Upgrade Brakes - Fast Road

[parapaul]

Looking to upgrade my front pads and discs - and looking for advice too, please This is just for fast road use, no plans for any track time.

Currently running on OE setup, but I'd like a bit more...I've had a look around, just wondering if anyone could comment in any way on any of the following, or even suggest something better?

• EBC discs & Redstuff pads
• Mintex pads
• Black Diamond discs & pads

Will be changing brake fluid for DOT 5 at next service - is it worth picking up braided brake lines too?

TIA

[leorest]

parapaul said:

...is it worth picking up braided brake lines too?

Yes. I noticed the greatest improvement when fitting braided brake lines to non assisted brake systems - synonymous to fitting a servo! While upgrading a servo system didn't give a noticeable step change I would still consider it a cheap and worthwhile improvement. Don't forget to declare it to your insurance co. Shouldn't make any difference to premium but better safe than sorry!

[Mave]

Hope you're putting DOT5.1 rather than DOT5 in it? DOT5 isn't compatible with DOT4...

[Evilbat]

Black Diamond discs, excellent, but prone to cracking if cross drilled. I'd have them again if I could get a non -cross drilled version for my car.
EBC discs, nah, not again. In fact, the OEM dics now on seem a bit better.
Mintex pads
Ferodo DS2500 pads

Tarox G88 discs ??

[Ianeire]

Do not put dot5 into the system. It's silacone based, won't absorb water and you'll need a full brake overhaul very quickly.

Either dot4 or dot5.1.

I've have Pagid RS4-2 pads and they're an excellent upgrade.

[jarvo2]

Do youself a favour and stay away from EBC...

I've known a number of people running their discs and greenstuff pads and can confirm that both are utter dog s**t

Redstuff's (now they've changed the compound) are better, but personally I wouldn't use them on anything other than the rears of a fast(ish) road car...

Can I ask what car you have? The standard braking system really governs what upgrades you require

If your OEM system is fine, but getting a touch wooly, replace discs and pads with high quality OEM parts (Brembo or similar) and a full fluid change to DOT5.1



If you're after an increase in performance, pads probably make one of the greatest differences.

I can highly recommend Ferrodo DS2500's (although I've read users complaining of a lack of performance when cold, which I can't say I've noticed). Porterfield and the new range of Mintex Extreme all seem to come highly recommended, along with the fast road Carbon Lorraine (sp?) pads.

Again, we really need to know what car you've got, as some of the larger models can donate their beefier brakes for a fraction of the cost of some aftermarket upgrades

[parapaul]

[blush]
It's a Vectra - tuned, but only a Vectra...and yes, I did mean DOT5.1..oops!
[/blush]

I've already upgraded the original 285mm fronts to the 314mm setup from the GSi, and I thought that was pretty good. However, I recently had a play in a friend's VXR with AP 6-pot calipers and 362mm discs... I know he paid £2k for them but OMG it was like having anchors.

I was looking for a way to improve on what I'd got without going any bigger - I can't justify paying for another big brake upgrade.

Thanks for the comments so far, I'll stay away from EBC then. And I think (runs off to check) that Black Diamond do the right size discs that are grooved but not drilled.

Edited by parapaul on Tuesday 15th April 02:26

[Chessers]

I have just had my brakes upgraded on the M3.

I changed the hoses to braided all round and changed fluid to ATE Super Blue.

As of yet I have not touched the pads and to be honest may not bother as this set up seems fine for fast road.

Track would be another matter.