I keep seeing photos and suggestions of people's installation of replacement hoses in the FD from Japanese websites, etc. I've seen hoses for the radiator that look like steel-braided reinforced clear tubes. I've seen these at home depot but they don't look that heat-resistant. Does anyone know what hoses like that could be used in the FD? I think it'd be an advantage to see how the cooling system was working and what your fluid looked like :P Also, a lot of people are using steel lines for oil. Would it be easy to hook-up steel lines to the stock turbos and replacing all other lines and housings and does anyone have any tips? I'm not looking to do this right away but was interested in what you guys thought. Thanks, -Joe

 

Bump, I am looking into this aswell... any improved lines that can better handle the heat output of our cars is a plus.

I have seen some blue radiator and oil lines in the past on some cars here, I was always curious as to how they held up and where to get some.

~Kris

 

You can use silicone hose for coolant - works well and is quite heat resistant. Hose Techniques sells silicone heater hose for smaller (up to 3/4" or so I think) applications.

Not sure what clear hose you're talking about. I have seen a number of cars with clear braided looking hose for the PCV system going to a catch can, but not for coolant. You'd see green in the tubes if coolant was in there .

I really haven't seen anything showing that the stock radiator hoses are less than ideal - seems they have about the same life as any other radiator hose on any other car. Just as long as you replace them with Mazda parts, you should get quite a bit of life.

That said, I think Samco or someone makes silicone replacement hoses that are molded just for the 3rd gen. Very nice, but VERY pricey.

Matter of fact -
http://www.samcosport.com/samco.asp?make=mazda

You can pick your color, too.

Dale