TeamCapri

Tech, Repairs, Upgrades => Aftermarket => Topic started by: Rocketman on April 27, 2008, 03:29:00 PM

Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: Rocketman on April 27, 2008, 03:29:00 PM
Awesome. Just insanely awesome.

More details later.
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: 1992xr2 on April 27, 2008, 04:26:00 PM
I want one  :(
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: CapriTypeR on April 27, 2008, 04:31:00 PM
What, no pictures???? No descriptions???
What the hell???
What kind of an evil animal are you??????
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: Rocketman on April 27, 2008, 04:58:00 PM
the rotors are a lil thicker.

 (http://www.werbatfik.com/uplimg/HPIM0091.jpg)
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: 1992xr2 on April 28, 2008, 09:30:00 AM
(http://graemlins/oh.gif)   (http://graemlins/love.gif)  I wasn't sure before but now I'm so doing this, those rotors are fricking massive.  Now give us more brake eye candy.
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: Rocketman on April 28, 2008, 06:45:00 PM
I didnt take many pictures, sorry

The cars stops at a phenomenal rate now. There is no brake fade, they dont feel spongy, its just the same bite over and over from any speed. The brakes are firm and easy to modulate.

The handling is also greatly improved. Between lowering the front of my car, and the extra 1/2" the upgrade adds to the front wheel spacing, it just wants to grip. I need better, fatter tires to be able to use this now.

The upgrade works with the stock 14" Geometric wheels for those concerned about it.

I will at some point do a partslist and writeup, it is a very, very worthwhile upgrade; and its not all that hard to do.
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: Gus Kelley on April 28, 2008, 07:23:00 PM
Hey Rocketman!  Good deal. I for one look forward to your write-up.  Gus
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: yen on February 08, 2009, 12:47:00 PM
just noticed my brake discs are destroyed. thinking about getting new ones (same diameter but slotted)but i remember a while ago there was a thread about galant brake conversion. then this thread caught my eye. not sure which option to take.

edit:
found info on the galant conversion from the above link aswell as mongrel motorsport.
it worries me that they increase disc size but not brake system (eg master cylendar etc)
also that the hub bolts not suiting stock wheels
and the increase in track.
if anyone can direct me to more information it would be very much appreciated.
good thing is that this upgrade can be prepared independant of the car upto the point of instalation.

decision (due to urgency) was to order in new discs
slotted DBA rotors
they arent cheap...

double edit:
just ran a search (shoulda done that in the first place) and found alot of info thanks to rocketman
cheers mate,
will have to definitely do this mod
not keen on buying new rims though...

i better get back to work...  =l
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: Rocketman on February 08, 2009, 08:07:00 PM
If you have a spare set of hubs, then yes you can prepare it before putting the upgrade on your car. Remember the hub ears need machining in order to fit the Galant rotor over it.

Increasing the disk size doesnt affect the master cylinder - increasing the caliper piston size does. If you go too large on the calipers the brakes will feel spongy and have poor modulation. Luckily with the Escort calipers they are not all that much bigger so the ratios arent off too much.

The 323 GT and GTX has a master cylinder upgrade but it won't work in the capri due to our master cylinder having integral proportioning valves. If you get ahold of a set of 323 valves you could run a 1" bore 929 master cylinder, and some people run the 95 protege vacuum booster to give it extra oomph. Not sure if these bits will fit in a capri as noone has done it but I'd imagine it would be pretty close if not the same.

I still haven't done a writeup. Maybe when it gets warmer...

Why do you need new wheels?
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: yen on February 09, 2009, 09:54:00 AM
Hey Rocketman,
I totally forgot about having to machine the Capri hubs, d'oh!
That's definitely a plus if we can keep the braking system the same, I'm just always very wary when dealing with critical systems like brakes. Normally I'd get a pro to handle such an area but for a project like this they'd charge a fortune. I had previously asked a shop before and he quoted AU$2000 for brake conversion out of a old Commodore.
I don't know the intricacies of the braking system, but changing valves sound like alot of work.
About the wheels. 2 things.
There was a note saying how the new longer studs not suiting the stock wheels, something about not having enough thread to tighten the lug nut to the wheel. Maybe I misinterpreted something...
And secondly I have 16"x7" +38 offset rims. At the moment they sit nice and flush with the quarter guards but increasing the track by 7mm will sit them well out of the guards.
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: Phillip on February 10, 2009, 09:24:00 AM
In Australia are there restrictions on the tires being inside the wheel well.
Back in the day (Early-mid 70's) they passed something like that here in Illinois. Back then the look was L-50's on slotted aluminum rims on the back and L-60's on the front with the same wheel. I was pulled over in my Monte Carlo and ticked for exactly that. Tires proturding past the fender! I was pissed! I think the ticket was $45.00, Quite a change from today!
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: yen on February 10, 2009, 11:06:00 AM
Yes, very true. Wheels have to be tucked into the guard. You'll get a fine and a defect notice otherwise.
I'm not sure if the rule applies in the states but a major mod like this will need to have a certified engineer to sign off on.
Anyone confirm?
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: Phillip on February 10, 2009, 04:47:00 PM
Glad to live in the States! It varies from state to state but it usually revolves around the rules of the state you live in, although you could get a ticket in another state and have to hire a Lawyer to deal with it. At $400-$500/ hr. to hire a competent Lawyer it's usually a better idea just to pay the fine! Socialism in it's finest hour! It's all about the money the state needs to makes here, whether or not it's justifiable is something the courts work out, once again at $400-$500 an hour to figure it out. At least we don't have to commission an Engineer! Although for me it would be cheaper!
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: Gus Kelley on February 10, 2009, 06:23:00 PM
Hey Yen! There are several dealers listed on Ebay. Compare their prices to what you're getting there. Try--sales@v1specs.com   sales@topbrakes.net   sales@r1concepts.com  These have the rotors drilled and slotted. The prices don't seem expensive but I don't know the shipping. On the Galant conversion, If you're not racing your car; it's a lot of work, and you could expend your energies elsewhere for now.  Good Luck  Gus
Title: Review: Big Brake Upgrade
Post by: yen on February 11, 2009, 10:31:00 AM
Hey Gus,
I didn't even think about searching eBay, was so concerned about sourcing the part locally. Didn't turn out too bad, I ordered the part in and got a special price on the front rotors (slotted) but paid retail on the rears.
No intentions on racing the Capri but the brake upgrade looks really worthwhile, once I was in a scarey situation when I had brake fade, very close to diasterous. Wont be doing the upgrade anytime soon though, the new slotted rotors will be more than sufficient for the time being.
Thanks for the contacts Gus.