Are stainless steel brake lines worth it?
#23
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I see no reason NOT to upgrade to stainless lines if you are upgrading anyways. Besides, as savington said - on the track it's a safety issue.
Edit: I have stainless brake lines all around, and a clutch line. Very noticeable change vs the old 170k stock lines.
Edit: I have stainless brake lines all around, and a clutch line. Very noticeable change vs the old 170k stock lines.
#24
I'd still rather have rubber for safety reasons, unless you're willing to replace the braided lines every other season (or sooner if you race in a dusty/sandy environment). We run rubber in in with crimped connection in 300 bar applications next to 600*F coils of steel (well the really close stuff gets fire sleeve) with 280*F working fluid temps, with cyclic pressure loading.
#25
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Ah, no. I've seen several failed OEM rubber lines across several different cars. I'm sure SS line failures are out there, but in my experience, OEM lines aren't capable of withstanding the heat associated with track use.
I have both the Goodridge lines and our own lines (same mfg as FM/949). Small differences, but nothing that would make me pick one over the other, aside from the the $60 cost difference by going with our lines. The big benefit of the Goodridge lines is that they're always in stock when the other ones aren't.
Our SS lines aren't on the site yet, but they are in stock (d'oh). $95 for a full 4-wheel kit, $65 for a rear kit if you've done Wilwoods already in the front.
Our SS lines aren't on the site yet, but they are in stock (d'oh). $95 for a full 4-wheel kit, $65 for a rear kit if you've done Wilwoods already in the front.
#26
Is that a worthwhile upgrade on a stock horsepower miata? The stock brakes seem pretty good. I have done 10 track days at VIR, which is not the easiest track on brakes, no fade yet. I'm just looking for a little more pedal feel. The car stops really well.
If you are familiar with VIR, I brake a tad after the #1 brake marker on the back straight and between #3 and #4 on the front straight.
If you are familiar with VIR, I brake a tad after the #1 brake marker on the back straight and between #3 and #4 on the front straight.
I am a stock hp miata, on 205 street tires (nothing) and my brakes will smoke (don't have temp strips yet :/) if I have to go into pits (or stop for a red flag) without cooling down. I can't imagine any rubber handling that type of heat cycling for longer than 2 years anyway (which is probably the suggested life of SS lines, although I am sure they will last longer), so it seems like a no brainer to me.
As for VIR-F, its not that bad on brakes, you get plenty of long straights to cool them off. braking markers sound good though, that's about where I am braking too (depending on the line you want to take into 14).
Lastly, welcome from another Raleigh miata There is a few more around here...
#28
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I'd still rather have rubber for safety reasons, unless you're willing to replace the braided lines every other season (or sooner if you race in a dusty/sandy environment). We run rubber in in with crimped connection in 300 bar applications next to 600*F coils of steel (well the really close stuff gets fire sleeve) with 280*F working fluid temps, with cyclic pressure loading.
#34
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Do the community a favor and don't comment on parts you have no experience with, please.
#36
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I went from mystery fluid/pads and 10+ year old OEM rubber lines to SS lines, SuperBlue and Axxis Ultimates and almost put myself through the windshield the first time I really stomped on the brakes.
I've used SS lines from FM and 949 with no issues, and all are sheathed. Who the hell would buy bare SS braid lines? Buy from a quality vendor (ie: not ebay) and you should be fine. I've blown up rubber lines on 2 different cars and to be honest, I'm still not sure how I survived one of the incidences.
Goddammit Andrew! Seriously, PLEASE GET YOUR WEBSITE UPDATED! I go out of my way to spend money with Trackspeed and 949 because you guys are local, even if it costs a bit more. I'm sure Emilio doesn't mind taking my money, but shipping is faster from Sunnyvale than it is from the bowels of Southern California.
I've used SS lines from FM and 949 with no issues, and all are sheathed. Who the hell would buy bare SS braid lines? Buy from a quality vendor (ie: not ebay) and you should be fine. I've blown up rubber lines on 2 different cars and to be honest, I'm still not sure how I survived one of the incidences.
#37
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As said by others, my brake lines have a plastic sheath to prevent that type of thing from happening. In fact, when I bought the brake lines I got to choose the color of sheath I wanted
Anyways, I personally would take my SS lines over any rubber lines. They are awesome.
Anyways, I personally would take my SS lines over any rubber lines. They are awesome.
#38
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Goddammit Andrew! Seriously, PLEASE GET YOUR WEBSITE UPDATED! I go out of my way to spend money with Trackspeed and 949 because you guys are local, even if it costs a bit more. I'm sure Emilio doesn't mind taking my money, but shipping is faster from Sunnyvale than it is from the bowels of Southern California.