400SE Brake Upgrade

[hooperpaul]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a bit of advice please. Having had the brake fluid boil on me a couple of times now, I've decided to finally upgrade my brakes. I'm happy to do the work myself and have been investigating the options. The most cost effective package I've found for the fronts is from GSM performance - www.bigbrakes4u.co.uk (HiSpec Billet 4 295mm Brake kit £670+vat). Has anyone any experience of fitting this kit? The only caveat is that there must be at least 60mm space from the back of the wheel spokes to the disc (nearest the hub). I have standard 15" OZ split rims...so before taking them off and measuring (need to remove the protection plate) would anyone happen to know the clearance off the top of their head?

Otherwise can anyone recommend an alternative kit that they know bolts straight in other than AP (they are more than double the price).

Lastly I'm looking at getting the rear calipers refurbished and then replacing the discs with grooved/uprated ones and race red pads (from SNG Barratt). Again would welcome any words of wisdom from anyone who has been through this before...

Thanks in advance for your help.

Paul

[Act Daft]

You could have a word with keri at http://www.wms-brakes.com/ I've found him very helpfull
Ive got a set of WMS on my 350
I'm happy with them

[Number 7]

Paul, I'd be interested to know the circumstances in which you boiled the brakes. Presumably on a trackday? Not trying to dissuade you from spending piles of Wonga, but my experience is based on trackdays, and although I tend to only do three or four laps at a time, I've generally found my brakes adequate. My setup is not much different to standard: the rotors are standard size, but grooved (from AP blanks), using Ferodo DS2500 pads all round, braided hoses front and rear using Motul 600 racing brake fluid changed every year.
I think the biggest problem with the Wedges is the inboard rear discs, which doesn't allow sufficient cooling when used hard. I think some have tried using ducting to add cool air, although I've not gone down that route.

[hooperpaul]

Hi thanks for the replies so far. Unfortunately this didn't happen on a track day, the car had been laid up over winter until MOT time and on the way back from the garage I thought id blow out the cobwebs so went for a 10 mile run around the country lanes here and about a mile from home the brakes became non existent. Once cooled down of course all ok.

Both front and rear are standard setup. As you say the rears are the problem, once stopped could smell the heat coming off them. They look pretty ropey and in fact I got an advisory in the MOT due to the discs being pitted.

I'm not keen to spend money where I don't have to (also need a new manifold so could be an expensive year!), but l am gradually improving the car bit by bit and would prefer to replace rather than patch things up. The front callipers look pretty good, but I have read many threads over the years about big brake upgrades so i kind of automatically added it to the 'to do' list as a necessary enhancement...

[Jack Valiant]

This sounds like the classic case of hanging / seized rear brake pistons causing the boiling issue. Speak to your friendly MoT test centre and get them to test the brakes as their rollers will show where its hanging. Either way a good service / re-build may be on the list of jobs to do!

[GV]

I fitted Hi Spec 4's last year. Very pleased with them. I went for the M16 caliper. Easy fit & very easy to bleed.

[hooperpaul]

Thanks again to all for advice. GV can you confirm that it was a 400se on 15in oz wheels you fitted the m16 calipers? Can you also confirm what type and size of discs?

Many thanks

P

[Number 7]

Paul, as you don't track the car (or even if you did TBH) I would put the money into buying refurbed calipers for the rear (and possibly discs if bad), decent matched pads all round and quality fluid, braided hoses and leave it at that. You should not be getting brake fade on public roads, even when pressing on, with the standard set-up in good condition.

[hooperpaul]

You could well be right Number 7. I'm focussing on getting the rear brakes sorted first and will see what pennies ...if any I have left after that. I picked up the part numbers for the rear callipers from the wedge epistles which are available from www.kimbercarparts.co.uk (parts TCA005
and TCA006). Just wanted to check that these are definitely the correct callipers (Jag XJ Saloon 1968-1993). The info in the wedge epistles says that these fit the 280i so just wanted to check that the 280 definitely shared the same rear brake setup... (doing a search for pads brings up a set that fit 280i through to 420seac), so hopefully they were the same.

Many thanks

Paul

[Number 7]

I believe that all Wedges had the same rear calipers.

[GV]

hooperpaul said:

Thanks again to all for advice. GV can you confirm that it was a 400se on 15in oz wheels you fitted the m16 calipers? Can you also confirm what type and size of discs?

Many thanks

P

I have 15in OZ wheels - my discs are Granada MK2 vented - 24mm wide. Stick to the economy version as I don't think the extra cost for painted calipers are worth the expense. Make sure though you don't purchase the lightweight calipers as they will probably melt under braking!! They are used for Caterham type kit cars et al....

When I bought mine I asked HI Spec as to whether or not I had to get a bigger Brake MC to which they said it was not necessary...

[hueb]

Hi Paul. I have a 450 but have the std 15" wheels. Upgraded recently to hispec 295/28mm billet 4 calipers and race groved discs. Took some time to bleed the brakes but very happy with them, especially as I do quite a few track days over here in Oz. Clive.