Discussion
Hi all,
I've decided to get my 280 tidied up and upgraded. It's my only car now and will be used daily. I'm not looking to improve power, more handling and braking. I'm prepared to spend some cash, but the less I can spend the better :)
I'm thinking:
Shocks
Springs
Bushes
4 Pots
Discs all round
Pads
S/S flexis
The problem is the huge number of options out there and the fact I'm trying to save as much cash as possible. Else I'd just ring RT and ask for the lot!
I've searched and searched old threads on here and I'm probably more confused than I was when I started.
I'm thinking AVO shocks, but not sure if they do the correct springs. I hear RT's springs can be a little iffy for ride height?
For bushes I was thinking Superflex. I'm not that concerned about softness of ride or comfort, but get a little worried when I read about cars with poly bushes being jittery and unweildy on uneven roads.
For the brakes I've been looking at Wilwood 4 pots and ventilated discs from www.rallydesign.co.uk, but there are so many and so many discs to choose from I'm not sure what will fit. I'm running the standard 14 inch lattice wheels.
If anyone has any sugestions, can tell me what they've used or what they know will or won't fit I'd be hugely grateful. I'm concerned I'm going to end up with parts that won't fit.
I've decided to get my 280 tidied up and upgraded. It's my only car now and will be used daily. I'm not looking to improve power, more handling and braking. I'm prepared to spend some cash, but the less I can spend the better :)
I'm thinking:
Shocks
Springs
Bushes
4 Pots
Discs all round
Pads
S/S flexis
The problem is the huge number of options out there and the fact I'm trying to save as much cash as possible. Else I'd just ring RT and ask for the lot!
I've searched and searched old threads on here and I'm probably more confused than I was when I started.
I'm thinking AVO shocks, but not sure if they do the correct springs. I hear RT's springs can be a little iffy for ride height?
For bushes I was thinking Superflex. I'm not that concerned about softness of ride or comfort, but get a little worried when I read about cars with poly bushes being jittery and unweildy on uneven roads.
For the brakes I've been looking at Wilwood 4 pots and ventilated discs from www.rallydesign.co.uk, but there are so many and so many discs to choose from I'm not sure what will fit. I'm running the standard 14 inch lattice wheels.
If anyone has any sugestions, can tell me what they've used or what they know will or won't fit I'd be hugely grateful. I'm concerned I'm going to end up with parts that won't fit.
Uriel said:
I've decided to get my 280 tidied up and upgraded. It's my only car now and will be used daily. I'm not looking to improve power, more handling and braking. I'm thinking:
Shocks
Springs
Bushes
4 Pots
Discs all round
Pads
S/S flexis
For bushes I was thinking Superflex. I get a little worried when I read about cars with poly bushes being jittery and unweildy on uneven roads.
I'm running the standard 14 inch lattice wheels.
Glaring omissions appear to be DoT5.1 brake fluiod and larger dia wheels, 350 15" or 16" aftermarket. Fit bushes as hard as you like, it makes next to no difference with wedges - springs and shock settings do. Also study the way that the rear suspension works, if your bushes are worn out then fair enough but poly bushes won't really help much there.
You have probably got trailing arm rear suspension, so I would suggest fitting the Tower View stay bars, as they improve the handling a fair amount without costing the earth. Of course, this is only in my honest opinion and somebody else may recommend something different.
I hope that helps.
Mark
I hope that helps.
Mark
Thanks for the info guys.
I'm going to ring Tower View tomorrow and enquire about the stay bars. See exactly what's involved.
No v8 for me, I'm afraid. This is my daily driver and v8 petrol consumption would kill me. The v6 is quick enough for me too, I'd just like better handling and road holding. And I'd like to be able to stop on demand too
I'm going to ring Tower View tomorrow and enquire about the stay bars. See exactly what's involved.
No v8 for me, I'm afraid. This is my daily driver and v8 petrol consumption would kill me. The v6 is quick enough for me too, I'd just like better handling and road holding. And I'd like to be able to stop on demand too
I just upgraded my original brakes and it cost me very little money. I got 2 Granada Mk 2 calipers from a scrap yard for £30, and combined them with a rebuild kit for another £10. A wire brush and some careful cleaning / assembly and they work perfectly!
Added vented discs from a Granada too for a further £45, and am now bedding the whole lot in. I'm sure they will be a very useful upgrade and the whole lot cost under £100.
Added vented discs from a Granada too for a further £45, and am now bedding the whole lot in. I'm sure they will be a very useful upgrade and the whole lot cost under £100.
you need the 2.8i mk2 granny brakes thay have vented disc and the calipers have bigger pads you can buy these from any car spares shop i had this on my 280 coupe big improvement and i have just fitted this to a friends 350 the only alteration is to trim the back plates to clear the larger caliper cost about £65 for each caliper and about £50 for a pair of disc a mornings work
I know how you feel about the number of different options......When I fitted the Cosworth I went through the whole car and rebuilt/upgraded everything to cope with the extra power. From my experience I think you need to decide what you want from the car. When you say you are not bothered about a harsher ride, are you sure you really want to put up with this every day?
If you have trailing arm suspension then you are stuck with the metalastic pivot, I would certainly consider replacing this and maybe fit the stays (don't have any experience of these myself). If you fit Adjustable platform shocks on the back (Avo's??) then you can adjust both the height and firmness of the ride. The front is more of a problem as there is only adjustment for the tracking and castor. To get the ride height correct you need the right springs, and this can be a problem. To overcome these shortfalls I am considering the upgrade that Steve Heath has developed. This does give you full adjustment, including ride height.
If you don't want to go for this I would replace all the wishbone bushes. I fitted nylon bushes, but I am begining to think these are too harsh and for an every day car I think I would go for the standard rubber ones or maybe poly, if they are available. Fit adjustable shock, as at least you will be able to control the firmness of the ride. Not sure which springs, but I think your options here are limited to either a standard spring or if you want an uprated one, then you need someone like RT, who has done some work on this to get the ride height correct for an uprated spring.
For the brakes I think it's generally accepted that the rears are fine as standard, so maybe spend some money rebuilding these?? The front ones are the ones that need upgrading and I guess here it depends what you want to spend. I managed to get hold of a set of the AP bells/rotors and a set of second hand Princess calipers, as fitted to the SEAC. It's a cheaper option if you can get hold of them.
I upgraded my wheels from the standard 14" to 15", you can pick these wheels up on ebay and it gives you a much greater tyre choice. I fitted a set of so2's.
If you have trailing arm suspension then you are stuck with the metalastic pivot, I would certainly consider replacing this and maybe fit the stays (don't have any experience of these myself). If you fit Adjustable platform shocks on the back (Avo's??) then you can adjust both the height and firmness of the ride. The front is more of a problem as there is only adjustment for the tracking and castor. To get the ride height correct you need the right springs, and this can be a problem. To overcome these shortfalls I am considering the upgrade that Steve Heath has developed. This does give you full adjustment, including ride height.
If you don't want to go for this I would replace all the wishbone bushes. I fitted nylon bushes, but I am begining to think these are too harsh and for an every day car I think I would go for the standard rubber ones or maybe poly, if they are available. Fit adjustable shock, as at least you will be able to control the firmness of the ride. Not sure which springs, but I think your options here are limited to either a standard spring or if you want an uprated one, then you need someone like RT, who has done some work on this to get the ride height correct for an uprated spring.
For the brakes I think it's generally accepted that the rears are fine as standard, so maybe spend some money rebuilding these?? The front ones are the ones that need upgrading and I guess here it depends what you want to spend. I managed to get hold of a set of the AP bells/rotors and a set of second hand Princess calipers, as fitted to the SEAC. It's a cheaper option if you can get hold of them.
I upgraded my wheels from the standard 14" to 15", you can pick these wheels up on ebay and it gives you a much greater tyre choice. I fitted a set of so2's.
Uriel said:
Does anyone have a list of caliper/disc combinations that will/won't fit with the standard 14" lattice wheels?
I see Graham's 280 in the classifieds has vented discs listed. Are they still the 14" wheels and if so, which calipers?
Hi Uriel!
Yes, my car has the vented discs,along with different calipers. I assume they're both Granada 2.8i. (no history on this)
The wheels are lattice type (compomotive)14".
The original Telcast style wheels won't fit over the calipers.
Earlier this year I was thinking along the same lines as yourself, as regards my 280.
I had RT put new springs and shocks (Redlines) all round, stainless flexis,new compliance bushes,brakes overhauled, trackrod ends,balljoints, and a couple of other things.
Anyway, parts for the above were around 700 quid, if you wanted to do the jobs yourself.
I really did value RTs experience when looking over the car for me though, from a safety point of view.
I know that some people like to rubbish the 280i, as compared to a V8, but you can kill yourself on a pushbike if the wheels fall off.
Ok, I think I've given up on the idea of vented discs. Seems there is too much involved and I really don't want to have to buy new wheels and tyres. The car is only used on roads, no track action at all.
Looking here at the options for the Wilwoods it lists disc widths for 9.7 and 12.7. I'm assuming that these are for solid discs. Can I assume that these would fit ok? I've tried calling and seeing if Rally Design have any advice, but there is no answer.
I'd think that even without vented discs aluminium 4 pots, decent pads, discs, fluid and maybe stainless flexis would be more than sufficient for road use...
Looking here at the options for the Wilwoods it lists disc widths for 9.7 and 12.7. I'm assuming that these are for solid discs. Can I assume that these would fit ok? I've tried calling and seeing if Rally Design have any advice, but there is no answer.
I'd think that even without vented discs aluminium 4 pots, decent pads, discs, fluid and maybe stainless flexis would be more than sufficient for road use...
This site seems to suggest that other brake options are available cheaply. It is based on Capri but mentions Cortina so may be worth investigating.
www.zyworld.com/CAPRISPORT/Home.htm
If I ever get mine off the drive I may have a chance to investigate better brakes. Replacing the standard fronts was £80 so that would be a contribution to the overall cost. Fixing the back with new calipers and pads was about £200
www.zyworld.com/CAPRISPORT/Home.htm
If I ever get mine off the drive I may have a chance to investigate better brakes. Replacing the standard fronts was £80 so that would be a contribution to the overall cost. Fixing the back with new calipers and pads was about £200
Tony,
Do you mean will they fit withing your wheels or will they actually fit the car ?
I would think Wilwood will make a calliper that fits the car but you would need to confirm that with Rally Design possibly ?
As to whether they'll fit behind your 14"s, someone else on here might have tried it ?
Cheers
Al
Do you mean will they fit withing your wheels or will they actually fit the car ?
I would think Wilwood will make a calliper that fits the car but you would need to confirm that with Rally Design possibly ?
As to whether they'll fit behind your 14"s, someone else on here might have tried it ?
Cheers
Al
Both
I rang Rally Design and got no joy there. They say all the Wilwoods are universal deisgns and are sold under the premise that you're going to fabricate your own mounts etc.
Tower View do their Wilwood kit, but it's for 300mm discs, wouldn't fit my wheels and way out of my price range anyway...
I'm convinced that a narrow Wilwood designed for a solid 9 or 12mm thick disc would work if it would mount ok. The mounts for that caliper are 5.25 inch apart. Anyone know the standard Wedge size?
What about a Princess caliper without the spacer using a solid disc?
I'm beginning to wish I'd never got it into my head to upgrade these brakes.
I rang Rally Design and got no joy there. They say all the Wilwoods are universal deisgns and are sold under the premise that you're going to fabricate your own mounts etc.
Tower View do their Wilwood kit, but it's for 300mm discs, wouldn't fit my wheels and way out of my price range anyway...
I'm convinced that a narrow Wilwood designed for a solid 9 or 12mm thick disc would work if it would mount ok. The mounts for that caliper are 5.25 inch apart. Anyone know the standard Wedge size?
What about a Princess caliper without the spacer using a solid disc?
I'm beginning to wish I'd never got it into my head to upgrade these brakes.
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