How much of an improvement over stock are the stainless steel brake lines? On the stillen website, it makes the difference seem dramatic. Is it really worth the investment? My brakes are stock now, but I'm about to install brembo blanks with hawk HPS pads for improved braking performance... I'm wondering should I get the ss brake lines too? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
p.s... I did do a search, and could not find enough info to make an informed decision.. thanx

 

this has actually been talked about quite a bit so I'm sure you didn't look hard enough....but the consensus is that it does not improve braking performance (READ: stopping distances will not be shorter, though theoretically they should be shorter, though not by any appreciable or even measureable amount) but rather only braking feel. The stainless steel lines obviously prevent the lines from expanding under pressure and make the pedal more firm and less spongy. Gives the driver a more confident feeling when it comes to braking.

Should you replace them? Why not? If you're upgrading your brakes, you obviously take them seriously. The stock brake lines are rubber and do deteriorate over time due to the elements and constant hydraulic stresses exerted on them. SS lines are relatively cheap and add a little flash. Decision is ultimately up to you to decide whether or not you want to spend the money on them. Some people will say buy them, some will say it's a waste of money.

There are three types of SS lines that I am aware of: the Technafit lines sold by AutoMax in the GD section; Goodridge lines (The Tire Rack is one such vendor); and Crown Performance SS lines with Kevlar, sold through G Spec Performance (www.gspec.com). There will be many debates over which are better, if there is such a thing. They obviously differ in price. Make your own decision on which ones you want to get based on your budget and how extravagant you want to be.

Hope this helps. And donate the $20 to the org to actually search, it will be money well spent.

 

cool.. thanx man.. i'll see how the brakes feel once i install the new rotors and pads, then make a decision

 

I was debating whether to get SS line also. I have Cobra 13" rotors and Q45 caliper( not installed yet but very soon). I was thinking of thrying to see what they felt like without the SS lines first.

 

ok i just got my brembo rotors in the mail and im gonna install them with the hawk over the weekend... on the box it says use brake cleaner to clean off the rotors.. should i go out and buy some? or is water good enough to rinse them off

 

warm soapy water is good enough

 

brake cleaner costs like $3 a can, if that.....doesn't quite break the bank

 

SS lines reduced brake fade for me...

 

I have also noticed brake fade has all but disappeared with the brembos/hawk pad/ss line combo...


Though I think the hawk pads have more to do with the reduced brake fade vs the ss lines..hawk pads seem to love heat..

 

Definitely reduced fade, but instead of a spongy feel, it feels a lot more tighter, more direct I suppose.

 

I've never heard that, is there an explanation for why SS brake lines reduce brake fade?

 

they don't...in theory they just increase the firmness of the pedal slightly, since the lines don't expand when you jam on the brakes. that said, I didn't notice any major difference when I put the SS lines on....there's a difference, but it's pretty minimal IMO.

 

if you don't have brake cleaner accessible and need to clean the factory oils/greases off the rotor, I've seen some rotor companies that recommend using alcohol to clean them...I've used it in the past, works great...

 

My stock lines were probably worn when I swapped them out.

 

It depends, newer car rubber lines are not worn out and it will be a "minimal" difference, I swapped out mine on a 1989 240SX so needless to say, the stock ones were SUPER MUSHY compared to the new stainless lines.