AP Brakes

[V8D]

Well, the old girl is off to Picador next week for the 6/4 pot AP brake upgrade. Just cant wait to get rid of those truly awful standard things. Also getting a larger Airflow sensor and a set of Iridium plugs, along with the 20K service. I am also getting a set of dual engine covers to replace the dead woodlouse that currently sits on top of the motor.
Has anyone else done this brake mod yet? What do you think? Would be interested in any comments. Hopefully it'll be 2 and a half grand well spent!

[HSVGTSCoupe]

Fortunatley mine came factory std with the big AP stoppers (in HSV guise) and when I compare them to the standard kit I had on my previous HSV 4 door (same as current VXR) they are chalk & cheese - they just NEVER fade. I should point out that I've never tracked my car to make a real performance evaluation, but I certainly make full use of the performance on the street & really enjoy the "security blanket" these brakes provide - the thing just STOPS every time; to the point that you can be peeling yr eyeballs off the windscreen if you brake really late! No question in my mind that anyone with a VXR or Monaro should spend their 1st upgrade buck on the brakes - if you hot up the performance aspects 1st, the lack of hard stopping power could become a really dangerous proposition!

[Mike HSV]

I must be running the least expensive car on this forum in terms of purchase price, but the extra £2500 for the AP 6/4 kit, or other kit of that quality is a must on mine or any car the weight of mine. They transform the car completely, and ANYONE who drives their car hard from time to time must surely agree that this is one of the first mods that anyone should consider with such a powerful and heavy car.

Thats my two pennies worth anyway

Mike

[stevieturbo]

For the price, the AP kit is actually very good value for money IMO.

Only thing it lacks, which would be a major plus, is floating discs.

[V8D]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Sounds like I wont be disappointed, especially as I would really like to do a trackday or 2 this year.
I have nearly pood myself several times on the street with the stock things, especially the 3rd time you pull up from speed. In my current tune/setup I allegedly have around 420bhp.
Excuse my ignorance, I'm an engines man, but what is a floating rotor? Should I pay more and get them bunged on?

[wortec1]

V8D said:

Excuse my ignorance, I'm an engines man, but what is a floating rotor? Should I pay more and get them bunged on?

The floating disc is still under development and won't be available for a while BUT the standard AP's are very good on track and outstanding on the road. you wont find them lacking.

If you turn you car into a track day special then the "floating" disc can be added to your existing callipers

[stevieturbo]

floating disc is like many motorbike brake discs.

The actual disc itself isnt mounted rigid to the hub, and has a little movement from side to side.
This means that you should never feel a warped disc through the pedal, and hopefully have less change actually getting a warped disc too.

I would imagine with a little machining on the bells, and suitable discs, it would be easy to fit floating discs instead of the solid mounted ones. It would bump the price up slightly though.

[V8D]

I'll bet the APs with fixsd rotors will be more than good enough for anything I'll throw at them, I'm no race driver!
Nice to know the option will be available though.
May see you next week?

[V8D]

Brakes done this week at Picador. Break in procedure followed as per book, had a proper play with them today, and all I can say is "F**k me lucky" I have never driven anything that pulls up like that. Just awesome! Nice one Graham and Paul - worth every penny and the usual helpful service! Also has larger MAF and pipe fitted, and TR-55 Iridium plugs.
I have finally found what the horrible engine cover on the 04 CV8 was meant to be - Had mine replaced with the dual 05 ones, and my little nephew hangs it on his back and pretends to be a Ninja Turtle! I always thought it was a dead woodlouse, but clearly I was wrong!