My upper radiator hose is starting to break apart at the ends, so I will be needing a new hose sometime soon. I would like something that is bright.

I think the steel braided hose looks ok but I like the look of the flexible aluminum radiator hose, only problem is that those hoses cost $100 compared to the $30 steel braided hose.





So what do you think of them?

 

steel braided.

 

This is more of a aftermarket product review. But, as for their appearance, I think they are really cool with the red and blue fittings, especialy if you have multiple things useing the fittings.

 

Functional and looks good Steel braided!

 

good luck doing the steel braided properly, the jacketing stuff looks cheezy, and to do the braid properly, would require 20 or 24 AN hose, along with aluminum radiator tanks to weld threaded fittings onto, along with welded fitting to the water pump and thermo housing, plus the price of the aluminum fittings in that size is OUTRAGEOUS

 

here are some...

 

the stuff your talking about is purely a sleeve or cover if you will.

i don't care for the stuff myself as it looks a little cheap compaired to other options....but, if done right it definately looks nice over the stock alternative.

to do that in real braided line would cost 2 times what the aluminum version costs.

 

I agree with Kandied. It seems that every car show wanna-be classic car has the obligatory $30 air cleaner/valve cover combo kit and the braided hose covers. I always thought they looked extremely tacky. Obviously on cars that have a need for the genuine hoses, that's another issue.

I've noticed that lately the trend seems to be going back to stock rubber hoses on some of the nicer show cars. Engine bays in general seem to have way less chrome and less polish. When there is polished stuff under the hood, it seems to be focused on one area (i.e. induction) and not every single piece of aluminum like a few years ago.

 

I think the fake stuff is tacky as hell, and the real stuff doesn't really look right on street vehicles (should more or less stick to all-out race cars).

Fake being defined as any sleeving kits applied over existing hoses, and real being integral braided hose. The difference is noticable the moment you touch it.

 

99% of the time you can tell before you touch it because more often than not, the frayed ends of the cut hose cover are sticking out from under the clamp-on fake-as-Pam's-**** clamps.

 

I agree, the "real" stuff is too pricey for anything but a racecar that needs the extra durability, and the "cheap" stuff just looks...well...cheap. Honestly though, I'm not crazy about the Coolflex style hoses either, at least on an F-body. The look is ok, but the clamps are "Mickey Mouse" at best (they don't tighten down with the hose clamps inside), and won't fit on most F-body applications, particularly 2.8 V6s (which I believe is what you have). The radiator ends will work, and the water pump one will work, but not on the thermostat housing. The real problem with these hoses (at least on 2.8s ) is they have these cheesy "adapters" that have to go between the hose and the fitting to take up the slack, instead of just making them the right size for different applications to begin with. They can be a real PITA to get on, and have a tendency to work themselves loose. I'd go with either stock hoses (maybe dressed up with nicer clamps, like the compression style aluminum ones in Super Rod a few months ago...I'll try to find a link), or some silicone hoses with the same clamps(Samco of England makes nice silicone hoses...I think you can get them through Lingenfelter, but 3rd gen applications may be special order).

 

i'm blind.............




yeah i use to think the sleeving was real back in the day; boy do i feel dumb for that one.

everyone learns though, i used only braided line when it was absolutely necessary on my car. it costs way to much and wasn't worth it to me.

get rid of your stock worn out rubber with new pieces and the bay will look much better. even comparing my new setup to old you can see i dropped alot of the polished, chrome, braided equipment for a more stock and somewhat "clean" appearance.

it can look just as good and save alot of money.

 

I guess I'm the cheesiest guy in this thread

 

No, just the one with the cheeziest radiator and power steering hose.

And Kandied, it would cost FAR more than double the aluminum stuff to do the steel braided properly.

 

I posted that in good humor. Honestly, I didn't like the look at first..a buddy of mine talked me into it. It doesnt look bad at all if you do it right. IE - Dont let any of the frays stick out of the ends, and hide the clamps well on the underside so that they are not visible. So far, nobody who has seen it in person has given me any grief whatsoever.

 

I'd have to say its mainly the clamps that would bug me, kinda like a ***** with a retard body kit, they stick out like a sore thumb.

 

I like the look, if done in moderation. The sleeving that goes over an existing hose never works well, though, it's too wrinkley
I use the hoses that come pre-covered, and tape the ends when I cut them.
I have a fair amount of the stuff in my engine bay, and I think it looks pretty good with the red/blue clamp covers.

There's a black '67 Mustang around here that has lots of chrome in the engine bay, with those hoses w/ blue covers. It looks pretty nice.

 

I added the sleeving...picked it up at autozone...I like it....