Upgrading Brakes

[TVR653X]

I may have only driven my S1.5 a few times, but I have discovered the brakes are not as sharp as I would like (they work, but you have to give them a firm shuv). I was wondering what upgrades i could do, and what kind of cost each upgrade is likely to incur (I will choose the cheapest and most effective mod).

Cheers

[CTE]

Standard brakes should work just fine. I have just upgraded mine but only because approaching hairpins at 150mph became a bit hairy on one or two occasions whilst doing trackdays. Below 120mph the old brakes worked well and I would not have changed them...obviously bigger brakes look nice. I should check you have bled the brakes properly, and that you have some decent pads...I used Green Stuff. Are your discs bedded in properly? Bear in mine the standard brakes were designed to stop up to 2 tonnes of loaded car plus a trailer.

Others can tell you better, but probably the most cost effective solution is to fit 260mm standard discs with Mondeo callipers. You`ll need the right version and some spacers. Sounds like an excuse to go to a scrap yard near you and get some cheap callipers to exchange at your local motor factors. Discs can be bought cheap aswell.

[TVR653X]

I'll go with putting new pas on first. My mate was also on about putting 'dot' summit or other in the brakes to make them better, any ideas?

[techbotics]

XR4 Disk and callipers cost next to nothing and give you 260mm. Granada Cosworth give 278mm.

But check the hoses and swap out brake fluid and you will probably notice a big improvement.

Damian

[Jed-S]

When I collected my car the brakes were pants and took a real good prod to make them work. The car had been stored outside half the year and rarely used and the discs had rusted and had a glazed finish. Changing the discs made a huge difference and I was then able to lock the wheels at any road legal speed. I picked up a new pair of 240mm discs for £12 from a car show so they aren't expensive.

Also get teh brake fluid changed and you should have some good brakes for minimal dosh.

I've since upgraded to the 260mm discs and Mintex M1144 pads and this gives slightly more feel but you shouldn't NEED to upgrade.

Just a though, but how about updating your profile with the region you're located? Someone might have some spares that they're willing to offload....

[S2 Giles]

I have replaced my disks with EBC dotted & grooved disks & EBC Green stuff pads. They didnt cost much, slide straight into place and work eally well.

Dots are usefull as drilled holes often crack the discs or at least create weak points. particularly in the lower price range.

Search the forum & you'll get the part numbers etc, i think the discs were sierra and called "Turbo Brake Discs" i know its a crap name

[TVR653X]

Ok cheers guys. Is it difficult to put disk on the rear, or should I just stick with the drums?

[techbotics]

Hi Mate

See this thread for info on Cosworth fronts..

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

And this one for more front discussion and rear conversion info..

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Cheers

Damian

[TVR653X]

Many thanks, I've emailed him about it. Just looking at front discs for now, preferably the ones with minimal fuss to install, and also minimal cost!

[Gerald-TVR]

Taken from an other thread, this could have possibilities

http://www.3gecomponents.com/templates1/view_produ...

[mep12345]

If on searching you find it is disc and/or caliper issues I have a pair of standard calipers (full working order, but could do with new bleed nipples as old ones are rounded) and 240mm discs (almost new) that I took off when I upgraded to 260mm XR4i calipers and XR4i discs recently.

Yours for cost of postage, or if close (Plymouth, Bristol or Portsmouth areas) we could meet and I'll give them to you

Mark

[TVR653X]

mep12345 said:

If on searching you find it is disc and/or caliper issues I have a pair of standard calipers (full working order, but could do with new bleed nipples as old ones are rounded) and 240mm discs (almost new) that I took off when I upgraded to 260mm XR4i calipers and XR4i discs recently.

Yours for cost of postage, or if close (Plymouth, Bristol or Portsmouth areas) we could meet and I'll give them to you

Mark

YHM.


Also, what's the standard brake disk size?

[techbotics]

240mm

[TVR653X]

techbotics said:

240mm

So what'd be the advantage of upgrading to 240mm disks again?

[phillpot]

Think the suggestion was (particularly if on a budget) to keep standard but make sure all is in good working order.unless replaced sometime in cars life all that stuff is over twenty years old ! Would definately change all flexi hoses and brake fluid,have good look at rear wheel cylinders for leaking and is self adjust mechanism working ok ?
Standard set up is well up to road use, Bigger brakes don't actually work any better but they will dissipate heat better and so keep working when used more extremely (track days etc.)

Final thought, is servo working ok ? not unknown for them to rust through down the bottom at the back where you can't see.

Edited by phillpot on Thursday 29th October 12:52

[TVR653X]

Is £140 for new front pads, front discs, and good quality used calipers a good price? I've been offered this but just want to make sure it's a good price.

[phillpot]

TVR653X said:

Is £140 for new front pads, front discs, and good quality used calipers a good price? I've been offered this but just want to make sure it's a good price.

140 inc or plus vat ?
Fitted or supply only ?

www.brakesint.co.uk about £120 inc vat for new discs and pads and reconditioned calipers.

HTH Mike.

Edited by phillpot on Tuesday 3rd November 22:12

[TVR653X]

phillpot said:

TVR653X said:

Is £140 for new front pads, front discs, and good quality used calipers a good price? I've been offered this but just want to make sure it's a good price.

140 inc or plus vat ?
Fitted or supply only ?

www.brakesint.co.uk about £120 inc vat for new discs and pads and reconditioned calipers.

HTH Mike.

Edited by phillpot on Tuesday 3rd November 22:12

That's supplied, not fitted. It was by Hans, the guy recommended above. Just wanted to know if it was a good price? EDIT, I believe the ones he's offering are 260mm, the ones on that site are 240mm.

Edited by TVR653X on Tuesday 3rd November 23:20