At 01:47 PM 2/6/99 -0800, Mike/Chris Clothier wrote:
>Hi all,
>Iv'e been considering replacing the hoses and tubing under the hood with
>the braided flex type products. Do I hear any yea's, nea's, thats the
>stupidist idea Iv'e ever heard, or Boy! is that going to look great from
>the group? Next, can it be done or is the cost going to be just too
>rediculous to consider? Like I said, it's just an idea.
It's beautiful, but it sure isn't cheap! To give yourself some sticker
shock, go to Pegasus Racing's Web site and order their catalog
(http://www.execpc.com/~pegasus/).
The usefulness of braided line varies depending on the application. For
brake lines, it is good because it doesn't expand under pressure, so your
brake pedal feels more firm. It also resists abrasion. I hate wearing holes
in brake lines, it's such a bother when you try to stop!
For fuel lines, it is practical for a race car because it will resist
damage in a crash, so you don't have raw fuel spilling all over your hot
engine and header.
Water lines don't really need braided line at all. They aren't under
pressure, and spilling some water is not a fire hazard.
Besides, the larger the line, the more it costs. Brake lines are the
smallest, then fuel lines, then heater hoses, and radiator hoses are the
biggest. For example, what they call a "dash 12" or "-12" hose is .69"
inside diameter, which is as close to 5/8" heater hose as you can get. That
stuff is $6.29 per foot from Pegasus. But it is the hose ends that will
kill you. A straight hose end in -12 is "only" $12.29; a 90-degree hose end
is $23.49! Plus a -12 line has a minimum bend radius of 4.5". Ponder that
next time you're under the hood.
They look great, no argument there. But real braided lines are a major
investment.
Gordon Glasgow
Renton, WA
http://www.gordon-glasgow.org
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