MSA Stainless Steel Brakes Hoses

[Zvoiture]

>>>>lines from Summit Racing<<<<

What size ends did you order? And did they fit on the stock bulkhead adaptors?

steve

[Royce]

Hey Steve,

I'll have to check to see what I got. When you say size are you refering to the length? I ordered by application not by size. I actually haven't installed them yet. Is still on my winter plan to do so.

[Zvoiture]

No, I was wondering if you ordered by end size. if you ordered by application, it may or may not actually state the size on the package. I've never seen any Nissan stuff in Summit. Did you call them or something?

steve

[kmack]

I have the "Earl's" lines from MSA also. Great deal, easy installation, and everything has been great since.

I don't know how easy it is to change out struts once the lines are installed as I changed out my struts and springs when I put the lines on.

[TomoHawk]

Did the MSA brake hoses get the DOT approval? when I got my set they still had the tags that said, "For off-road use ONLY."

[gramercyjam]

No DOT on mine. They still say off road use only.

[kmack]

Same here...."Off-road use only." And I do use them for "off-road use," they see a track day periodically. But I took the tags off, so it doesn't say that anymore! :classic:

My personal view is they are better than the stock rubber lines, and give better performance and brake feel. I'll argue it in court if I have to, but how many times have you ever seen an Officer (or other Gov't official) look that closely at your brakes?

[kmack]

They're legal as long as you don't get caught!

Basically they are fine (actually better) for use on the street. But because there are fees and paperwork for getting a product approved by DOT for use on public streets, many aftermarket companies don't go through the process. Costs are too high to make a decent profit. Then to put all the greedy lawyers and free-loaders at bay, they have to put "For Off-Road Use Only" on the product so they don't get sued.

Ahhh, Capitalism at it's best...:tapemouth

[Royce]

Steve,

If I remember correctly I started at the Earle's website and found what I wanted. At the time, last fall, they did not sell them direct so I used the vendor search function and Summit Racing was the only vendor I recoqnized from the list. Then I did a search on the Summit Racing web site, because Summit has a slightly different part number and ordered online.

I looked it up again now and it seems that the Earl's web site has changed quite a bit, it looks like they may have an online store now http://www.holly.com/earlsplumbing/index.html

Here is a cut and paste from the Earl's web site:

350 ZX 2003 All, including Brembo 28C180ERL

300 ZX 1990 - 96 All 28C010ERL

300 ZX 1984 - 89 All 28C020ERL

280 ZX 1982 - 83 All 28C030ERL

280 ZX 1979 - 81 All 28C040ERL

240, 260, 280 - Z 1970 - 78 All 28C050ERL

Here is a cut a paste from the Summit Racing web site, don't know why they don't list '82 - '83 ZX or Z31 cars but you probably can order them:

Earl's Performance Products

EAR-28C010 Brake Line Kit, Hyperfirm, Nissan 300ZX 90-96, All $89.99

EAR-28C040 Brake Line Kit, Hyperfirm, Nissan 280ZX 79-81, All $89.99

EAR-28C050 Brake Line Kit, Hyperfirm, Nissan 240/260/280Z 70-78, All $89.99

Have fun!

[Royce]

Oh, and the Earl's Hyperfirm lines are listed as DOT approved!

"Hyperfirm Brake Line Kits

HyperfirmJ brake hoses not only meet all D.O.T., T.U.V and J.W.A. standards and specifications for flexible brake hoses, including SAE J 1401 (Jan 81) and FMVSS 106 - 74 - 38 FR31302 1973, they are individually inspected and tested before shipment. Batch testing, the industry standard, is not acceptable at Earl's. Each individual hose assembly is pressure tested at 4000 psi after manufacture. "

See http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLine/Products/EPP/EPPBS/Hyperfirm.html for more info on these brake lines.

[TomoHawk]

The SS brake lines from MSA are the exact same things that you get from Earl's. et al, only they just haven't been tested yet. They're not FROM Earl's,as far as I know, just the same stuff.

We hashed this over at HybridZ.org and it was concluded, from experiences, that they are OK for street. I think somebody may have suggested you remove the warning tags, (Shhhhhhhh!) but tyhat was not an "official statement" by anyone

Am I covered?

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by TomoHawk

The SS brake lines from MSA are the exact same things that you get from Earl's. et al, only they just haven't been tested yet. They're not FROM Earl's,as far as I know, just the same stuff.

They ARE made BY Earl's, FOR MSA. They MAY differ from the product sold BY Earls on the site or sold to other retailers.

What I was told by one of the salespeople (a very knowledgable guy,who no longer works there) at MSA when I bought mine, was that the lines made by Earl's and sold by MSA had not been certified by DOT, which involved a so-called "Whip Test" where the hose and an attached caliper are swung around (as if the caliper had become separated from the suspension) and must not leak or fail in this test. Is this of any interest? If my brake caliper becomes separated from the suspension, I EXPECT there to be performance issues!! (even IF the hose doesn't leak!)

I have used my set for four years, inspected them 3 or 4 times as part of normal maintainance, not due to any fear that they may fail. They work great, and I have no concern as to whether they will or won't continue to do so.

Life is about choices, one can choose to buy a higher priced product with a Government certification label on it if that makes someone feel safer; or choose a product of similar high quality without the label at a lower price. It's your dime, but ask your self this: How much difference does the label make when dealing with a reputable company with a history as long as Earl's and MSA? Only YOU can answer for YOURSELF.