Brake mod question
Discussion
I havent even picked the car up yet and am planning mods
. Anyway the car i am going to see this weekend has bad brake judder so i figured it would be the opportunity to upgrade the brakes while i am at it. I am thinking of going down the brembo/focus rs 324mm route but have been told that i need at least a 16" front wheel to clear the caliper
So before i start, the brake mod has already gone from a brake mod to a wheel upgrade
.
So my question to those in the know is can i do the brake mod and just get a pair of rear imola chim wheels for the front until funds permit a new set of 16/17" replacements all round? Or would i be better replacing the brakes with standard stuff until i can stretch to the whole brake/wheel replacement in a few months
Thanks in advance
Paul
. Anyway the car i am going to see this weekend has bad brake judder so i figured it would be the opportunity to upgrade the brakes while i am at it. I am thinking of going down the brembo/focus rs 324mm route but have been told that i need at least a 16" front wheel to clear the caliperSo before i start, the brake mod has already gone from a brake mod to a wheel upgrade
. So my question to those in the know is can i do the brake mod and just get a pair of rear imola chim wheels for the front until funds permit a new set of 16/17" replacements all round? Or would i be better replacing the brakes with standard stuff until i can stretch to the whole brake/wheel replacement in a few months
Thanks in advance
Paul
The 324mm brakes (I have Black Diamond 12 groove discs with Hawk pads and Bremsport calipers) are awesome on track, but I have them under 17 inch wheels.
If you want to see and test clearance, just pop over to Newark with a 16 inch wheel, and we can test it for clearance on my car. And you can see and experience the brakes themselves. I was told I needed 17s, but do have pretty good clearance.
To make 16 inch rears fit the front is no issue, may well be fine anyway, but add a 5-8 mm spacer if not. You should be ok with reasonable sized tyres, something like 225/45 16.
If you want to see and test clearance, just pop over to Newark with a 16 inch wheel, and we can test it for clearance on my car. And you can see and experience the brakes themselves. I was told I needed 17s, but do have pretty good clearance.
To make 16 inch rears fit the front is no issue, may well be fine anyway, but add a 5-8 mm spacer if not. You should be ok with reasonable sized tyres, something like 225/45 16.
Thanks QBee, i am lining up the parts i need ready for a mass ebay session if the car deal comes off. First outing maybe Le-mans classic if my mate hasn't got his spitfire ready
depending how many beer tokens i have left i may just bite the bullet and get some wheels at the same time. What wheels are you running?

depending how many beer tokens i have left i may just bite the bullet and get some wheels at the same time. What wheels are you running?
My road wheels are 17 inch (7J) Mania with 215/40 fronts and 215/45 rears, Federal 595 RS-Rs, which come up a little larger than most.
Not perfect, but what was available. Keeps the higher rear than front of the standard car, and similar wheel size
My track wheels are Silverstone SP12s, 17 inch 7.5J front and 18 inch 8J rear, with 215/45 17 front and 235/40 18 rear.

Not perfect, but what was available. Keeps the higher rear than front of the standard car, and similar wheel size
My track wheels are Silverstone SP12s, 17 inch 7.5J front and 18 inch 8J rear, with 215/45 17 front and 235/40 18 rear.
The standard road tyre configuration on a Chimaera is 205 front, 225 rear. I have gone for 215 all round on the Federals, as they are broader shouldered, as Daz says. So equivalent to at least 225s all round, I believe.
Just for peace of mind (i.e. so I can give you a piece of my mind
), I will measure the Federals and my previous road tyres tomorrow and report back to gassing HQ..
Just for peace of mind (i.e. so I can give you a piece of my mind
), I will measure the Federals and my previous road tyres tomorrow and report back to gassing HQ..Have ordered all the brake bits today. Won a set of brembos on ebay, new MTEC focus discs, EBC pads, oldphonebloke adaptor brackets and also all new standard rear stuff
. That should cure the horrendous brake judder. Will try one of my rears on when the bits turn up and if they dont clear i will be on the hunt for some new wheels 
QBee if the bits have not arrived in by the weekend i make take you up on the offer to nip over and try my 16 on your car
Paul
. That should cure the horrendous brake judder. Will try one of my rears on when the bits turn up and if they dont clear i will be on the hunt for some new wheels 
QBee if the bits have not arrived in by the weekend i make take you up on the offer to nip over and try my 16 on your car

Paul
You will be more than welcome.
Just done the promised measuring. The 215 Federals are the same width as my 215 R888s.....
......and the same size as the 235/45 17 Bridgestones I used to have on the rear of the car.
Beware of going for too wide tyres, guys. These cars were specced with 205 and 225 tyres for a reason, to give a powerful but light car enough bite to handle properly. Too wide and you could actually lose grip in anything other than perfect conditions, not gain it. And then there's the catching issues.......
Just done the promised measuring. The 215 Federals are the same width as my 215 R888s.....
......and the same size as the 235/45 17 Bridgestones I used to have on the rear of the car.
Beware of going for too wide tyres, guys. These cars were specced with 205 and 225 tyres for a reason, to give a powerful but light car enough bite to handle properly. Too wide and you could actually lose grip in anything other than perfect conditions, not gain it. And then there's the catching issues.......
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Looks same colour as the one i am looking at
.