Show Me Your Braided Engine Hoses
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Show Me Your Braided Engine Hoses
With the 10-year birthday approaching for my 2004 vert, I'm planning to swap out all of the engine rubber (belts/hoses). As a result, I'm thinking about adding some engine bling and replacing the hoses with braided SS.
Anyone have pics, recommendations, experience with this mod? I see kits that range from just the upper/lower radiator hoses to a complete swap of 9 hoses/connections.
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...aidedhose.html
Looking for some ideas and any tips on performing this mod. I'm mostly interested whether or not these hoses have the durability and longevity of the OEM rubber hoses, which in my case have lasted 10 years. I don't want something that looks good initially but then looks bad over time or use.
Thanks!
Anyone have pics, recommendations, experience with this mod? I see kits that range from just the upper/lower radiator hoses to a complete swap of 9 hoses/connections.
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...aidedhose.html
Looking for some ideas and any tips on performing this mod. I'm mostly interested whether or not these hoses have the durability and longevity of the OEM rubber hoses, which in my case have lasted 10 years. I don't want something that looks good initially but then looks bad over time or use.
Thanks!
Last edited by MSG C5; Mar 18, 2014 at 12:33 PM.
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Mine is not the kit from that site but they are the slip on covers I did when I changed my hoses a while back. They have been on for a few years now and still look great. The pictures should give an idea of what they will look like if you get the kit. When you install them make sure the tape is loose enough to slip over the connection. Otherwise you will be fighting it and be frustrated. But the kit shouldn't be a problem. I like the look so I'm going to say go ahead and get them. If you want any other pictures just let me know and I will get them for you.
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Thanks. Your engine bay looks great. Especially the chrome alternator.
Like most things, new hoses will look great new, I just want to make sure that the braided hoses are easy to maintain and they don't lose their luster over time. My current OEM rubber hoses still look new due to the VRT and other conditioners I use on the rubber trim, but I know it's time to replace them.
My C5 is a weekend driver but I do drive it hard so I want to make sure the braided hoses perform as well as they look.
Like most things, new hoses will look great new, I just want to make sure that the braided hoses are easy to maintain and they don't lose their luster over time. My current OEM rubber hoses still look new due to the VRT and other conditioners I use on the rubber trim, but I know it's time to replace them.
My C5 is a weekend driver but I do drive it hard so I want to make sure the braided hoses perform as well as they look.
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This is a mod that I plan on doing eventually as nothing makes an engine compartment look as clean or scream high-performance as a well-done set of braided hoses does.
MSG-
Real braided hoses have a very good longevity but are difficult for someone who has never done them before to install as they require a certain level of skill according to the many articles I've read about them in Hot Rod magazines over the years. They're well worth the effort though.
MSG-
Real braided hoses have a very good longevity but are difficult for someone who has never done them before to install as they require a certain level of skill according to the many articles I've read about them in Hot Rod magazines over the years. They're well worth the effort though.
Thread Starter
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This is a mod that I plan on doing eventually as nothing makes an engine compartment look as clean or scream high-performance as a well-done set of braided hoses does.
MSG-
Real braided hoses have a very good longevity but are difficult for someone who has never done them before to install as they require a certain level of skill according to the many articles I've read about them in Hot Rod magazines over the years. They're well worth the effort though.
MSG-
Real braided hoses have a very good longevity but are difficult for someone who has never done them before to install as they require a certain level of skill according to the many articles I've read about them in Hot Rod magazines over the years. They're well worth the effort though.
Thanks!
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Mine is not the kit from that site but they are the slip on covers I did when I changed my hoses a while back. They have been on for a few years now and still look great. The pictures should give an idea of what they will look like if you get the kit. When you install them make sure the tape is loose enough to slip over the connection. Otherwise you will be fighting it and be frustrated. But the kit shouldn't be a problem. I like the look so I'm going to say go ahead and get them. If you want any other pictures just let me know and I will get them for you.
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I think you might be misunderstanding what I was saying. Unless something has changed the steel braided hoses do not come pre-made. You have to cut the steel braiding and put the ends on yourself. They're not like the pre-formed rubber hoses you buy at the parts store. These you make yourself. That's why I was saying it takes a certain level of skill to do them right.
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I think you might be misunderstanding what I was saying. Unless something has changed the steel braided hoses do not come pre-made. You have to cut the steel braiding and put the ends on yourself. They're not like the pre-formed rubber hoses you buy at the parts store. These you make yourself. That's why I was saying it takes a certain level of skill to do them right.
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...aidedhose.html
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Will be following this thread closely. My car is at the 11 year old mark and still had the OEM hoses on it (19.5K miles). Been thinking about changing the hoses too just as a preventative measure and thought about either the silicone ones or the braided ones offered by CCA. Hopefully those that may have the braided hoses from CCA will chime in.
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The ones I'm looking at are pre-molded and are not hose slips.
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...aidedhose.html
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...aidedhose.html
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