OEM or Stainless?

[Robin7TFour]

hello all, while i have the p/s unit taken apart i am looking at replacing a bad caliper. should i replace all the brake lines with factory rubber or go with the stainless.
my thinking is for a daily driver/non-show/non-racer would stainless steel lines be overkill?

Robin

 

[photovette]

Mine is a daily driver too--who cares if a trailer queen 'vette can stop? It's my butt on the line here--I spare no expense on the brakes. The SS lines give a much more precise, firm feel to the pedal--helps you 'fine tune' your braking. It was a noticable improvement as well as a notch up on safety and reliability.

 

[Culprit]

Howdy Robin,

I went with the stainless flex lines and have no complaints at all. Of course when you're single and already placing an order for 4 new stainless sleeved calipers, it's easy to justify the difference in price between the rubber and the stainless lines - compared to the whole order, it isn't THAT much more.

The human mind can rationalize and justify anything!

All in all, I would make the same choice if I had to do it over again - with the rest of the brake system in good shape, it does improve the pedal feel (but then again new rubber lines would have been an improvement over the ones I tore off the car too...).

Semper Fi,
Culprit

 

[Edmond]

I say go with SS. It just seems like a logical upgrade over the OEM rubber. Unless the price is ridiculous. :eyerole

 

[Paranoid]

Another vote for the SS. I figure I'll only have to do this job once. I did the rear side-side a couple years ago and now with my engine out I'll have easier access to the distribution block.

I also used the SS braided line to the calipers.

 

[Fishman]

Hey Robin! If you need to hear it from anyone else... SS.

I imagine you already knew the answer. :L

Later friend... Brian

 

[Mac]

I've heard arguments that OEM steel is good enough. I saw what was left of my OEM steel when I pulled my car apart. Another vote for SS!

-Mac

 

[patsnitrovette]

Just swapped to stainless steel this morning and what a difference in pedal feel especially with the vb&p oring kit also.

 

[Robin7TFour]

hello, yes i sorta already knew the answer. i have prefered braided s/s lines on all my cycles. i was curious to see if someone had a compelling reason to stay with rubber flex lines. other than cost , braided is the way to go.
while shopping for a RF caliper, i'll be looking for the best price on hoses

Robin

 

[MoeJr]

Stainless all the way.

 

[GaryS]

My rubber lines lasted 30 years before I replaced them. I would go with rubber flex lines. I remember reading somewhere that stainless lines had an issue. Can't remember the "what" or "how" of it, just that there was some reason to think twice about SS.
Gary