Looking at upgrading my brake hoses with something like these

I'm curious if I'll see much difference in stopping power over stock lines in normal street conditions (I don't really track my car). To me, having a beastly super-fast car is awesome, but being able to stop quickly is just as important (and often overlooked). What are the advantages/disadvantages, and are they money well spent or wasted for a rural/backroads street car?

Thanks!

 

Wasted money on a street car. Only time they make a difference is on a track when doing a lot of threshold braking. Then they help a little bit. They help keep heat out of the brake fluid and help keep the rubber from expanding during hard braking.

The braided lines are notorious for leaking in the areas of the crimped ends. I had this issue with my sister's 93 40th. Drove car about 2 hours away and it developed a leak from one of the crimped ends. Was able to nurse it back home as the leak wasn't bad. Replaced both front lines with new rubber lines and haven't had an issue. My 91 has rubber lines on it and I use it pretty heavily in autocross events. No issues with the hoses.

If that concerned with safety, replace the hoses about every 2-3 years and you won't have to worry about them dry rotting and breaking.

 

Russell makes a set that is dot approved, so they will not develop leaks like the gentleman described above. Best part is a set of four is around $125.00 . That's cheaper than parts store replacements. I say if the car needs even one of them replaced do it. For the price is not even consider it an upgrade, just routine maintenance on a 30 year old car. If you do a lot of hard stop and go city driving or autocross use dot 4 brake fluid can help a little bit. As mentioned above it's not a profound difference, but every little bit helps, and the braided Russel hoses are a little bit lighter than oem design. Every little bit helps.

The difference between a great car and just a good car is all the little things like this. So if they need replacement I vote do it. Also look into the drm or mamo rear brake bias spring. Can decrease stopping times significantly, if you drive the car in spring and fall where roads can still have spots of black ice it may not be a good idea. But for most c4 guys this isn't an issue.

 

So, one for and one against lol.

For now I don't really have any issues with the current lines-they don't appear to be leaking or anything. That said, they are 35 years old which is cause for concern in itself. Should I be looking at replacing the lines, even though they aren't actually a problem right now?

 

Hello again Bfenty!

I use those lines on both of my Corvettes and they DO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE, despite the naysayers. The old hoses "expand" before applying the brakes. These SS braided hoses can't expand so the pressure goes to the brakes.

They make your pedal firmer and that is an improvement no matter how you look at it.

Be very careful to be sure that whatever brand you decide to buy has a D.O.T. tag with number on it. If you are involved in an accident and they find non-DOT approved hoses it could make problems for you. Classic Tube makes them and they are DOT approved. They come in different colors if you want....

These brake hoses should be replaced on virtually every Corvette out there. As the original hoses age they can expand more or even restrict the flow going to that wheel. The life span of those original Hoses should be 10-15 years max.

It is like the seat belts in older Cars. Turns out they loose a lot of their structural Integrity as they age, this allows them to break instead of holding you during an accident. I am now ready to replace the 53 year old seat belts in my C3 as they are the only protection I have, if they break I could be impaled on the steering wheel shaft before contacting the windshield.

Being "Safe" is very important to me and if I have to replace the belts then I replace them. The brake system is so important that I make sure the brakes work before I test the gas pedal. When I bought my BB C3 the Emergency brake was not working. I immediately ordered the SS E-Brake parts and fixed my brakes before I drove the Corvette.

I hope you and your family are doing well in these crazy times!

 

I did a C5 conversion at the same time, so I couldn't comment on firmness, but I've had the same Russell's SS lines and they've never leaked or anything for over a decade of use.

Strictly necessary? No they arent, not for street.

I would replace any OE rubber anything at 35yo though.

 

Where did you get the Russells? I can't find in stock anywhere.

 

This was some time ago, but my records indicate Ecklers.

 

As many 'COUNTERFITERS' there are out there I wouldn't buy anything from the 'thought to be reliable' sources.

I don't know if ECGS does pre-fabricated C4 but builders locally use these guys and also there's a local shop that does custom. ECGS I'm quite sure is DOT. I'd reach out to them or 'shop local'. One fellow here sends them 'known to fit' and they duplicate. I don't knowhow recent he's done builds using them but in the past yes!

Direct from Russell- yes

Call Russell and ask them for a suggested vendor that uses their lines and fittings.


https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/b-79...9695-ecgs.html

 

Brake lines can not possibly influence stopping power...until they blow. "Stopping power" is influenced by other components in the brake system.

 

Fair-they affect brake pedal firmness, which makes it easier for you to stop.

 

Easier? No. It's still the same force on the brake pedal. More "reassuring"? Sure. No doubt that a firm pedal "feels better" than a soft, mushy pedal. Braided lines do assist in pedal firmness.....slightly. We're talking a very small difference, however.

 

I used the Russell on mine as well. My experience is they only improve pedal feel. Which it did. People said they were short vs stock but mine were the exact same length as OE. I had bought replacement rubber ones but they were on the cheap side compared to what was on there and cost more than the braided. They were OE parts iirc. This was back in January. I could probably dig up receipts later.

I think I got mine on ebay but it was a reputable seller of speed parts I've used before... PN 692010 for the 84-87 Russell lines. I will say to get real copper crush washers as the ones included in the kit are small compared to what was used. I had one line leak at the bolt using the included washers.

 

It sounds like you're calling them snake oil...is there any reason AT ALL to get them? I mean, I think they at least LOOK nice and clean. Is that really all you're getting?

 

Now THAT we can agree on! They look great.
I have no idea if they work better, but I do love the way they look. Being honest with myself….my next set will be Russell’s for that reason alone!! Don’t give a **** about the science!!!!

 

No I wasn't calling them snake oil....I was responding to this claim:
...which we agree (I think) that is not true.

I think they look sweet too. I dig 'em. But when people say things like "difference in stopping power"....no. No it doesn't. They have their place, for sure.

 

Good deal. I’ll probably end up getting a set before too long then. I like the look as much as anything. Sounds like they won’t hurt anything, look better, and make the pedal firmer/are more durable.

next up-what else is a worthy upgrade on the brakes, preferably without going full c5 calipers (because I want to keep stock ‘85 wheels)? Just curious what’s possible for now, not necessarily going to run out and do it.

 

GOOD pads, next. If you don't already have them, and a good fluid flush, if you haven't already done it.

 

Was thinking of doing a full brake flush at the same time as hoses. Would be a good time to do it. I've done a lazy fluid swap by draining the reservoir and then refilling a few times. I know that doesn't really count, don't worry :P

What constitutes a good pad?

 

Opinons vary. I really like Hawk HPS for the street. They bite good, feel good, low dust (for the performance)....there are probably better pads for the street, but IDK b/c I've liked Hawk enough to stick with them. Adam from Amp'd motorsports sells pads that are likely better, but they are pretty expensive.