Braided lines throughout ?
08-29-08, 12:28 AM
#1
5th is most fun
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Braided lines throughout ?
Hey guys, I am switching to a single turbo over the winter, and with that, I am replacing my intercooler with a front mount, a vertical mount radiator and extensive work to the fuel system. I understand that usually braided line upgrades for most poeple are limited to brake lines, but I am interested in more. I don't necessarily want stainless everything, unless its better of coarse but more so nylon or kevlar blends, lighter, stronger, lines throughout my entire car. I know alot of guys run stainless fuel syetems from the back of the car bypassing the hard oem lines to reduce resistance and to literally carry more fuel, is it worth it, opinions ? Also I would like to switch my oil lines, what products has everyone had the best experience with. And lastly, the water lines, silicon is probably best but I cant find a kit for the rad once it is placed vertical in the engine baay, what is everyone doing instead, can you simply purchase straight tube and bend it somehow ?? Any and all input is appreciated. Cost effectiveness isnt really a top priority.
08-29-08, 01:12 AM
#2
Regarding the fuel set-up... what is your power goal? There are plenty of cars pushing a lot of fuel through the stock hardlines and only changing the lines, rails, injectors, in the engine bay. You can use anything you want that will hold up.
Regarding the oil lines...What car are we talking about here? If it's an FD, I believe there is a dual oil cooler kit group buy somewhere in the forum right now for a good deal... If you only want to change the lines, you can use braided lines, or even high pressure rubber lines...
Regarding the radiator hoses... My suggestion would be to spend some time at the parts store looking for the right coolant hose with the right bends that will work. I had to do the same with my-set-up.
Hope that helps.
Regarding the oil lines...What car are we talking about here? If it's an FD, I believe there is a dual oil cooler kit group buy somewhere in the forum right now for a good deal... If you only want to change the lines, you can use braided lines, or even high pressure rubber lines...
Regarding the radiator hoses... My suggestion would be to spend some time at the parts store looking for the right coolant hose with the right bends that will work. I had to do the same with my-set-up.
Hope that helps.
Last edited by PandazRx-7; 08-29-08 at 01:14 AM.
08-29-08, 04:18 PM
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As far as my horsepower goals, in the 500 range. In regards to the stainless suggesstions, i read alot on the Goodrich site about all of their prroduct lines. Is the stainless mainly providing strength on the outside, is kevlar or nylon a better , lighter fit? What is the best lightest product if money isnt a big concern.
08-29-08, 04:45 PM
#7
I don't see you needing to replace the stock hardlines all the way to the pump. Just replacing the lines in the engine bay should be sufficient. I used stainless, it is kinda a pain but it works well and is strong. The lines really are not that heavy. I DO HIGHLY reccommend that should you go with stainless you wrap it with some sort of protective covering anywhere it is going to rub anything else. It will wear down whatever it is rubbing on.
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08-29-08, 06:11 PM
#8
Here's my $0.02:
For fuel: I like the braided stainless rubber lines -- Aeroquip is my favorite because I like the ease of assembly of their fittings. The stainless cover is there to protect the rubber inside. As was mentioned earlier, you have to watch the routing, but then, that is true of any material you use. I use as little flexible line as possible and use 304SS hard line for the remainder -- especially under the car. (The OEM hard lines are just about as good) Hard line offers less flow resistance per foot, is more durable, occupies less space, is cheaper per foot, stays exactly where you put it -- etc. etc. I use 37 deg flares at the ends to transition to other fittings. Aluminum isn't too bad, but SS isn't much more expensive & it's a lot tougher.
For oil: I like the braided stainless, too. The runs are usually a lot shorter, so it usually isn't worth transitioning to hard line. For oil feed to turbo, either use all hard line or the teflon braided stainless for its greater heat resistance vs. the rubber stuff.
For coolant: Silicone is the way to go. Braided stainless is good too, but all the connections to nipples means a lot of adaptation and high cost. If you need to make complex and unusual bends, you can buy angled silicone sections (45, 90, etc.), and you can buy mandrel bent tubing. By welding the right extension onto your coolant outlet connector and radiator, and transitioning between these, you can recreate any shape you need. Either get the hose clamps with an inner protector so they won't chew up your hoses or get constant tension band (CTB) clamps like the OEMs use. Believe it or not, CTBs seal better than other clamps because they can expand and contract with temp fluctuations while still maintaining "constant tension".
For fuel: I like the braided stainless rubber lines -- Aeroquip is my favorite because I like the ease of assembly of their fittings. The stainless cover is there to protect the rubber inside. As was mentioned earlier, you have to watch the routing, but then, that is true of any material you use. I use as little flexible line as possible and use 304SS hard line for the remainder -- especially under the car. (The OEM hard lines are just about as good) Hard line offers less flow resistance per foot, is more durable, occupies less space, is cheaper per foot, stays exactly where you put it -- etc. etc. I use 37 deg flares at the ends to transition to other fittings. Aluminum isn't too bad, but SS isn't much more expensive & it's a lot tougher.
For oil: I like the braided stainless, too. The runs are usually a lot shorter, so it usually isn't worth transitioning to hard line. For oil feed to turbo, either use all hard line or the teflon braided stainless for its greater heat resistance vs. the rubber stuff.
For coolant: Silicone is the way to go. Braided stainless is good too, but all the connections to nipples means a lot of adaptation and high cost. If you need to make complex and unusual bends, you can buy angled silicone sections (45, 90, etc.), and you can buy mandrel bent tubing. By welding the right extension onto your coolant outlet connector and radiator, and transitioning between these, you can recreate any shape you need. Either get the hose clamps with an inner protector so they won't chew up your hoses or get constant tension band (CTB) clamps like the OEMs use. Believe it or not, CTBs seal better than other clamps because they can expand and contract with temp fluctuations while still maintaining "constant tension".
