didnt see the answer i was searching for in the archives so here goes;

im ordering new brakes at some point soon. how critical is it to replace the stock hoses with the braided steel lines in the kits? do i actually need to purchase these lines?

 

No you dont need them.

 

Just check for swelling or soft spots in the stockers...

Nothing wrong w/ the braided lines... The stockers are fine, too.

 

SS brake lines firm up the pedal feel by reducing the compliance of the hose (ability to expand under pressure). Stock lines are fine with they're not damaged.

 

If you must replace lines its good to replace them with braided lines its only a little bit more and it will help the feel of the pedal but as said above its not worth replacing perfectly good lines.

 

You'll get more pedal feel from running fresh fluid.

 

I installed SS lines in my 94 and didn't really notice any difference. They look cool though. But if you find youself having to replace ALL you lines due to old age. Your better off buying the SS lines because they will cost about the same as buying all the stock lines from Auto Zone or the like.

It's about the same as people saying the LS1 calipers are inferior to the C5 calipers because the C5 calipers are pressure cast and the LS1 calipers aren't. You'll never notice the difference in anywhere but the wallet.

 

I don't think you can actually feel a difference in the pedal with SS brake lines. The stock brake lines can't expand much at all or they'd bust. They're not going to expand enough to make the pedal drop a noticable difference.