Overbraid

[GI]

I like the look of the overbraid in a previous thread, but what are the pros and cons compared to a braid hose?

www.peninsula-cars.co.uk/pages_tvr/parts_detail.asp?parts_ID=34&select=All

Isn't an overbraid less safe because you can't see the condition of the rubber hoses underneath?

[Hoover33]

Those braided hoses are for brakes......

However.... I think you are right about not being able to see the condition of the hoses underneath.

However how often do you actually really check the hose condition. Never I bet.... the first you know about it is when it gone.....

So no real diference.

Ohhhh and they do look good......

...you are concerned try some colour co-ordinate silicone hoses like those supplied by ACT

[GI]

Well, call me anal but I have tried to look at the hoses every month or so since I bought the car in September. You're right, I probably don't need to and most people probably don't ever until there's a problem.

But I know little enough about how the car is put together that I may as well keep an eye on the hoses and keep the fuel tank reasonably full. The rest of the car is my brother's niche in our particular arrangement.

I really like the braid look.

Do you need to take the hoses off in order to fit the overbraid?

[GreenV8S]

I've worked on a show car (not a TVR) that has stainless braid on almost every hose you could see. Looked very pretty. Under the braid we found cracked and perished hoses, pipes where the hose clip secured the overbraid not the hose, one pipe where the end had been cut at an angle so one side of the hose was clamped and the other wasn't. If was an effing nightmare. These were fuel hoses as well as water by the way; the fuel hoses were the worst. If you are concerned about hoses wearing through or being mechanically damaged then overbraid is fine, as long as it is fitted properly (in other words proper permanent end fittings not just loose overbraid sitting over plain old hose and secured by the same hose clips). I know some people do like the aftermarket braid, but I can't help viewing it in the same light as anodised bolt head covers and stick-on carbon film. Except in this case the braiding might be making things less safe and reliable rather than more.

[GI]

That's what I worry about - not seeing the start of a problem.

Ideally I'd quite like to replace the rubber hoses with braided ones but whether such things exist and what advantage there might be other than 'prettying-up' the engine bay, I don't know.

"I know nuh-thing."

[Rockey]

Why not use coloured silicone hoses, I know they are not cheap but they do last and enhance the engine bay no end.