I'm not sure it really matters. Most of the aftermarket kits are ss so I'd probably say you're pretty safe. Plus it looks nicer,

There are several companies that make ss braided oil lines. So I doubt it would be a problem

It depends on the manufacturer specs on the hose.

I personally use Russell with all my applications, with the exception of longer fuel lines due to vapors escaping. I use Russell pro classic for my turbo coolant lines, fuel lines in the engine bay and oil cooler lines. I even use the same lines for my auto trans cooling system in my jeep. I called Russell before hand and spoke to someone in tech about the hosing, they said it would be fine for my application, so coolant, oil, trans fluid, and fuel.


Overall most AN hoses will be compatible with all most all automotive fluids, brake fluid is an exceptions and some fuels. I use Russell pro classic for my turbo coolant lines, fuel lines in the engine bay and oil cooler lines.

Summit racing has a nice option when shopping for AN hose, you can choose the fluid type giving you results that are compatible with that fluid.

As far as using nylon hose for turbo coolant, I would be weary due to the rear line running really close to the exhaust manifold, on MHI and garrett turbos. Since i didnt want to buy more hosing, SS lines, nor did I want to take the chance of the nylon melting, I used a DEI reflective heat sleeve for the nylon line. Its been fine.

Wish I had thought of that earlier. I went with ss Teflon lines. So regular SS will hold up given that it is from a good company?

I was just worried about melting or dissolving the rubber under the ss. I suppose this is a non issue? the rubber is rated for 300*F. our engines operate at 200, but I know the turbo gets hotter than that. about how hot does a chra get? (or how hot is it supposed to get)?

That would give me the added piece of mind, because Teflon looks difficult to play with. but it does withstand 450-500*F and I'm sure fluids never get that hot, even inside the turbo. I don't think the chra where the fittings connect could get that hot.

I wonder what temps the chra does actually see, especially if exhaust gas can be 1500+ or around there.

GSLENK said:

Wish I had thought of that earlier. I went with ss Teflon lines. So regular SS will hold up given that it is from a good company?

I was just worried about melting or dissolving the rubber under the ss. I suppose this is a non issue? the rubber is rated for 300*F. our engines operate at 200, but I know the turbo gets hotter than that. about how hot does a chra get? (or how hot is it supposed to get)?

That would give me the added piece of mind, because Teflon looks difficult to play with. but it does withstand 450-500*F and I'm sure fluids never get that hot, even inside the turbo. I don't think the chra where the fittings connect could get that hot.

I wonder what temps the chra does actually see, especially if exhaust gas can be 1500+ or around there.

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I don't see a reason why your teflon line wouldn't work. Its just a different material hose for the same applications. I did notice that teflon hose ends are usually more expensive. I wouldn't worry about the fluid inside eating away the rubber, our stock coolant lines are made out of a similar material. These hoses are designed to be resilient to oils, coolant, and some fuels.

I was worried about the outer nylon of the hose melting, that would be the SS cover in your case since you have teflon lines. The rear, or return coolant line on the back of the CHRA is close to the manifold, so i choose to use a reflective cover, I probably wouldnt have if it was SS lines.

The whole reason is that I did russel fuel lines between the hard lines (ie, from the fuel filter, to rail, to afpr, and then to hard return line). And I suspect that's where my gassy smell comes from in the summer.

A little research seems to confirm that regular an hose is not ideal for gas as it will eventually get eaten away, whether the dissolving rate is significant or not seems to be up to debate. I know autozone sells rubber "gas line".

And surely, I will be using only stainless steel braid around the turbo for heat protection (maybe add some kevlar covering or something similar to help reflect heat) I personally prefer the nylon hose. It wont scratch a hole in anything. But im ok with SS on the turbo since it wont really be seen too much.

I already ordered the coolant lines in teflon, and the fittings werent too bad (only a few bucks more than regular, and the SS teflon line is actually cheaper itself than nice nylon braid so it sort of balances out)

Based on my experience with fuel (its either I'm running too rich, or gas permeates nylon braided line), I wouldnt want oil to dissolve a regular SS line.

But since no one has ever run teflon lines on a turbo anyway, it seems to be safe to run regular oil lines. Ill take my chances. It will make turbo related services so much easier!

I guess if there is anyone else who has ran non-teflon (or teflon and why?) feel free to chime in.

I am currently running Aeroquip Hose,( TFE, PTFE Racing, Braided Stainless Steel, -4 AN) with Summit fittings on the feed. Autozone Oil safe hose on the return (just hacked out the flex section and joined the two ends with a piece of hose.) and Russel Pro-Classic with Summit fittings for the coolant feed and returns.

Driven it from Iowa to Atlanta for a track day at Road Atlanta and have had no issues.

The feed line was left over from an install on an oil pressure gauge (I no longer run just the plastic line to the motor as I have seen them shear off. Likely caused by vibration, but that's a different post all together)

I went with the Russel pro-classic for coolant as I figured all the work with the stainless was getting excessive and wanted to try something else.

The hack on the return just seemed way easier than trying to fab or buy the fittings.

Update on my lines... Teflon coolant lines work just fine, I could even swap them out when I went from a 20g to FP red. (I think they had at least a year or 2 of daily driving on them ZERO leaks.

Then just a month ago, I swapped engines, and took the lines off, put the lines back on, and the 90*/45* anything with a rotating joint, started slowly leaking coolant. I think the heat finally killed them.

So if they are old... don't touch them, or get ready to remake them.