M104-AMG

iTrader: (8)

Is it worth install stainless-steel oil-metering lines, or are the factory ones just fine.

Cost is about the same either way.

:-) neil

Smitter

stainless steel ones are a worthwhile upgrade, the stock ones are plastic and become very brittle and can crack. i have also seen some single turbo cars melt them due to the heat

chagar

I totally agree with Smitter. Go stainless.

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

FWIW I pulled my stock OMP lines off during a rebuild at 87k and they looked pretty good. No leaks, still had some flex to them. I was surprised since I'd heard the stories too. I'd already bought a stainless set to go back in. They were a minor PITA to route since they're not pre-bent like OEM and you don't want to twist them. Either way, stock or stainless, be sure to use new washers at both ends.

Heres another option.... https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...light=omp+line

shmacklepap

iTrader: (15)

My ENTIRE engine bay caught fire(literally), because of those damn stock lines.
Yes, you do want to get the stainless steel lines. On the motor I picked up for a swap, the stock lines were so brittle, when I barely it picked up off the motor, it snapped the plastic line right where it attaches to the fitting.

Its a pain to get to if you aren't rebuilding your motor already though...

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

IMHO, they're not worth it. I think a lot of people see "braided stainless steel" and get really excited over it.

The stock lines work really well - they're pre-bent, fit just right, and do the job. After a bunch of mileage, they will be brittle, but they're typically not bumped or messed with during routine work on the car. The only time they typically break is when they're removed to do some major engine work.

I don't like braided stainless as it can eat through most anything it comes in contact with - the surface is VERY abrasive, and can eat through hoses, wiring, you name it. You can also buy a few sets of the Mazda lines for one set of the stainless lines.

If you're in there and are doing major engine work (like rebuilding the motor) I'd say get a new set of Mazda lines and be done with it. They last a long time - I'd be interested to see if the stainless lines hold up as well with that many miles.

With them melting with single turbo installs - that's not a fault of the lines, but a fault of the turbo install. Moving the turbo forward puts a major heat source right by not just the lines but the OMP as well. Good heat shielding and ceramic coating is the order of the day in that situation.

I also can't see how the stock lines could make an engine bay catch fire - oil isn't that flammable, and the output of the lines is extremely low.

Dale

caredden

iTrader: (148)

^^^^

You generally are not touching those lines when doing routine maintenance. I just had my motor out, but opted for stock lines, as I was worried about the SS lines rubbing on other items...too risky for me.

Just my $.02

Charlie

Smitter

the stainless steel lines have a thick rubber coating over top the ss, what are these lines gonna rub on, sounds like your reaching with that.

find me one person that had a failure due to the ss lines & i will find u 3 that have had a failure do to the stock plastic ones

shmacklepap

iTrader: (15)

+1

From my car, it was the source of the fire

shmacklepap

iTrader: (15)

I was honestly going to go with OEM Mazda lines again, but it scared me to death how brittle that line got from age, and heat. I also dont think that the SS lines are too expensive, as nearly everything on Fd's are expensive :p

HawaiianRedMako

SS lines costs about $90-100, make sure you have the upgraded oil injectors. The original oil injectors have a tendency to create a temporary no flow condition during high boosting periods, thus no oil to the apex seals.

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

I didn't know they had a coating - the originals were bare stainless, they must have updated them.

Your second comment is silly - the majority of people have the stock OMP lines, and the stainless lines haven't been around long enough for any meaningful long-term failure data. I've taken apart JDM motors with 30-40,000 miles that still had VERY soft and flexible OMP lines. Age and heat do kill the OMP lines, but again they're fine if you leave them alone, even if they do get brittle.

Personally, I'd rather put the Mazda lines on there that fit perfectly and put the money I saved into something more pressing for the engine. They'll be good for another 80-100,000 miles at least.

Dale

DJF(NJ)

iTrader: (6)

I just put new(Mazda) ones in with my new engine last month. At over 14 years old and 55K miles, they are in good working condition, but I decided to replace a whole bunch of parts so those were included. I think they were 30 bucks from Ray@Malloy. I had asked Dave@KDR beforehand too, and he said stick with OEM. FWIW, my old ones are in the FS section.

M104-AMG

iTrader: (8)

Actually, with my discount, it's 1/2 the cost of the stainless lines even with a sheath around it.

Even though my lines have less than 5K miles on them, I'll change them out on GP.

:-) neil

Dudemaaanownsanrx7

iTrader: (23)

i made my own lines, i think they are better then the stock lines as they are flexible. they are also clear so you can see the oil flowing through them. They were cheap to make as well. here is a thread that was very helpful.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ight=omp+lines

M104-AMG

iTrader: (8)

How long ago did you make them ?

Are they still flexible ?

:-) neil

Dudemaaanownsanrx7

iTrader: (23)

Prob about 5000 miles ago. Still like new

caredden

iTrader: (148)

I, like Dale, did not know about the covering over the SS lines. Only ones I had messed with did NOT have any coating on them.

I have not seen the new lines, but the OEM ones are preformed and make installation extremely easy. If the new SS & covered lines were preformed, then this might be a little more appealing.

Only time I have seen OEM lines break is when they were being removed as part of an engine breakdown. This does NOT mean they don't break, but just that I have not seen them arbitrarily break.


Charlie