Braided ss radiator hose VS silicone -- functional difference or just cosmetic?

[Rice Over Wheat]

I'm replacing all my radiator hoses after having two rupture in a matter of weeks. At mits they want $24 for both upper and lower hoses. The Samco silicone kit is about $70. The SS braided is $159. I'm definately going with aftermarket, but I want to know if there is any functional advantage to ss braided hoses vs the silicone? I haven't found any threads discussing this. Thanks in advance.

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[Locke]

There is a functional difference. Braided lines are resistant to laceration and prevent ballooning. They also add a hefty level of rice to the engine bay. Do you need them? Probably not.

I would go with the silicone hoses, they would probably be the last set you ever buy.

 

[2gAWDTalon]

To tell you the truth that look the same as the steel braided 'slip-over' kit my neighbor and I just put on his 1966 Mustang. Looked so good I thought about doing it to my DSM, then I came to me senses (Rice and they dont make the car do anything better, like going turning or stoping). If they were real stainless line I think they would have AN fittings. It is just a pretty part, no function. I guess it could protect the radiator hose from puncture, but what is going to puncture the hose anyway? You can buy radiator hoses at the local auto parts store and then order this kit (they also have it at the local auto parts store) from summit:
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM-350003&N=700+0&autoview=sku
They have different colors also...

Look at this fitting:
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SPE-1160&N=700+0&autoview=sku
see how it has a worm gear clamp inside of it just like the ones you have pictured above... they are not the real deal.

 

[Locke]

I have never seen AN fittings used on the radiator, nor do I think It would be worth it. And they do sell a braided slip over kit in the Rice section at the local AutoZone.

If you did want to go to a higher extreme, go to your local hydraulic shop and get some of their nicest stuff. You can get 5+ layers of steel braiding in multiple layers of fiber reinforced silicones and rubbers and all sorts of crap. Only problems would be tightening them down with clamps, and making tight bends in the bay, as they are rather stiff.

But that is overkill, and very expensive. I would stick with new OE's or the silicone hoses.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Well as long as there is functionality, I don't consider something rice. If some feature enables a product to perform its intended purpose better, then it is functionally superior. I was interested in whether the ss braiding increases the hose structural integrity and would outlast silicone hosing under the same conditions. If there is a greater chance of preventing leaks then I want the best I can get.

By the way, when I chose my Aeromotive AFPR kit, I went with the rubber hose kit instead of ss because I thought the ss was just for dressing up the engine bay. Now painted valve covers...can someone tell me how that improves functionality? Yet so many people do it.

Silicone hoses are pretty resistant to puncturing, so I don't see that as much of a benefit for ss over silicone.

 

[daren_p]

I haven't really looked into the Greddy hoses (as I won't buy anymore of their products) but more then likely their just a std rubber hose with a SS mesh overbraid, like those dress up kits you can buy. More then likely your paying mostly for the name but like locke said they will offer laceration protection which shouldn't be much of an issue. If the SS mesh is tight enough of a weave it should prevent ballooning but the Samco hoses are probably reienforced as well to prevent this. The Samco seem to be a very proven hose, thats the route I would go & will be going when I swap the stocker rad.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

^^^

Yeah that's about my line of thinking. I was leaning silicone anyway as it is half the price, would match my engine bay better, and plenty strong enough compared to stock. The ss braided hoses just don't seem to have anything to justify twice the price. You also raise a good point...if the braided lines are just covering standard rubber like oem, I would definately think silicone as superior. I prefer nylon reinforced multiple ply silicone. Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[elfroggo]

I'd be more worried of SS radiator hose lacerating other hoses than the radiator hose itself. Braided SS is pretty abrasive.

Why were your hoses rupturing before? Bad batch? What do your coolant temps look like? Underhood temps?

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Just 10 years wear and tear. Within a 3 week period I had three ruptures in two lines...the thinner hoses running between the engine and tb, as well as the short one up front above the turbo inlet. I think they're all about to go at any time now so I've been changing them out.

206 temps normally.