Braided turbo lines - worth it?

[Splash]

Hi,

I'm just about to replace the manifold to turbo gasket on my S14a. From what I have heard, alot of people tend to replace the oil and water lines with braided lines at the same time. A mate of mine did this in his car, but that was because one of the water lines cracked due to the gasket being so far gone and the turbo was moving around.

What I want to know is if I replace the gasket before the lines get damaged, is it really worth doing the lines at the same time? Even if it's just for safety's sake. Or will the standard metal lines be fine provided they're not damaged?

Cheers

[Art Vandalay]

They SHOULD be fine as long as they're not damaged, but you can't really see the entire line without removing it. If you have the spare cash, it's probably easier to do it now than wait for something to happen and have to pull it all out again.

[platinum]

Who supplies braided oil lines? Are they mega-$$$?

[Adsy08]

Speedflow. My oil feed line was about 80 dollar. They look good too.

[Art Vandalay]

I paid about $60 from ENZED or Pirtek. Can't remember which.

[Datman]

I run braided on my car too... great way to know you wont have any problems down the track.

[platinum]

do they still use the banjo bolts, etc, or are there different fittings for them?

[Art Vandalay]

Mine reused the standard banjo but you can always replace it with a 45 or 90 degree fitting. You tell them what you want and they make it while you wait.

[platinum]

You tell them what you want and they make it while you wait.

thanks - although knowing speedflow, about $100.00 per fitting... :p
I'll drop in and see what the local dealer has next weekend I think.

[bigmuz]

Make sure you get a metric adaptor- most of those fittings are imperial threads.

www.hpinabox has the adaptors, I think they are speedflow ones.

Muz

[stockymcstock]

how are braided speedflow lines for heat resistance? mine will be running closeish to the exhaust manifold, are they prone to problems with such things?

[GaryD]

they are often a bit easier to work with rather than the solid oem ones

[GSRman]

www.braidedlines.com - good work, good prices....

but i do think unless there's something wrong with the lines, leave them alone :)

[Storm]

Braided lines are definatly worth it.

The main point in my mind is ease of fitting the turbo back on. The hard banjo lines are a bugger to line up, as there is no flexibility.

On top of that you have an alloy block, seen people strip threads in the block becuase the hard line wasn't at quite the right angle and there trying to screw in the banjo bolt .....

[HoonBoy]

Make sure the braided line is done properly. I have seen one in the past where the fittings used had a very small opening and the turbo starved of oil twice before the problem was tracked down. Also, it was cheaper to buy a genuine replacement solid line then a second hand one..

[tim510]

ive got a metric shitload of speedflow on my car, but ive use enzed teflon lines for my water and oil lines(-6 water, -4 oil).. they are rated to over 1000bar, can resist alot higher temperatures than 100series speedflow rubber cored hose and are crimped professionaly..
they are not as pretty on the ends, but i prefer the peace of mind

on the other hand, i know alot of guys use the speedflow with no dramas at all...

[Splash]

Just as an update, I decided to go for the braided lines and they're on the car now. :)

Thanks for everyone's input.

[willsy01]

Show us the pics son

[Splash]

http://www.unit3.net/gallery/gasket

[GSRman]

where did you end up getting them from?

[Splash]

got them through Mercury Motorsport

[cortina-mk1]

got them through Mercury Motorsport

what did it end up costing ?

$300 + ?

[Splash]

Yeah around that.

I bought a whole heap of stuff at once and got a good price.