I am pretty sure It is time to change the braided lines on my injection system. What is the life span of this stuff? It is Earls regular braided stainless steel hose. I am also looking for a cutting tool that will last, any suggestions?

I use my 10-12" abrasive chop saw on all sizes of braided lines, after I tape them with the correct tape. Then clean out the inside with a parts washer with mineral spirits before I assemble the ends.

Made over 50 lines easy that way. Makes a super clean straight cut and I use a tool I already own.

I replaced all my braided lines every 2 seasons, methanol is hard on lines.

One plugged nozzle caused me a torched block, piston and head not to mention everything behind the engine burned up. IE wiring, Data cables, trans blanket and much more$
I raced with methanol for 15 years, 8 with a TAD.

No front brakes and no throttle/rpm limiter.

4-6" cut-off wheel in my 4" angle grinder with gorilla tape.

This works much nicer than a chop saw or cut off wheel since it compresses the end at the same time it cuts. Makes it easier to assemble the ends.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-900040

Like the idea of not having to clean out the inside of the hose with that tool.

That's what I use, looks to be same as a large diameter electricians cable cutter for like 4/0+, but needs to be sharp.

Yep, the big electrical cable cutters. Go to a real commercial electrical supply house and get a big, good quality set. You can keep them sharp with a fine round file, or tootsie roll. Cuts like butter, no dust, or frayed ends. No need to tape, and they actually make it easier to get the outer part of the fitting on since they kind of radially compress the cut edge. You'll never want to cut them any other way again.

On any fuel lines I like to use the TFE (teflon)lined stainless hoses. It last a lot longer than neopreme or viton line SS covered hoses, high temp. rated, high pressure and much better cororieve(SP?) resistance It used extensivelally in combat aircraft as well as other combat military applications

^^^^^^^^While all that is true.......it is also true that Teflon lined hose is heavy, not very flexible and both the hose and ends are expensive.

I haven't weighed a foot of each type hose of the same sizez with aluminum ends on them so I don't really know about the weights of each, the TFE is usually a lot smaller O.D. than the non TFE hoses of the same size and your correct on the flexability of them, not good for sharp corners so I try to use 90 degree elbows ends for those applications.

Personally, I only use TFE for brake, clutch or nitrous lines.

I have also gotten away from the steel braided stuff period and gone to the black nylon outer braided hose. It's much lighter, has the same core and as an added bonus, you don't bleed after assembling ends on it..........LOL!!!

^ x 1000

Thanks, guys. I won't say how long it has been since my lines were changed, but they are waaaaaay over due. The cutter is the way I will go, because like Challenger I also plugged a couple of nozzles trying to use a chop saw. Even after a good cleaning with a bore brush and solvent, something stayed behind.

Yea I can't see having steel fittings on all my lines, would weigh too much, plus they only make it up to #6, what do you do on dry sumps and larger fuel lines.

My problem came from a corroded fitting, not the hose or when the hose was made. Fittings and hose need to replaced after some time. The white stuff stuck in your nozzle is fitting not hose.

I tried a shear years ago to cut hose, like said above it has to be really sharp, if not then your better off with a chop saw IMO.

Only thing I use now!! Little tough on AN-12

I use a sharp knife and a hammer. Put the hose on a piece of lead for the knife when it cuts through. I have my own tool for sharpening knifes with fixture for angles and leather polishing.

I have done it with a fine blade hack saw, pulling the blade backwards.

DITTO...........Plus I cut mine w/scissors or pvc cutters w/ease.......I now use the Earls lightweight hose and fittings $$$$$$

I know LOTS of people still like and use the braided line with the red/blue ends and I myself, have totes full of lines like that. But these days, I don't know, I guess it just strikes me as very 80s on the look, plus the stuff is heavy and harder to work with. Especially if you have a car with LOTS of plumbing, that look is just very "busy" to me now. While I still do at times use a colored fitting now, it is usually black ends on black hose