I havBraking Efficiency: Are Braided Lines Helpful or Is It Just For Looks????

[skullandbones]

I'm in the process of breaking in the roadster. One of the upgrades I am looking at is running braided lines instead of the donor rubber lines. I also plan to run the front lines along the LCA for a cleaner look and also to make the install more efficient. There have been a lot of threads about brakes but I am getting mixed information on just how much difference the braided lines make in braking efficiency. One "expert" I spoke with said there is no significant improvement with them. But I have also heard there is a significant improvement in the pedal feel and action when stressing the system like autox. I think there is a good chance that I will benefit from more performance oriented pads but that is another subject. I have PBR calipers from a 2000 Mustang GT. I'm running a Wilwood pedal set with dual 3/4 in MC. The feel is pretty solid but I have not tested them for fade and extreme stops, yet.

Note: I realize that more and more people are using the braided lines as a given because it was either in the complete kit or their's was not a donor build. I would appreciate any experience you have had with the two cases (rubber vs. braided).

Thank you,

WEK.:cool:

[maczter]

Braided lines have less give to them and result in a firmer pedal feel. Make sure the lines you get to replace them are DOT approved as most lines, come in drag and street versions, with the drag being off-road use only.

[Bob Cowan]

Unless you're racing, save your money for something more useful. The difference is so small that you won't notice it.

[68GT500MAN]

Unless you're racing, save your money for something more useful. The difference is so small that you won't notice it.

That will depend on how old and soft the rubber lines are. Mine were old and expand when pressure was applied, the stainless ones solved the problem with a very noticeable difference.
Doug

[SnowCobra]

WEK,

I've had much success with braided brake lines. I wrench on and race 3 Alfa Romeo vintage racecars that run in vintage races and a Alfa Milano 24 Hours of Lemons car. All cars have had the stock rubber lines converted to braided stainless lines. The improvement in pedal feel is noticeable and much appreciated, although as Doug pointed out the difference depends on how poor your original rubber lines are. Anything you can do to take expansion and movement out of your braking system is going to improve pedal feel. And not for nothing they really aren't overly pricey, add a quality look to your car, and are probably somewhat less prone to failure due to road debris.

Ryan

[CraigS]

I couldn't feel much difference so I guess my rubber lines were in good shape. So, if you need to buy lines, might as well get braided. If you already have good rubber lines, use them.

[skullandbones]

I do want to change and reroute the front lines especially. That's why I said improve efficiency. I think avoiding an accident like a piece of metal flying into your rubber brake line and slicing it, would be a non issue with the steel lines. By routing them around the LCA, I think that would help keep them out of harms way. I kind of got the idea from the Porsche 918 (I think) where the lines were machined inside the LCAs or it could have been the MacClaren F1. Running them along the LCA arm is the next best thing.

I have rerouted my lines twice already due to wheel/tire and suspension changes. So maybe I can do one final change with the improved lines. I hope the pedal feel and performance is noticeable. I'm sort of in the mode of only doing things that will make the roadster go faster or stop faster at this time. Bodywork and paint will have to wait a while. Thanks, WEK.

[jimgood]

Most people that report "dramatic" improvement in pedal feel are just feeling the result of bleeding their brakes after installing the SS lines.

[seagull81]

Be sure they are Teflon lined and not rubber lined and are approved for that purpose.

[skullandbones]

I didn't know there was so much to look for in brake lines. It must be like shopping for tires. I will look for the Teflon coating and DOT.

I, too, am wondering about the change in brake pedal feel. Mine is "rock solid" as of now. It's not an easy stop pedal but it is very consistent and I guess for lack of a better word, linear. It is definitely different than driving my power assisted DD or my wife's Camero. I will start doing some baseline tests to see how many feet to stop with the brake lines I have and see if there is any improvement in the distance when I change. Appreciate the input. WEK.

[Eyesore]

I didn't know there was so much to look for in brake lines. It must be like shopping for tires. I will look for the Teflon coating and DOT.

I, too, am wondering about the change in brake pedal feel. Mine is "rock solid" as of now. It's not an easy stop pedal but it is very consistent and I guess for lack of a better word, linear. It is definitely different than driving my power assisted DD or my wife's Camero. I will start doing some baseline tests to see how many feet to stop with the brake lines I have and see if there is any improvement in the distance when I change. Appreciate the input. WEK.

If your pedal is "rock solid" and your not happy with stopping distance, maybe you need to change pads.

[skullandbones]

I really haven't challenged the braking system yet. I have been concerned with just basic driving and breaking the engine in. I will consider different pads if it does not stop within reasonable distances when I do that exercise. Yeah, I'm OK with the braking for the regular driving and stopping so far. From what I can interpret so far from the comments is that I may or may not really be able to tell a difference with the brake line change as my rubber lines are in pretty good condition. One set of lines I had from the donor were from a low mileage car and looked good. The second set was from a newer model so I expected them to be OK. So I will have to try some hard stops to see how she performs.

Thank you,

WEK.