Any recommendations on what brand of Stainless Steel braided brake lines to buy for a '92 964 coupe? I have read you have to be cautious to have the proper front fittings for the 964 too?

 

The factory rubber ones are the ones you want.

 

Does that include for track use?

 

Yes it does.

 

Should I retrofit my SS lines with factory ones? I don't track my car.

 

Yes you should.

 

por que?

 

Yo, E-man!

One thing I can think of, is that you can't visually inspect a SS brake line for bubbles for instance. So if your brake line is a bout to fail, you can't tell by looking at it. Also, I've been told that Porsche Motorsport uses the factory rubber lines, so if it's good enough for them...

That being said, I have SS lines that have been on my car for a year. I'm not taking them off any time soon, but when it's time to replace them I'll go with the factory lines.

じゃあね！

 

I wonder if the same would stand true for all the SS oil lines, fuel lines, etc. you see on Rolex / ALMS, and some Club Race cars?

Makes sense about inspection of lines.

 

The pressure in the brake lines is significantly higher than fuel and oil lines. Also, fuel lines, at least the ones in the engine bay IIRC, are all metal, which I think is a precaution, because unlike brake fluid, fluid is very flammable Oil lines I know are both metal (solid & braided), and rubber.

 

fuel & brake are wholly different critters, engineering-wise.

Different environments (temperatures, ballistic foreign objects), internal pressure (vastly different magnitudes and cyclic loading numbers), fluid chemistry/harshness/susceptibilities, fluid flow (brakes lines -- no flow, hi pressure, extreme pressure variations).

FWIW. [Dang, Ilk -- beat me tewit.]

 

Mrs. Lincoln is swift today

 

Okay, want to tell you what happened. I called a notable Porsche dealer in FL where I have bought parts before to order the factory lines and he recommended DOT SS lines (which they don't sell). When asked why I would want the rubber lines I recounted what I read here, and they are advising SS but say they will sell me the rubber if that's what I want.

I'm quoting what he said but I guess you guys know better so I'll stick with the rubber, especially since they are less than half the price:
"SS last longer, are unquestionably stronger, maintain their structure under high pressure, and if they fail will not collapse like the rubber lines."

 

I don't have a side-by-side comparison on which one lasts longer, so I can't comment on that. The SS lines are also rubber on the inside but with a wire coating on the outside. I don't understand what he means by collapsing. If the line fails, that's it. As I said earlier, if they rubber lines are good enough for the factory race cars, they're good enough for me.

Let me add something else while we're on the subject: The whole thing with the SS brake lines is overblown with our cars. Porsche has created an excellent braking system. It is better stock than 99% of the cars out there. If I were replacing brake lines in a run of the mill car I would be more concerned and try to get something better. For our cars, I don't think it's necessary.

 

That parts guy is clueless,
Geoffrey's still correct,
and w/ those stock replacement rubber lines you're well on your way to a long, satisfying, no-drama braking future with your 964.

Rest easy, amigo.