AP brake upgrade V8

[Grant Tuscan]

Just bought a 99 V8 GT. We're now going to carry out some performance modifications to the car, the first of which is to fit a larger set of AP brakes to the car (Sport 350/2000my style). The intention is to only fit AP's to the front and leave the Brembo set
up on the back as 90% of the braking is done by the fronts.

Anyone got any experience of this mixed set up? Any ideas how the front to rear brake bias might be effected?

Thanks guys.

[mustard]

Funny you should mention this subject, was just looking at SJSportscars website and checked this www.sjsportscars.co.uk/newsandoffers.asp

May prove useful for you!

>> Edited by mustard on Sunday 26th September 10:53

[feffman]

Grant:

I think the later esprits (2001+) had just the set up you are thinking about. The AP's in front and Brembo on rear.

Mark (Lowly Brembos) Pfeffer

[rlearp]

Are you guys having trouble stopping as is? Do you do a lot of track work?

[feffman]

Ron:

I don't have trouble with the Brembos on the Esprit even on the track. I've heard a lot about the weakness of the Toyota (SE) brakes on the track but I sometime wonder if it's lack of maintenance (old fluid) and lack of braided lines and proper pads.

My SE had the Toyota brakes and just adding steel braided lines and good pads (CarboTech) made a whole host of difference. Never took it on the track though.

Mark

[rlearp]

Well, the stock SE brakes work, but they are marginal. But work. Which is sort of why I asked the question about the brake upgrades, do you guys really need them or is it one of those "bling" things?

I'm off on travel again today but if I get some free time I'll give you a call tomorrow, Monday.

R

[feffman]

Ron:

No bling, bling as a number of Esprit drivers hit the track on a regular basis. What I don't understand are the guys thinking they have to change out the Brembos. I run all day long at tracks like Road Atlanta, Gateway Intl, etc. and have never had an ounce of brake fade with the Brembo brakes.

The rears do perform better with a slightly more aggressive pad. I usually go up one step for the rear pads over the fronts as it helps plant the rear under braking.

Mark

[kylie]

feffman said:

Ron: I don't have trouble with the Brembos on the Esprit even on the track. I've heard a lot about the weakness of the Toyota (SE) brakes on the track but I sometime wonder if it's lack of maintenance (old fluid) and lack of braided lines and proper pads. My SE had the Toyota brakes and just adding steel braided lines and good pads (CarboTech) made a whole host of difference. Never took it on the track though. Mark

You hit the nail on the head Mark. I can go all day at the track with only having put in Mintex 116 spec pads and uprated fluids - thats all!!
If your going to do an upgrade and spend thousands make sure its a good one to notice any difference. Also its pointless putting in low dust road pads for any of these upgrades IMO of course.

[rob.e]

feffman said:

The rears do perform better with a slightly more aggressive pad. I usually go up one step for the rear pads over the fronts as it helps plant the rear under braking.

So.. based on this knowledge, to answer Grant's original question it must be a bad idea to retain the small (300mm) rear brembo disc if you are putting the larger 320mm discs on the front with big AP calipers, right? Ie if the rear is underbraked then only upgrading the fronts will make the imbalance worse?

I've always thought the rear looked very puny with its single piston sliding caliper (same as the rear of an elise btw) but i've got no data to back this up..

[ErnestM]

I believe that the Esprit has a different brake bias setup than most other cars. The rears do make a difference.

I had my Brembos from purchase (2001) until last month. Tried different pads, brake fluid, etc, etc and still didn't get the feeling I was looking for. Popped in the AP Lotus upgrade and, wahey, new car as far as braking goes...

ErnestM