B-b-ber BREMBOS!
Discussion
That's what I'm thinking Simon, thanks, I'm buzzing, I have one sat on the table and it's a mightily impressive looking thing.
I offered one upto to my front wheel earlier and it's only then I see how small the original Caliper is,,
This is one of those big but final pieces of my Tvr jigsaw that should come together nicely given the great advice offered by this thread and other very Helpfull Tvr guru's,, cheers boys,,
I might leave em off til after Shakey, their freaking heavy,,,
I offered one upto to my front wheel earlier and it's only then I see how small the original Caliper is,,
This is one of those big but final pieces of my Tvr jigsaw that should come together nicely given the great advice offered by this thread and other very Helpfull Tvr guru's,, cheers boys,,
I might leave em off til after Shakey, their freaking heavy,,,
In my opinion the calipers themselves are not really heavy at all, just remove one of the old cast iron mono-piston Ford/ATE calipers for comparison and you'll see exactly what I mean. What are heavy is the new larger discs, at some point I'd like to fit two piece (ally bell & cast rotor) discs as this conversion does add a lot of unsprung weight using standard all cast discs, but for sure it's the discs not the calipers that are the culprit.
I agree with Simon, those calipers from OldPhoneBloke look good to go and somewhat of a bargain, they will also almost certainly work out cheaper than mine, so in the competitive "I did it cheaper than you" world of Penis Heads people will be harvesting their smug points as I type. If you want Brembo discs they are available on Amazon for £100 delivered, I found them after I'd paid £120 so there's a free path to some more points right there. But the truth is you will probably find set of Pagid discs from Euro Car Farts are of equal quality and will be about £70, I've just paid the stupidly cheap price of £42 for a pair of Pagid vented rear discs for my Chimaera and they look just fine to me. Pagid cast discs by the million every year which means super tight quality control, I'm also very confident they'll also be using the right high carbon grade iron.
Pad wise it doesn't seem to matter if you buy Brembo street compound or Pagid road pads they should both be about £35 a set, personally I prefer a good road pad over all these fancy race pads because they tend to work from cold which is nice as crashing first thing in the morning can spoil your day, they also don't make loads of dust like race/track day pads do which can get annoying but not as annoying as the "Squeal Piggy Squeal" noises you must often suffer too. I don't track my car but even if I did my guess is this Brembo conversion will work just fine with road pads, discs function as heat sinks and in this case the discs are flippin huge heat sinks, so any pads will be far less likely to overheat in this setup making a road compound just fine in all but the most extremes of track day punishment.
Re the spacers I would phone the supplier to make 100% sure you're getting fine spline studs, and although not hub-centric the type that's been CNC machined from solid billet are safer than the cheaper extruded type that apparently can crack over time. 12mm spacers were recommended to me but 10mm is plenty to allow my 16" Imola wheel to clear, I would say "less is more" with spacers as they are somewhat of a necessity for clearance rather than the sort of thing you'd fit out of choice.
When spacing the caliper so it's centralised to the disc I found I just needed one M12 X 0.5mm shim washer per bolt, you can buy them in the link below and being just 0.5mm you can add and subtract in a more controlled way than with standard 1mm washers:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371305099308?_trksid=p20...
I did'nt need the big spacers supplied by OldPhoneBloke in the kit, other than that you just need an M12 tap which may cut the thread ok without the need to ream the hub holes but that's your call, you certainly don't want to shear a hardened tap in there so use plenty of light oil and go half a cut turn in followed by a full turn out to pull out the cast swarf, you may also want to use a 7mm open ended spanner on the tap as access is restricted.
Hope this helps?
Dave.
I agree with Simon, those calipers from OldPhoneBloke look good to go and somewhat of a bargain, they will also almost certainly work out cheaper than mine, so in the competitive "I did it cheaper than you" world of Penis Heads people will be harvesting their smug points as I type. If you want Brembo discs they are available on Amazon for £100 delivered, I found them after I'd paid £120 so there's a free path to some more points right there. But the truth is you will probably find set of Pagid discs from Euro Car Farts are of equal quality and will be about £70, I've just paid the stupidly cheap price of £42 for a pair of Pagid vented rear discs for my Chimaera and they look just fine to me. Pagid cast discs by the million every year which means super tight quality control, I'm also very confident they'll also be using the right high carbon grade iron.
Pad wise it doesn't seem to matter if you buy Brembo street compound or Pagid road pads they should both be about £35 a set, personally I prefer a good road pad over all these fancy race pads because they tend to work from cold which is nice as crashing first thing in the morning can spoil your day, they also don't make loads of dust like race/track day pads do which can get annoying but not as annoying as the "Squeal Piggy Squeal" noises you must often suffer too. I don't track my car but even if I did my guess is this Brembo conversion will work just fine with road pads, discs function as heat sinks and in this case the discs are flippin huge heat sinks, so any pads will be far less likely to overheat in this setup making a road compound just fine in all but the most extremes of track day punishment.
Re the spacers I would phone the supplier to make 100% sure you're getting fine spline studs, and although not hub-centric the type that's been CNC machined from solid billet are safer than the cheaper extruded type that apparently can crack over time. 12mm spacers were recommended to me but 10mm is plenty to allow my 16" Imola wheel to clear, I would say "less is more" with spacers as they are somewhat of a necessity for clearance rather than the sort of thing you'd fit out of choice.
When spacing the caliper so it's centralised to the disc I found I just needed one M12 X 0.5mm shim washer per bolt, you can buy them in the link below and being just 0.5mm you can add and subtract in a more controlled way than with standard 1mm washers:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371305099308?_trksid=p20...
I did'nt need the big spacers supplied by OldPhoneBloke in the kit, other than that you just need an M12 tap which may cut the thread ok without the need to ream the hub holes but that's your call, you certainly don't want to shear a hardened tap in there so use plenty of light oil and go half a cut turn in followed by a full turn out to pull out the cast swarf, you may also want to use a 7mm open ended spanner on the tap as access is restricted.
Hope this helps?
Dave.
Re the weight, I'm obviously including the bracket which came fitted and I didn't consider that, that's good then as we don't like weight.
Re costs,,,, doesn't interest me to be higher or lower by a few quid, I consider the Calipers incl brackary to be such good value ( if they work ) that I'm already into bargain territory for what they should add to the car.
I've got such a suspicious character I'm still trying to work out if these Calipers are made of chocolate with a name on,,
No they seem fantastic from were I'm sitting.
the brackets seem very well made 10mm thick and look more than upto the job.
I've also been supplied with 5mm spacers but as I'm thick as a post and a few very experienced Tvr people have all offered support I'll take up those offers and have a chat over the phone to confirm how it all goes together,
Some people say I like to talk a lot, never,,,,,,
lads don't answer unless you have an hour spare,,
One idiot question I'd like to ask is will I need new braided hoses, is it a different thread size into the Caliper from the O/E stuff?
Cheers for putting this thread together gents, it pushed me to do it and for that I'm hopefully going to be safer and a lot happier,
I re read some of Daves comments last night and can't wait to hopefully comment to similar effect.
The pads is a good one,, I think I'll go down the Brembo route and go from that experience first, I understand race brakes will be more effective but they will wear far quicker and I do lots of road and local journeys,,
Edited to add, just checked out those Shims Dave
Re costs,,,, doesn't interest me to be higher or lower by a few quid, I consider the Calipers incl brackary to be such good value ( if they work ) that I'm already into bargain territory for what they should add to the car.
I've got such a suspicious character I'm still trying to work out if these Calipers are made of chocolate with a name on,,
No they seem fantastic from were I'm sitting.
the brackets seem very well made 10mm thick and look more than upto the job.
I've also been supplied with 5mm spacers but as I'm thick as a post and a few very experienced Tvr people have all offered support I'll take up those offers and have a chat over the phone to confirm how it all goes together,
Some people say I like to talk a lot, never,,,,,,
lads don't answer unless you have an hour spare,, One idiot question I'd like to ask is will I need new braided hoses, is it a different thread size into the Caliper from the O/E stuff?
Cheers for putting this thread together gents, it pushed me to do it and for that I'm hopefully going to be safer and a lot happier,
I re read some of Daves comments last night and can't wait to hopefully comment to similar effect.
The pads is a good one,, I think I'll go down the Brembo route and go from that experience first, I understand race brakes will be more effective but they will wear far quicker and I do lots of road and local journeys,,
Edited to add, just checked out those Shims Dave
Edited by ClassiChimi on Thursday 31st March 09:30
ChimpOnGas said:
ClassiChimi said:
I've just ordered a set of Brembo Calipers incl fitting kit from Oldbloke.
Nice one Alun but did the old bloke lose his phone 
Next week I'm starting a post on tantric sex lube injection, it won't make your TVR any faster but the pleasure it'll give will be
Edited by ChimpOnGas on Tuesday 22 March 21:55
I ordered them online, confirmed order and oldphonebloke asked some questions etc the following morning also online, gave me a delivery date and they arrived as arranged. All done in 5 days and that includes Easter wk end so I'm very pleased with the service.
I kinda thought the photo wouldn't necessarily be the Calipers I'd receive but they most certainly are.
Didn't need to ring him and hopefully I'll work out the rest.
I just confirmed I wanted E38 Brembos that suit the 324 discs on the ford hub.
In fact I just went with the spec advertised which ticked all the boxes.
I've noticed similar brakes advertised since are £50 more so someones cottoned on but hey there still good value as Theve got the brackets etc incl in the price.
I was Just lucky and quick on this occasion by the looks of it
Last week I was at Blyton, tight as you like and a place to brake late, I was having some fun with an M3 that was track focused, came on a trailer etc,,, equal led him on acceleration but lost out when trying to slow the car, other areas too but with some afpggresive driving and better brakes I'd have hung on to him and around a tight place like Blyton thats the difference,, I just take my life in my hands brake, and just hope the f
kers will still be working when I've got to the corner,,, it's a bit hit and miss, it's the one area I'm ginger as hell, this should dismiss that problem, I get long pedal and half brakes as they just heat up and transmit the heat into the fluid,, turn to mush,, takes some bottle to ignore it,,,
Even on the roads the progressive feel of the bigger brakes I've sampled just give confidence the cars stable and able to stop,
I better stop waffling and get on with earning some more money to pay for this extravagance.
kers will still be working when I've got to the corner,,, it's a bit hit and miss, it's the one area I'm ginger as hell, this should dismiss that problem, I get long pedal and half brakes as they just heat up and transmit the heat into the fluid,, turn to mush,, takes some bottle to ignore it,,, Even on the roads the progressive feel of the bigger brakes I've sampled just give confidence the cars stable and able to stop,
I better stop waffling and get on with earning some more money to pay for this extravagance.
Alun, what you've purchased is fantastic and amazingly good value.
Don't expect these Brembos to throw you through the screen on first aplication, that's not the point, in my experience they function just like the originals in 90% of all driving situations which is actually a compliment as you'll enjoy lovely controllable progressive braking.
It's only when you try to stop rapidly from speed or do a medium to slow speed emergency stop that you'll feel the difference, and you will definitely notice a big difference.
I've got no idea how they perform on the track but I'd be surprised if this isn't where these brakes will really shine, I've only done some back road hooning so far and they were absolutely fantastic.
Fit the beggers and cane the arsh out of em till you get that smell of cooked corpse wafting through the cabin, only then will you understand the bargain you've snagged!
Best value is an equation where the price paid meets best performance, and these brakes are exceptional performers at a price point that simply can't be beat.
Dave
Don't expect these Brembos to throw you through the screen on first aplication, that's not the point, in my experience they function just like the originals in 90% of all driving situations which is actually a compliment as you'll enjoy lovely controllable progressive braking.
It's only when you try to stop rapidly from speed or do a medium to slow speed emergency stop that you'll feel the difference, and you will definitely notice a big difference.
I've got no idea how they perform on the track but I'd be surprised if this isn't where these brakes will really shine, I've only done some back road hooning so far and they were absolutely fantastic.
Fit the beggers and cane the arsh out of em till you get that smell of cooked corpse wafting through the cabin, only then will you understand the bargain you've snagged!
Best value is an equation where the price paid meets best performance, and these brakes are exceptional performers at a price point that simply can't be beat.
Dave
^^^^ agree with all of that.
So Far
Brembo E38'calipers incl bkts £325
Brembo discs. £101
Brembo pads. £ 36
m12 x 0.5 mm shims £. 2 .16
Delivery totals £. 26
It seems extraordinary really, I've decided to get them all together and just test fit and work out spacers etc as I do it.
I'm not even sure if I'll need wheel spacers as the offset on my after market wheels may well pass the Calipers.,
I'm sure I'll need some Chims to centre the Calipers against the discs but hopefully nor many.
Best go and buy a tap !
This and fixing the water pump for just over 50 quid, feels like the best money per thrill I've spent by far,,
Top draw Dave,, top damn draw
And Peter that's a fine offer and I very much appreciate it,, talked to Rich, Anthony. Alex the original Brembo brake upgrade man,,
I'm sure I can tap a hole but if I'm stuck I'll call. Cheers buddy.
Next week,,, I've got to sit here looking at these massive brakes until at least next week, pain,,,
So Far
Brembo E38'calipers incl bkts £325
Brembo discs. £101
Brembo pads. £ 36
m12 x 0.5 mm shims £. 2 .16
Delivery totals £. 26
It seems extraordinary really, I've decided to get them all together and just test fit and work out spacers etc as I do it.
I'm not even sure if I'll need wheel spacers as the offset on my after market wheels may well pass the Calipers.,
I'm sure I'll need some Chims to centre the Calipers against the discs but hopefully nor many.
Best go and buy a tap !
This and fixing the water pump for just over 50 quid, feels like the best money per thrill I've spent by far,,
Top draw Dave,, top damn draw
And Peter that's a fine offer and I very much appreciate it,, talked to Rich, Anthony. Alex the original Brembo brake upgrade man,,
I'm sure I can tap a hole but if I'm stuck I'll call. Cheers buddy.
Next week,,, I've got to sit here looking at these massive brakes until at least next week, pain,,,
Edited by ClassiChimi on Thursday 31st March 18:50
Edited by ClassiChimi on Thursday 31st March 23:36
Edited by ClassiChimi on Saturday 2nd April 23:06
Hi guys sorry I haven't read through this whole thread yet.
I want to finally get round to putting big discs behind my 17" SP12s. Getting bored with comments on my standard milk bottle tops.
Will the oldphoneguy set of Brembos for 336mm discs fit?
Any advice appreciated. I need to sort this before a couple of events in the Summer thanks.
I want to finally get round to putting big discs behind my 17" SP12s. Getting bored with comments on my standard milk bottle tops.
Will the oldphoneguy set of Brembos for 336mm discs fit?
Any advice appreciated. I need to sort this before a couple of events in the Summer thanks.
So looking closely at Daves work,
I think I've got this correct,, please advise if not,
Is this the basic principle.
1, Bracket to hub direct contact using M12 X 1.75 tapped hole and using bolt threaded through and enough to allow a Nylock nut on the back of the hub, 35 mm bolt length? Is that correct?
2, then if mine lines up similar to Daves just one 0.5 mm shim/washer one each bolt to offset the Caliper from the bracket, thus centre ing the Caliper to the disc!
Then depending on wheel offset, I'll need spacers to suit to allow wheel to turn without hitting Caliper
Does that sound about right?
Ta
I think I've got this correct,, please advise if not,
Is this the basic principle.
1, Bracket to hub direct contact using M12 X 1.75 tapped hole and using bolt threaded through and enough to allow a Nylock nut on the back of the hub, 35 mm bolt length? Is that correct?
2, then if mine lines up similar to Daves just one 0.5 mm shim/washer one each bolt to offset the Caliper from the bracket, thus centre ing the Caliper to the disc!
Then depending on wheel offset, I'll need spacers to suit to allow wheel to turn without hitting Caliper
Does that sound about right?
Ta
Edited by ClassiChimi on Friday 1st April 01:12
ClassiChimi said:
So looking closely at Daves work,
I think I've got this correct,, please advise if not,
Is this the basic principle.
1, Bracket to hub direct contact using M12 X 1.75 tapped hole and using bolt threaded through and enough to allow a Nylock nut on the back of the hub, 35 mm bolt length? Is that correct?
2, then if mine lines up similar to Daves just one 0.5 mm shim/washer one each bolt to offset the Caliper from the bracket, thus centre ing the Caliper to the disc!
Then depending on wheel offset, I'll need spacers to suit to allow wheel to turn without hitting Caliper
Does that sound about right?
Ta
Yep, sounds about right to me, as others have said you may or may not need spacers with your 17" wheels. No spacers would be my personal preference, do a trial fit and if your wheel touches the caliper use washers to find the minimum spacer depth.I think I've got this correct,, please advise if not,
Is this the basic principle.
1, Bracket to hub direct contact using M12 X 1.75 tapped hole and using bolt threaded through and enough to allow a Nylock nut on the back of the hub, 35 mm bolt length? Is that correct?
2, then if mine lines up similar to Daves just one 0.5 mm shim/washer one each bolt to offset the Caliper from the bracket, thus centre ing the Caliper to the disc!
Then depending on wheel offset, I'll need spacers to suit to allow wheel to turn without hitting Caliper
Does that sound about right?
Ta
Edited by ClassiChimi on Friday 1st April 01:12
Well well, look what I have here,, discs and pads both arrived within minutes of eachother.
Didn't think the pads would get here until Monday, well chuffed.
So full Brembo set up incl delivery for £480 just eying them up and looking at my 17" wheels it's gonna be tight but they might just fit without spacers and longer studs,, I'd actually like to widen the track slightly but I also like doing things in increments so let's just see.
Thanks again to Dave and all who'd come before and paved the way for others to have an easier time of upgrading the Tvr brakes to something a little more substantial,, the discs,,, I was sure they were to big, measured and yes 324mm but seem to look massive, really pleased with the Brembo discs, they look first class from just looking at them.
This moment when you've got your new bits all together is the best, slight trepidation but mostly just a thrill at what I'm adding to the car,,, getting close to the big boys league with this lot going on.
Wish me luck fitting.
Question
Bleeding the Brembos, closest nipple to the brake line and then the outer one or does it not really matter ?
Thanks.
Didn't think the pads would get here until Monday, well chuffed.
So full Brembo set up incl delivery for £480 just eying them up and looking at my 17" wheels it's gonna be tight but they might just fit without spacers and longer studs,, I'd actually like to widen the track slightly but I also like doing things in increments so let's just see.
Thanks again to Dave and all who'd come before and paved the way for others to have an easier time of upgrading the Tvr brakes to something a little more substantial,, the discs,,, I was sure they were to big, measured and yes 324mm but seem to look massive, really pleased with the Brembo discs, they look first class from just looking at them.
This moment when you've got your new bits all together is the best, slight trepidation but mostly just a thrill at what I'm adding to the car,,, getting close to the big boys league with this lot going on.
Wish me luck fitting.
Question
Bleeding the Brembos, closest nipple to the brake line and then the outer one or does it not really matter ?
Thanks.
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