1.8 Rocker rollers or Braided Steel brake lines?

ShagsSN95

New Member
Jul 22, 2020
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California
2003 Convertible, Automatic. Lowered 1" on Eibach's, has a custom frame brace, 245 45 17's front and 40's back.
Cold Air Intake, BBK 65mm Throttle Body, Magnaflow Dual Exhaust w/X pipe, just put on PowerStop Z26 front brakes.
I mostly run her up in the Canyons, and a bit of flat Desert top speed stuff.
Budget conscious due to Covid, so wondering which Mod is better bang for the buck?
PowerStop's are strong but Pedal is still softer then I would like,
but wondering at the 90K mark if I should check pushrods and change rockers?
I hear factory pushrods can bend a bit with age.
Thanks.
 
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What engine is in your 2003? If it is a modular, they are not a cam in block design like the Windsor engines. I plan on my 4.6 2v Grand Marquis flying stealth another 100-200k with good maintenance, just like the cop car to taxi oil commercials. Even if it had pushrods, unless you are spinning it to the red zone all the time, bent pushrods in Fords have not been a common thing, and the valve train noise will often warn you before catastrophe hits.

Safety first. Brakes and stopping are more important than going. So if you have not recently replaced the hoses, flushed the fluid, and done a complete brake inspection, it’s an easy choice.
 
If you are going to replace the lines, getting lines appropriate to your driving is a good idea, especially if there is any question to their condition.
That said, even stock style, quality new lines are much better than aged ones. So I do not think most comparisons of old to new braided are reliable. Another thought is - if tires are deadly after 8-10 years, how long are brake, fuel and coolant hoses really at their best?
I do not know the year ABS went into our cars. Any lines and hoses up to functioning with the rapid pulsing pressures are not very balloon like.
 
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What engine is in your 2003? If it is a modular, they are not a cam in block design like the Windsor engines. I plan on my 4.6 2v Grand Marquis flying stealth another 100-200k with good maintenance, just like the cop car to taxi oil commercials. Even if it had pushrods, unless you are spinning it to the red zone all the time, bent pushrods in Fords have not been a common thing, and the valve train noise will often warn you before catastrophe hits.

Safety first. Brakes and stopping are more important than going. So if you have not recently replaced the hoses, flushed the fluid, and done a complete brake inspection, it’s an easy choice.
The engine is the 3.8l V6. K&N Cold Air, Dual magnaflows with custom x pipe, dropped 1" on eibachs, and has a welded frame brace. Have a BBK 65mm throttle body on order, see if that helps with a slight hesitation and a weird warm rough idle that is inconsistent.
 
When i installed the PowerStop Z95 pads up front.
Update: I swapped to the Braided Steel Lines, and am happier with them. The pedal still grabs lower then i would like, but its firmer and applies more bite earlier which is what i was really after.
Changing the lines on the Rear was challenging. The way the Hard Line turns 90 degrees to the join is a weak spot and easily broken if your not very careful.