Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

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ninerwfo
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Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby ninerwfo » Sat Jul 23, 2016 11:05 pm

So I was just staring aimlessly at the engine bay of an NB with AVO turbo kit I have just bought, when I noticed...
ImageImage
So, first question: is it just me, or is that WAY too close?! The hard plastic sheath over the metal brake line is burnt & cracking off.
2nd question: has anyone out there re-routed brake lines? Is a flare kit and some steel brake hose from eBay all I need?
3rd question: on a scale of 1-10, with 1= replacing a globe, and 10 = full gearbox rebuild, how much of a headache is this job. If I can change pads & bleed brakes, should I give it a go?
Hoping to learn from the bruises of others here...

The American
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Re: Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby The American » Sun Jul 24, 2016 12:24 am

I don't know about the brake line, but I had an exciting moment when the heat finally overcame the A/C line that also shows in your photo: instant white cloud of smoke + oil spatters + no more A/C

Mine now has a hardline that extends further down past the turbo before transitioning to the rubber hose (as well as a stainless heat shield that yours does not have).

If I was doing this again, this would have been the prompt to remove the a/c altogether, but I was still thinking dual duty thoughts...

ninerwfo
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Re: Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby ninerwfo » Sun Jul 24, 2016 3:10 am

Thanks American, did you re-route the AV yourself, or get an AC dude to do it?

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Re: Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby The American » Sun Jul 24, 2016 8:24 am

Automotive Plus had a new hose made up (by someone else), which they installed and then regassed the system.

Mine had been running with the AVO kit for years before this happened, and it happened at a track day at Morgan park. I don't think you should expect to blow tomorrow.

project.r.racing
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Re: Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby project.r.racing » Sun Jul 24, 2016 9:50 am

The American wrote:Mine had been running with the AVO kit for years before this happened, and it happened at a track day at Morgan park.
Hopefully not at speed. I'd had a ac line fail and the regas go nuts on my windscreen effecting vision many moons ago.

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Re: Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby The American » Sun Jul 24, 2016 11:50 am

Flat out around turn 2. Large White puff of something in my left peripheral vision, and a sweet smell. After that, the only clue was a small splatter of oil under the hood above the hose.

ninerwfo
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Re: Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby ninerwfo » Sun Jul 24, 2016 7:07 pm

These all sound like good bruises to learn from, so out comes the AC - no intention to make it a dual use car...

Anyone tried re-routing the hard brakes lines?

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Re: Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby Steampunk » Sun Jul 24, 2016 10:14 pm

just install top-quality heat-shielding sleeve like that orange one in the corner of the photo.
Image

speed
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Re: Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby speed » Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:23 pm

If you can measure the line you want to replace and show a brake shop the end fittings, they can give you a line that you just bend to suit.
Bends real easy when new and then you just bleed your brakes again :)

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NA6 turbo - 140kw atw - not the most powerful but so much fun :D

ninerwfo
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Re: Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby ninerwfo » Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:31 pm

Thanks speed, rang the local brake place, they said "no probs" to your plan - even let me use the original end nuts.

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Re: Brake line + turbo: How close is too close?

Postby speed » Tue Aug 02, 2016 1:21 am

Good stuff. Glad you got it sorted :)

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NA6 turbo - 140kw atw - not the most powerful but so much fun :D


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