Decent Braided Steel Brake Lines?

[Sting18]

What's everyone running for braided steel brake lines these days? There don't seem to be many options out there, and I'm concerned that some vendors are incorrectly selling 2010-16 Genesis Coupe brake lines for the Stinger, even though the lengths are different. I track/HPDE and daily my car, so I don't want to take a chance on poorly fitting lines.

Got mine from Khartunerz. No problems after 2 years now

 

[ElChanclo]

Can anyone tell the difference between the stock and the steel brake lines?

 

[Volfy]

Can anyone tell the difference between the stock and the steel brake lines?

Mostly at both ends of the extreme.

1. At very light pedal pressure, the S.S. lines makes feathering the brakes coming slowly to a complete stop a little easier. This is really only an issue with high frictional coefficient track pads, like the EBC Blue- and Yellow-stuff we run. These pads tend to grab the rotor with very little pressure.

2. At the track, S.S. braided lines made modulating the brakes more linear, especially near threshold braking.


Still, not a huge difference in either case, but it was noticeable driving the car back to back right after install. For everyday driving, especially with regular street compounds, like OEM pads... nothing to write home about.

IMO, the biggest plus for going S.S. braided lines is the "last set of brake lines you'll need" aspect of it. OEM rubber lines - just like tires - do age and need replacement. Just about every car mfr - including Kia - says to replace them when the rubber hoses show any deterioration, but most drivers don't bother. Technically, S.S. braided line age too, but they last a whole lot longer - basically for the lifetime of the car. We did our first two when they were 2-3yrs old. If we didn't track them, I probably would've waited longer. My '23 2.5T is still on the OEM lines. I've got a set ear-marked for it; maybe this Winter, when brake fluid flush is due.

 

[ElChanclo]

Mostly at both ends of the extreme.

1. At very light pedal pressure, the S.S. lines makes feathering the brakes coming slowly to a complete stop a little easier. This is really only an issue with high frictional coefficient track pads, like the EBC Blue- and Yellow-stuff we run. These pads tend to grab the rotor with very little pressure.

2. At the track, S.S. braided lines made modulating the brakes more linear, especially near threshold braking.


Still, not a huge difference in either case, but it was noticeable driving the car back to back right after install. For everyday driving, especially with regular street compounds, like OEM pads... nothing to write home about.

IMO, the biggest plus for going S.S. braided lines is the "last set of brake lines you'll need" aspect of it. OEM rubber lines - just like tires - do age and need replacement. Just about every car mfr - including Kia - says to replace them when the rubber hoses show any deterioration, but most drivers don't bother. Technically, S.S. braided line age too, but they last a whole lot longer - basically for the lifetime of the car. We did our first two when they were 2-3yrs old. If we didn't track them, I probably would've waited longer. My '23 2.5T is still on the OEM lines. I've got a set ear-marked for it; maybe this Winter, when brake fluid flush is due.

I've actually found the Blue stuffs great for smooth street driving (at least in the summer). They give a little squeak when starting cold, but otherwise perfect. I think I'll get 6 track days out of them, 4 so far.
This track season I swapped back and forth every track day, but next year I'll just leave them from the first track day to the last.
I just went back to my street pads last week, should've kept the blues on to see how they handle winter driving. The wear from street driving is so low I'd rather keep them year round. Maybe rotate the pads mid season.
Have you tried Hawk pads on the track? I just received my Front DTC60 s but leaving that for next year.

Anyway, I'd get the SS lines if not for the warranty issues it could present. I wonder if the Kia shop would install them? And do I trust them not to bungle it somehow

 

[Volfy]

I have absolutely no problem leaving Bluestuff on all the time. The high frictional coefficient isn't that difficult to get used to for everyday driving. I'd rather have the same consistent brake feel all the time, rather than trying to remember whether I have one pad compound or another. Besides, I don't like swapping brake pads on the same rotors. Pads and rotors wear into each other is what "seating" a brand new set of brake pads are all about, so they mate against each other with as even contact/pressure as possible. Different pads will wear against rotors differently, complicating this issue.

A guy could swap between two full sets of rotors and pads, but that is just more hassle than I'd rather deal with.

Compared to tires, brake pads are cheap.

As for Hawk pads... I had them on other cars/bikes before. They are also quite popular amongst AutoX/track crowd. Dunno about their latest offerings, but from what I remember, their more racing-oriented compounds are semi-metallic (or at least have some metallic content in them). As such, they tend to work best when the brakes are up to their optimum operating temps. Once there, they have frictional coefficient even higher than EBC Bluestuff, which is an organic compound. If you do a lot of track days, that's where DTC60 would absolutely shine. For these GT cars, as much we enjoy taking them through the proper paces at the track, they are first and foremost everyday drivers, so the pads need to work well down to stone cold, day in day out.