Stainless Steel Brake Lines
davens
familEE
Not to my wagon, but my CRX.
And I highly recommend that brake setup whenever someone asks:
Porterfield R4-S pads
Stainless steel braided lines (goodridge)
15/16 master cylinder
stock rotors/caliper
...stops damn near incredible.
My roommate has a Fastbrakes kit on his CRX (and rear discs) and it is not appreciably better. Unless you're factoring looks...the larger rotors fill the wheel up nicely.
And I highly recommend that brake setup whenever someone asks:
Porterfield R4-S pads
Stainless steel braided lines (goodridge)
15/16 master cylinder
stock rotors/caliper
...stops damn near incredible.
My roommate has a Fastbrakes kit on his CRX (and rear discs) and it is not appreciably better. Unless you're factoring looks...the larger rotors fill the wheel up nicely.
Comments
But on topic, stainless steel lines are very worth it. There is a company called Nights Auto Parts, I think from Canada? They make a very nice and in-expencive kit for civics.
also the larger rotors arn't just for looks, they, along with a matched caliper (not stock) provide a larger area for friction which in turn provides better stopping power
This is normally true, except in our case where the stock MC was borderline inadequate.
There are too many variables that can attribute for a 15+ year old brake system to be failing or inadequate.
- improper bleeding of the brake system
- improper adjustment of the booster
- leaky seals
- old rubber hoses expanding under pressure
- poorly running engine causing abnormal vaccum
- etc...
I've never come across info stating that the OE cylinder was inadequate as well. Do you have any more info?
Another reason I beleive it to be speculation.
I severly doubt that Honda would skimp out on their braking system, concidering the consuquences both legally and profitably.
Do I have more info? None that I can pull out of my ass on command to satisfy your curiosity.
Mid 90's Consumer Reports reliability index scored the brakes as "fair"...one of lowest ratings the CRX scored, but still several notches above "poor". I remember this because pads were the first part to wear out after I bought my CRX.
Grassroots Motorsports bemoaned their project CRX brakes from the mid 90s that it scored an extensive test/upgrade/comparison feature.
a.would replacing just the front lines w/ stainless steel make a difference? i know the rears don't see as much pressure. the reason i ask, i have a pair of front ss lines but no rear lines.
b. do crx si rear lines fit a wagon w/ oem drums. if the answer is yes, then i have all 4 lines. if no, back to question a.
As far as the rear lines.I'm pretty sure they WON'T fit.
the Si has rear discs, the wagon has rear drums. still say they fit? if you say yes, i will believe you.
LOL
I recall this topic from the old board and there was more than one person running steelbraided lines on all fours.
What i'd do is take a rear wheel off and put the rear steel braided line up against the current one in there, that will tell you if its a fit, but i'm fairly sure it is.
To answer mrwagovan's original ???.I don't think braided lines are worth it unless your OEM 1's are no good.
from where???
I got them a few months ago now..I'll look up the name of the place for you. It cost about $120.
here are my old stock lines..you probably can't see it but there is a small tear in both of them i found.
and a random photo..
I think it makes a big difference. It feels like it stops shorter than usual. Although, I do have a new 15/16th MC, new rotors, new pads and a rear disc set up so..it's a good addition.
I didn't expect to see my stock lines with cracks in them, but both had small cracks. If I didn't do this, I probably wouldn't have known and bad shit woulda eventually happened.
Our cars are old..I would recommend doing it.
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/results. ... toModClar=
Along with new OE rear drums & shoes and Motul brake fluid, the brake system is now up to snuff for my fairly arduos 100+ mile daily commute (backroads). The ATE rotors & pads are quite nice - I had them on my 325i and was always impressed with them.
Though you can purchase these items elsewhere for a little less, I am happy to report that all the parts from Tirerack were correct for my FWD 88 Wago.
My two cents.
Chris