Brake Upgrade

sfeakes · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 02:26 PM

I an unhappy with the quality of brakes, I have done all the usual to try to fix the problem, but think I just need to upgrade the front.
So I am wondering if anyone upgraded their brakes, and if so what did you use?

I have 17's so I can run a large disk / brake setup from a BMW M3 E36, but these are in the $1500 to $2k range for any decent 4 or 6 piston caliper + disks.

I was looking for a slightly cheaper option, and I know changing disks to vented or cross drilled won't do anything. And since I believe I do not need bigger disks, I was wondering about just using better calipers, 4 or 6 piston of decent quality rather than the duel piston refurbished ones that came with the car.

Does anyone know of any calipers that fit the stock disk size, or any other ideas?

Thanks,
Shaun

Cashburn · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 07:55 PM

Shaun,
See if Mike G. gives his opinion on the upgrade we did for his. The real magic in the slotted/drilled/rotor upgrade is going to a high friction ceramic pad. Also, are they getting soft over time with heat or right from the start?

Barry Hall · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 09:37 PM

I'm not happy with my brakes either. I have the 15" wheel package and don't feel comfortable really nailing the brakes at speed as they seem to lock up much to quickly. Additionally, the engine rpm's drop so much the engine almost dies under moderate to hard braking. Something with the vacumn in the carb I suspect.

sfeakes · #4 (**permalink**) 05-11-2006, 07:47 AM

Jay,
They are weak from the start, it's not heat making them week.
You have to try like hell to make them lock up, and their is very little feal to the brakes. I have used slotted / crossdrilled disks before on other cars, but I have only found them usefull to help "brake fade" on the track.
Thanks, I will take a loot at what you used on Mike's car.

Barry,
I have the same "die under hard braking" but put it down to the mechanical fuel pump. I have not upgraded to electric pump yet, becuase I still havn't decided if I want to run fuel injection.

Barry Hall · #5 (**permalink**) 05-11-2006, 10:07 PM

Thanks for the tip concerning the fuel pump. Makes sense. Will check on an electric one.

Aussie Mike · #6 (**permalink**) 05-11-2006, 10:26 PM

The other problem you may be having is fuel sloshing out of the carb vents and into the carburettor throats. This can cause some problems under hard deceleration.

A pair of "vent whistles" in your float bowls will fix it or the old trick of connecting both vents together with a length of rubber hose with a hole at the top of the bend.

Cheers

jeffko · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2006, 12:05 PM

Soft brakes is often times due to air in the lines. Bleeding the brakes would be the first task. My brakes work fine and are very responsive, however I do think there is a heating problem from the headers, but I am about to try some new brakes pads for race/street. I would be happy to share the part numbers.

Hard braking stalls is almost always like Mike said. The rear float bowl, depending how severe the braking, almost pours gas into the manifold. Not enough air and too much gas. There are ideas about tying the 2 vents together and venting higher under the air cleaner cap or possibly a check ball, but I have not tried any of them yet.

Aussie Mike · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2006, 06:48 PM

These are the vent baffles or vent whistle as they are sometimes called:

Holley Vent Baffle

Cheers

Bailey · #9 (**permalink**) 05-14-2006, 06:35 PM

The M3 brakes with Hawk pads are the ticket. I just wrapped up 200 miles of track time at Sebring, with no fade or sponginess. Spend the extra few pennies, they are wll spent.
Richard Bailey

Gatorac · #10 (**permalink**) 05-16-2006, 04:59 PM

Engine stalling under hard braking is not caused by the fuel pump. It is (most likely) caused by the fuel sloshing in the bowl causing the engine to flood. Adjust the float down on the rear bowl. Go a little at a time and test.

Been there...

Sledge · #11 (**permalink**) 05-17-2006, 07:00 PM

I had to put a vacuum tank on mine to keep the engine from quitting--now no more stalling, and decent assist.

mgiannetto · #12 (**permalink**) 05-18-2006, 07:18 PM

Shaun,

The brake upgrade that Vintage did on my car back in March made a huge difference. The braking on the car as originally delivered was on the "scary" side - very hard to slow the car down. I was not comfortable with that situation.

Jay recommended going with Brembo Slotted/drilled rotors and performance brake pads. Made a huge difference. It's does not stop like my 540i, but it is "a lot" better than it was before. I am way more comfortable driving it now.

Jay can get you the spec's for the exact parts he used on my car.

Hope you are well.

The car is a blast to drive.

Mike

jeffko · #13 (**permalink**) 05-18-2006, 08:00 PM

Jay, I would like to have those part numbers.

bignoze · #14 (**permalink**) 05-28-2006, 09:53 AM

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/CATALOG...-promotion.htm

Does anyone know if this kit fits our cars? with 17in wheels?

Bignoze

jeffko · #15 (**permalink**) 05-28-2006, 10:33 AM

Ugh, Jay, about those part numbers?

Gatorac · #16 (**permalink**) 05-28-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bignoze

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/CATALOG...-promotion.htm

Does anyone know if this kit fits our cars? with 17in wheels?

Bignoze

I have not seen a 14" brake set up that fit under a 17" wheel.

I believe that a brake set up like that would be serious overkill on a car as light as a Cobra.

Check with these guys. http://precisionbrakes.com/
They could create a bracket to use some Wilwood calipers with stock replacement rotors. This would give you the option of using any aftermarket rotor.

They made a set up for my Vette with the Wilwood SL6r calipers and stock style rotors.

Cashburn · #17 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 09:36 AM

Sorry, just back from a short but sweet vacation. Online Store / Upgrade shop is in the works, stay tuned...

sfeakes · #18 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 02:44 PM

This seems to be the best value for money I have found on a brake upgrade for BDR.
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/PBC/fitments.htm#E36

Willwood and Brembo both make very nice kit's for the BMW for just under $2k, but they are "big brake" kit's and I think it's too much for such a light car, you will probably constantly be locking the brakes up.
I noticed that the BDR has the Anti-lock markings on all 4 corners, so adding ABS would be very simple if you wanted to.

Shaun