A question about brake upgrades
Discussion
And the question is..... Why ?
OK, I'm well versed with braking systems etc but my question is aimed at those of you who have upgraded your brakes, for example was it because you simply wanted to stop quicker, was experiencing fade, track days ? look better ? Felt the standard brakes wern't up to it ? Major mods giving you more power so felt the brakes should be upgraded accordingly ?
I'm interested in the reasons you did it to your Chim, rather than lessons on how different braking systems/bigger discs/more pots work etc
Cheers,
R.
OK, I'm well versed with braking systems etc but my question is aimed at those of you who have upgraded your brakes, for example was it because you simply wanted to stop quicker, was experiencing fade, track days ? look better ? Felt the standard brakes wern't up to it ? Major mods giving you more power so felt the brakes should be upgraded accordingly ?
I'm interested in the reasons you did it to your Chim, rather than lessons on how different braking systems/bigger discs/more pots work etc
Cheers,
R.
From my very first conversations with each potential engine builder, also SC Power, I was warned that even a modest power hike would necessitate two things : improved springs/dampers and brakes.
This was underlined at the one2one tuition airfield day I did with Ed Moore, when the car remained at strong standard power levels - the brakes got very hot, very quick. Ed himself also commented that if I was going for more power, I'd need to do the brakes.
I guess, like everything else on these cars, braking technology has moved forwards a long way in 20 years, so what was "fair to good" 20 years ago seems inadequate against modern expectations.
So, hopefully to answer the question the way you wanted, not up to it against modern benchmarks, doubly so with more power
This was underlined at the one2one tuition airfield day I did with Ed Moore, when the car remained at strong standard power levels - the brakes got very hot, very quick. Ed himself also commented that if I was going for more power, I'd need to do the brakes.
I guess, like everything else on these cars, braking technology has moved forwards a long way in 20 years, so what was "fair to good" 20 years ago seems inadequate against modern expectations.
So, hopefully to answer the question the way you wanted, not up to it against modern benchmarks, doubly so with more power
On my V8S I just upgraded them as I felt it was a wise thing to do and the bits are really cheap if you do the upgrade using ford components to 260mm or 270 something with the cossie grandad / mondeo V6 calipers.
Just realised there's a thread on this - the conversion to 260mm doesn't require anything to be drilled.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Just realised there's a thread on this - the conversion to 260mm doesn't require anything to be drilled.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Having an early car with the pathetic Sierra brakes plus the 5l transplant I had no choice other than to upgrade .I was on a pretty tight budget so upgraded the rear brakes to the later Chimaera spec by replacing the hubs and sourcing new discs and calipers from Fleabay .The front upgrade consisted of 887 888 calipers ,278mm discs,and 5mm spacers. The only downfall is the weight but not noticed any change in performance. Overall im very happy with the upgrade ,the front and rear setup feel very balanced.If my finances allowed i would have gone for the more fancy stuff.With the Yellow stuff pads the setup coped with a full day at cadwell park
Very informative article, you've probably all seen it but just in case....
http://www.tvrgriffith.com/index.php?option=com_co...
istonheads-tvr-news
http://www.tvrgriffith.com/index.php?option=com_co...
istonheads-tvr-newsHow I look at it with brakes is if you can lock them up with warm tyres on a dry day there good enough!
But the standard brakes do overheat
I do have a pair of 888/887 calipers for sale if your interested, dont forget to combine then with a set of braided lines
I was going to fit the 888/887 but instead I'm going to be different and try and fit a pair of 4 pots off a 2wd cossie
But the standard brakes do overheat
I do have a pair of 888/887 calipers for sale if your interested, dont forget to combine then with a set of braided lines
I was going to fit the 888/887 but instead I'm going to be different and try and fit a pair of 4 pots off a 2wd cossie
Richard
The reason for my choice was that without ABS I wanted the best braking feel available without adding weight to an already overworked suspension.
The standard brakes were capable of stopping, but with the massive increase in performance it was very difficult to modulate the brakes without locking the front wheels. I think this was due to not only increased speed but shorter braking distances, and then a kind of panic as more and more pedal force was required to retard the speed.
As I wanted to retain the original look of the the car the standard 15 inch wheels had to stay. I decided on 300mm curved vane willwood rotors mounted on fabricated aluminium belles with 4pot superlight callipers on fabricated aluminium brackets with braided hoses. The rear were kept standard but with Mintex pads.
This set up not only gives great stopping power, but most important I can feel what is happening to the front end, allowing me if need be to take the braking to the limit of the front tyres. The front tyres are howling in protest but not locking.
Andy
The reason for my choice was that without ABS I wanted the best braking feel available without adding weight to an already overworked suspension.
The standard brakes were capable of stopping, but with the massive increase in performance it was very difficult to modulate the brakes without locking the front wheels. I think this was due to not only increased speed but shorter braking distances, and then a kind of panic as more and more pedal force was required to retard the speed.
As I wanted to retain the original look of the the car the standard 15 inch wheels had to stay. I decided on 300mm curved vane willwood rotors mounted on fabricated aluminium belles with 4pot superlight callipers on fabricated aluminium brackets with braided hoses. The rear were kept standard but with Mintex pads.
This set up not only gives great stopping power, but most important I can feel what is happening to the front end, allowing me if need be to take the braking to the limit of the front tyres. The front tyres are howling in protest but not locking.
Andy
Alexdaredevilz said:
How I look at it with brakes is if you can lock them up with warm tyres on a dry day there good enough!
But the standard brakes do overheat
I do have a pair of 888/887 calipers for sale if your interested, dont forget to combine then with a set of braided lines
I was going to fit the 888/887 but instead I'm going to be different and try and fit a pair of 4 pots off a 2wd cossie
Alex, I'll get back to you on that one, I've got grooved discs on the front of the old girl already, but I need to check the diameter (been offshore now for five bloody weeks) when I get home. They're also pad eaters, can't find anything similar anywhere and no bill with the car paperwork so no idea what make they are. Am I right in thinking the 888/887 calipers will be ok with the sierra RS cossie 2wd 283mm fronts ('86-'90)? Haven't decided which way to go yet but will get back to you mid next week, appreciate you letting me know you have them tho But the standard brakes do overheat
I do have a pair of 888/887 calipers for sale if your interested, dont forget to combine then with a set of braided lines
I was going to fit the 888/887 but instead I'm going to be different and try and fit a pair of 4 pots off a 2wd cossie
peaktorque said:
Chilliman said:
Am I right in thinking the 888/887 calipers will be ok with the sierra RS cossie 2wd 283mm fronts ('86-'90)?
..............but you may need to shave a bit of the carrier
just a bit of casting flash 
Alexdaredevilz good luck with those 4 pots 
I sold mine on and settled on the 887/888 to much arsing about 
I ran the wilwood 4pot 300mm on floating discs on my Chim And the best upgrade i did to my car IMHO made me much faster due to nice late braking and much more control and feel
If you can get some AP' calipers and set up the brakes on the Cerbera are miles apart from the chim even with the wilwoods
If you can get some AP' calipers and set up the brakes on the Cerbera are miles apart from the chim even with the wilwoods
Edited by scotty_d on Monday 19th September 00:29
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