All it takes is a hairline fracture to our fuel line near the hot headers and bye bye car I'm getting paranoid as rubber deteriorates over time. Is braided the best way to go? Is it a good idea?

Thanks,
Felix

 

it fails too, but it's a lot more reliable. if you want to be safe you should inspect and/or replace the fuel lines, just like a lot of other parts on your car

 

ZZ4,

As a reference, the factory fuel supply and return lines are a two-wire braid reinforced design. They just don't have the braided outer covering. Coverings like that are really only good for abrasion resistance, and do very little to reinforce the sealing properties of the hose itself. The factory hoses have an overall rubber covering to improve the appearance, act as a secondary barrier, and provide a surface for the identification marks. Any additional overbraid will still allow the fuel to leak through if the hose fails.

If you're truly concerned about the condition of your hoses, route them away from your headers or use heat shields. If they are deteriorating, replace them with the original type.

Take a close look at 10,000 PSI WP hydraulic hoses, and they generally don't have a braided outer covering, either. That's an antiquated theory that some people may think looks cool, but serves no real purpose other than to add weight.

 

Gentlemen I think I shall be getting some heat shield and use it on the brake lines too. Unless of course I ran a larger hose over the fuel hose in its entirety. I think perhaps that it is a little paranoid though

Excellent advise, thanks. To get the mighty Vader to reply to my humble post too- I am honoured.

Thanks
Felix