goodridge set, and they were a perfect fit and seemed to be very high quality. I recommend them.

Be sure to have lost of clean up rags around :-)

The goods, it came with everything you needed (new washers, et):
http://myrx7.com/images/brakes/ss_brakelines_box1.jpg

close up of center fitting:
http://myrx7.com/images/brakes/ss_br...s_closeup2.jpg
close up of fittings:
http://myrx7.com/images/brakes/ss_br...s_closeup1.jpg

compare to stock:
http://myrx7.com/images/brakes/ss_br...s_compare1.jpg

compare to stock:
http://myrx7.com/images/brakes/ss_br...s_compare2.jpg

compare to stock:
http://myrx7.com/images/brakes/ss_br...s_compare3.jpg

front installed:
http://myrx7.com/images/brakes/ss_brakelines_front.jpg

rear installed:
http://myrx7.com/images/brakes/ss_brakelines_rear.jpg

by the way, i got mine from tirerack:

G-stop brakeline kit 4line = $123.00

looks good man, I just got mine on a few days ago. Make sure ubleed those brakes well!! and be careful on the front caliper bleeders. If you strip them PM me, I'll tell you what do to! :)

Steve

heheh steve, yeah, i will bleed the heck out of the entire system...

Looks great--thanks for taking the pics.

Be sure to post and let us know of any braking improvements. I've read mixed reviews thus far and have stayed with the stockers b/c of it.

Dont want to steal anyone's thunder here, but I did the ss lines on my FD, along with putting Motul 600 in the system (replaced the old fluid), and it made a world of difference in both pedal feel (totally solid...not a squishy thing about it, like with stock lines), but my braking ability.

With the old lines/fluid I had to put the pedal damn near to the floor to really get a good brake feel. Now it's nothing like it, and I *highly* recomend this cheap mod. I can't think of a single downside.

GoodFellas, what were you referring to when you've "read mixed reviews"?

Goodfellas and Sanjo,

I installed the same lines....some people had fitment issues with the goodridge lines in which the line would not sit correctly and twist. There is a flat spot in the bolt that "keys" into the stock location.

the problem with these lines for me are
1)didn't notice any improvements in feel (older posts state that if your stock line are good these offer little difference)

2) the goodridge lines are UNCOATED...so dirt can get into the stainless lines, abraid, and cause an early failure.

there was a thread about this and the fitments...do a search under my name

here is the thread where artowar mentions the problem with stainless lines

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...ght=brake+line

changed mine with the same goodridge stuff, motul 600 and Hawk HP+ pads all around. These made a whole lot difference in brake feel.

There was some problem with the goodridge lines, I have to twist mine a little bit by about 1/4 to 1/2 turn to make the ends fit. I helped my friend to do his, and his set is good, I don't have to twist much more than 1/8 on his. So Goodridge is being not consistent at all in their products, I may change mine in a year or two. You suppose to change it quite often if using SS brake lines.

Reza

hmm ... very good info, i have some of that plastic dip stuff and may coat my lines since i do a lot of road cource events.

incidentally, i'm not sure, cos i'd have to go and look, but the RP lines I got from rx7.com might already be coated. I'll try and get a look sometime soon, but i'm bedridden for a while due to surgery :/

Good kit. I put the same kit on a year ago, but got mine new off E-bay for $75 :)

Sanjo,

your right...mazdaspeed also use to carry coated lines as well as some of the goodridge lines for other models are coated...I think reza had his coated by Goodridge themselves??

not sure though

I had put the S/S lines on with the hope of getting rid of the initial soggy feeling when I apply my brakes. I had bled the brakes countless times and figured it was the OEM lines. I went ahead and put new disc's, pads, flushed the fluid and put speed bleeders on all at the same time. I didn't notice any difference in pedal feel and still have the initial soggy feeling when I first hit the brakes, if I pump it once - it get's firmer the 2nd time....very frustrating!

Still, a good looking set of lines, however, in my case -did not solve my problems.

GEB.

ok, added coating
 

i had some of that red plastic dip stuff around so i coated my ss lines as a suggestion to keep dirt/sand from getting in the braids and chaffing the teflon....

http://myrx7.com/images/ss_brakelines_coated2.jpg

close up:
http://myrx7.com/images/ss_brakelines_coated1.jpg

some of the rubber dip stuff would not stick to the ss lines well, it would crack or flake off....dunno if the lines had some oil coating or what, but I am also going to use the split loom stuff.... pics of that to come later...

hey damian! that looks great!

mine didn't come out that well...but maybe it was becuase it was the clear...

Did you use the actual "dip" or the spray can? If you used the spray can did you just mask it off and spray??

thanks 7rqacer, i used the dip with a small paint brush and brushed it on, i think if i were to do it again, i would get the spray and sray them before installing them.

damian...

i did the spray and it took forever. You only get a light coat so I had to put multiple coats on before I could get the same effect as you....

i think the dip is the way to go...

I've read the mixed reviews about feel, too. On my car, I had a much firmer pedal after I replaced the lines with SS, but I also swapped the pads and bled them well when I installed the new lines. My stock lines were also pretty old. With the condition of my stock lines in question, and the other changes I made at the same time, it is hard to say for sure if the lines had a significant effect or not.

I don't regret installing them at all -- I figure they can't hurt and I was pleased with how the pedal felt when I was done installing everything. The difference was very noticable.

-Max

well, here is a pic with the split loom wire covering stuff on it too :-) just to help keep dirt out since i did see some cracking in the rubber dip stuff that i put on.

http://www.myrx7.com/images/ss_brakelines_yellow1.jpg

too bad that after all this... (ss lines, replace master cylinder, flush fluid twice, bleed system like 8 times, and bench bled the mc twice)... I still have a problem with the system letting the pedal travel too far... I compared to 2 other 3rd gens and they both agreed, my car stops but the pedal travels more that you think it should...dam, im gonna have to do what I don't want to do, take it to a brake shop, I have done everything in mechanical ability to no avail :-(

ooh, yellow split loom tubing over red plasti-dip! What's that good for, 5, 6 horsepower? :D

lol...i though 15-20 :-)

so after driving on them a little bit, what do you think? Worth the money?

when i replaced mine i didnt really notice a difference. however, my stock lines looked as if they were just replaced so that is where the difference would have occurred. i did feel a difference on my 200K mile 90 crx Si. they are worth every penny. its important to know the feeling of a real pedal
kris

Very worth the money. I paid the $130 (though I thought it was less back when I did it) for the RP lines from rx7.com, but I also did all my pads at the same time. I highly recommend this upgrade if you're going to spend any time at the track. At the same time, might as well go with speedbleeders and Motul 600 :D