Quick question!

[leorest]

Gazboy said:

Is it dangerous, or simply not recomended to upgrade the front brakes, but leave the rears almost stock? I really don't fancy spending almost 4k on some AP-racing (front and rear), so has anyone got any good suggestions- are Hi-spec good VFM?

I'm not an expert but it seems to me that if overall piston area is the same then this won't affect the hydraulics so the master cylinder/servo/reservoir should be OK.
In this instance the bias of the hydraulics would be unaffected but breaking bias could still be affected by larger disks, giving a greater mechanical advantage.

Question… In what way is the system lacking/in need of upgrade?

I am sure that it is not possible to give a general answer as different scenarios could require opposite remedial action. e.g.
A)
I had an X/19 that suffered from locking up the fronts very early even though everything worked to spec. Fitting fiat 132 rear callipers (different piston size) moved the bias to the rear giving much more neutral breaking. Had I upgraded the fronts instead then I would have made a bad situation worse.
B)
I have a TVR 350 which lacks in breaking effort at the front but the back (XJ) is up to more. Fitting Princess AP 4 pots, or the like, to the front is regarded as a standard upgrade not needing mods to the back, but there are much more extreme conversions which may require more involvement at the back end.

Hope this prompts a better/more complete answer from someone who knows.
Leo

[leorest]

Gazboy said:

It's just woefully under braked in general- I wouldn't fancy stopping from high speed frequently (like a track day). I might just upgrade to the UK brakes (iirc which are 4 pots all round with larger discs).

This sounds like a safe bet. Might not be ultimate performance but if it's standard production fit then the manufacturer will have poored loads of money in RnD making sure it's well balanced and safe. When you get this installed and working you can always fit after market disks and pads for an upgrade. If done all around you shouldn't upset the balance.
Leo

[pesty]

Gazboy said:

I really don't fancy spending almost 4k on some AP-racing (front and rear), so has anyone got any good suggestions- are Hi-spec good VFM?

Not sure about the brake question but I know plenty of people who have upgraded the fronts only.

As for Hi spec brakes My mate bought a set for his highly modified courtney cavalier 4x4 turbo running at over 320 BHP and he swears by them.

I saw them beofre he fitted them and they did look well made and certainly look like good value for money.

although i have read negative comments on subaru sites about them not being as good as AP etc etc
but then they are a lot cheaper

[agent006]

One thing to bear in mind is to make sure eveything's working fine at the moment. There could be someting up with the current seup that's making it underperform.
I've had the same thing with my audi. Was about to get the entire lot upgraded when i got them checked out and found that the disks and pads were some cheap shite and not genuine audi parts, hence being so bad.