http://www.rx7.com/store/rx7/fdssoilmeteringlines.html

Just curious of anyone is using these. I want to replace my stock ones anyway, and these look like a good unit.

 

I used them on my FC about 5 years ago when my OEM lines sprung a leak. They are nice and if I remember correctly they were priced similarly with the OEM oil lines.

I do, however remember reading (after I installed mine) a post that talked about taking your old oil lines to a local shop that repairs hydrolic equipment (Bobcat, CAT, etc.) and having them construct a new set for less than half of the price of the ones at RP and Mazdatrix.

 

If you are going to replace your omp lines, there is no point going with stock ones. The SS ones don't cost much more and will last almost forever. I tried having a hydrolic shop make some, but they had alot of trouble sourcing the correct end fittings. Might as well buy them from one of the vendors.

 

I had my OMP lines replaced with the stainless steel ones that rotary performance(www.rx7.com) sells because mine started to crack and become brittle. In my opinion it was worth it because the stock ones are fragile and get brittle over time due to the heat coming from the engine, they sometimes will also break when handling them because of this, better safe than sorry.

 

Since your engine is out of the car, I would recommend using them when you put everything onto the new rebuild.

IMO, I don't think it's a good mod to do while everything on the car is working fine, but it just makes sense to do it while everything it out of the car. BTW, I'll be using them (but I got mine from Gotham).

 

Just installed those while I was changing my FPD. Once you see how fragile the originals are...you'll feel a lot better about these SS lines.

 

I have them and they are much better quality than the stock ones. Keep in mind, though, that if you car still has the rats nest it's a real pain in the *** to replace the OMP lines (unless you are in there for some other reason ).

 

Why not use the stock end fittings if the stock lines are bad...

 

There's a thread around here somewhere on how to make your own for virtually nothing. I saw that about a week after I put my car back together...grr.

 

Bajaman - Yes, definatly worth it. We all know the agony of worrying about cracking one when we are playing w/ the alt. or crank pulley. The inner core isn't supposed to EVER turn brittle like the stock lines...and there is a metal sheath to boot.

 

here we go:
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/rebuilding-omp-oil-injection-lines-348068/

 

The only negative aspect of the SS OMP lines is the opinion that they are overkill for pressure and temps they see (thus inflating the price more then necessary). If you have the means/ability you may want to consider the thread posted by poss. Or if the price isn't a problem compared to the work involved with making your own I would just go with the SS lines.

 

I think the stock lines work well and are cheap. I wouldn't use them.

I think there are potential down sides to them. Stainless sheath could rub on either the wiring harness or the internal hose. The aren't formed so they might not fit well or stay where they are put.

Many times people think they are upgrading things they actually downgrade them.

 

My take -

The stock lines do get brittle over time, but they typically won't break or leak if disturbed. It's just like the stock rubber vacuum lines - they're just fine as-is until you try to remove them, that's when they break.

If you're doing something that will require the removal of the lines, go ahead and get a new set from Mazda. You can get MANY new lines from Mazda for the cost of the stainless braided lines. I'm also with Jeff - I've had more than one problem on past cars caused by stainless braid rubbing against something. That stuff is INCREDIBLY abrasive, and can easily eat through wiring, hoses, metal lines, even other stainess braided lines!

Making your own or having a hose shop make them is a good idea, but I would have to be VERY comfortable that they would be solid and will hold up. It's a helluva lot of work to go back in and fix them, and sometimes it's even hard to tell they're leaking in the first place. Stock lines from Mazda are a sure thing.

Dale

 

BTW, just read the thread on rebuilding the OMP lines. That's actually a pretty sound way of tackling it - my big concern would be making sure they're routed well so they're not rubbed through. The Mazda lines are formed, of course. These could maybe be formed with a heat gun, but I'd be worried about degrading the material.

One thing many don't realize about parts - that keen shiny new part that you're replacing an old, dirty, busted stock part with? Guess what, in a few years it will be old and crappy too. Even stuff that's properly heat rated might not look so hot in 100,000 miles.

As Yoda says, "When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not.".

Dale

 

What is the price and where can one get an OEM set? Dealer only? I'm all for keeping as much stuff stock for EXACTLY the reasons turbojeff and DaleClark list.

 

Would coating the lines in plasti dip (I believe that's what it's called), or another ss braided line coating solve that problem?

I'm also curious if anyone has heard of, or experienced rubbing problems specific to the OMP lines (wouldn't be hard to imagine considering their location), or if this is speculation based on problems with other ss line replacements at this point.

 

They are Mazda only parts. IIRC they were about $15-20/ea from Mazda comp, not really that much IMHO.

 

The ones I just installed had a protective sheath so the steel lines doesn't saw through anything. They are stiff, so it takes more effort to route them correctly. If I ever have to do them again, I would attach at the pump first then route up to engine.

 

The stock lines are almost certainly lighter, too.

Back when I had my FC T2, my alternator belt fell off and I had a shop replace it. I later discovered that they broke one of my OMP lines. An SS line might have survived that scenario.

-Max