Wednesday 30th July 2008

DB9 To Get Caparo Brakes

Aston DB9 gets brake upgrade package using Caparo T1 technology

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Kit developed by team of 18 engineers

The Aston DB9 is to get braking technology developed for the Caparo T1 hypercar. The high-performance brake upgrade package will cut the DB9’s stopping distance by 24%, reduce fade under regular heavy braking and increase feel and consistency.

The DB9’s original 330mm rear discs remain the same with the 355mm front disc replaced by 378mm discs, made from specially selected high-performance materials. Calipers are extremely rigid opposed piston four pots at the front and four pots at the rear, each machined from a single casting of aluminium to provide exceptional stability and performance.

‘With 470bhp from its 6 litre, V12 engine, the DB9 rewards drivers with stunning levels of performance,’ says Nick Mennell, technical director, Caparo AP Braking. ‘However, some owners have told us that particularly spirited drivers, including those taking part in track days, would like additional braking power. With more than 80 years’ experience in developing high-performance automotive braking systems, our team of 18 braking engineers have developed an aftermarket upgrade kit that delivers what they need without adding extra weight or compromising performance while cold.’

Caparo said the thermal capacity of the new discs has been improved, with an 18% reduction in peak temperature during a fade test, meaning that the new brakes can be applied for longer before any brake fade occurs. Pedal effort is also improved with the upgrade offering the same level of deceleration as the original with 30% less force being applied to the pedal.

[spydersingh]

I take it this is urgent "braking" news.....?

[CypherP]

dear oh dear...

[varsas]

Article said:

will cut the DB9’s stopping distance by 24%

Rubbish. The original braking system will be limited by the tyres; I can understand these new discs etc are more resistant to fade/give better feel/reduced unsprung weight(?)but under normal driving the new brakes won't change the stopping distance one bit.

[Insight]

I would have thought that high tech brakes would be designed on Computer CAD rather than with a sliding metal ruler, paper and a pencil.

[J111]

Insight said:

I would have thought that high tech brakes would be designed on Computer CAD rather than with a sliding metal ruler, paper and a pencil.

Since the T1 appears to have been engineered by the work experience lad after a particularly heavy night, anything's possible.

[Mr Whippy]

varsas said:

Article said:

will cut the DB9’s stopping distance by 24%

Rubbish. The original braking system will be limited by the tyres; I can understand these new discs etc are more resistant to fade/give better feel/reduced unsprung weight(?)but under normal driving the new brakes won't change the stopping distance one bit.

Yep, thats an odd one.

Maybe 24% reduced after 5 150-0mph stops due to improved heat capacity/fade performance!?!?

If the tyres had 24% more in them from standard then Aston really must have got it very wrong

Dave

[the_hood]

6 replies (7 including this!). Not the most riviting story.

[Strider]

It's a vernier calliper, not a sliding metal ruler. Responsible engineers will always check the dimensions of manufactured prototype components against the drawings. CAD is Computer AIDED Design: you don't just press the button and get a new braking system.

Insight said:

I would have thought that high tech brakes would be designed on Computer CAD rather than with a sliding metal ruler, paper and a pencil.

[Insight]

Strider said:

It's a vernier calliper, not a sliding metal ruler. Responsible engineers will always check the dimensions of manufactured prototype components against the drawings. CAD is Computer AIDED Design: you don't just press the button and get a new braking system.

Insight said:

I would have thought that high tech brakes would be designed on Computer CAD rather than with a sliding metal ruler, paper and a pencil.

Is a vernier caliper not a sliding metal ruler? I mean it measures things so its a ruler and it slides. And I would hope that the responsible engineers would check the brake caliper on a car, under breaking, rather than against the drawings!

[vrooom]

So when it going to catch fire ?

[jon-]

Mr Whippy said:

varsas said:

Article said:

will cut the DB9’s stopping distance by 24%

Rubbish. The original braking system will be limited by the tyres; I can understand these new discs etc are more resistant to fade/give better feel/reduced unsprung weight(?)but under normal driving the new brakes won't change the stopping distance one bit.

Yep, thats an odd one.

Maybe 24% reduced after 5 150-0mph stops due to improved heat capacity/fade performance!?!?

If the tyres had 24% more in them from standard then Aston really must have got it very wrong

Dave

I came here just to dispute that 'fact'. Well said guys

[don logan]

Speaking of which, where is the rest of the car?

[cowellsj]

varsas said:

Article said:

will cut the DB9’s stopping distance by 24%

Rubbish. The original braking system will be limited by the tyres; I can understand these new discs etc are more resistant to fade/give better feel/reduced unsprung weight(?)but under normal driving the new brakes won't change the stopping distance one bit.

24% seems like a hell of a lot, were the standard brakes made out of cardboard or sumfing?

Anyone with a DB9 care to comment? Do you currently have to throw out the anchor 400m before a junction?

Edited by cowellsj on Thursday 31st July 13:28

[Strider]

'it measures things so its a ruler'? Really? A pressure guage measures things: is that a ruler too? How about a calibrated beaker? Just a round glass ruler? You can't even rule with a caliper. And yes, the brakes will be tested on the car, but it's pretty pointless fitting them if the manufcturered component isnt to spec.. And after the test, it's quite a good idea to take them off and measure any wear or deformation.

Insight said:

Strider said:

It's a vernier calliper, not a sliding metal ruler. Responsible engineers will always check the dimensions of manufactured prototype components against the drawings. CAD is Computer AIDED Design: you don't just press the button and get a new braking system.

Insight said:

I would have thought that high tech brakes would be designed on Computer CAD rather than with a sliding metal ruler, paper and a pencil.

Is a vernier caliper not a sliding metal ruler? I mean it measures things so its a ruler and it slides. And I would hope that the responsible engineers would check the brake caliper on a car, under breaking, rather than against the drawings!

[franv8]

A ruler is someone who you'd find on a throne.

I think you'll find you mean 'rule'

Got my knuckles rapped a few times for that mistake when I did CAD...

[Scuffers]

got to say I read this as Caparo flag waving that they have got a customer...

not sure how to take the 18 brake specialists bit, how many people does it take to spec a new disk/caliper setup?

[Mr Whippy]

franv8 said:

A ruler is someone who you'd find on a throne

So someone having a dump then?

Dave

[Grinning]

Depends on the type of throne:
If the throne was in a kingdom, then the ruler would be a king; for a principality that would be a prince; for an empire that would be a emperor; whereas poor George Bush has none of those - he's only got a country so that makes him a ...
very apt methinks albeit slightly off topic - sorry

[bogie]

Scuffers said:

got to say I read this as Caparo flag waving that they have got a customer...

not sure how to take the 18 brake specialists bit, how many people does it take to spec a new disk/caliper setup?

thats what I thought too ...it did read a bit funny until the article was updated too...the first cut seemed to read as if theyd just took the Caparo brakes off and stuck em on a DB9 ! LOL ...like the ones from a 500kg thing would be good enough for a 1.8ton GT car ...the article was updated with more detail shortly after

[Valentin]

Generally speaking I find brake upgrades a much-underrated modification for a performance car.
People mostly always first think of an ECU upgrade, exhaust, cat, air filter, than they think about suspensions, shock absorbers and in the last place they think about the brakes. Oh and in the very first place there are 22" rims and a seriously cool looking body kit (ask the Mansory customers!!)... (being sarcastic, of course. what Mansory has done to (hopefully only a few) Astons is dreadful!!!!!!!!!!!)
I think we should appreciate if Caparo offers a brake upgrade for the DB9. And if I'd have a DB9, I'd seriously consider this set.