Brakes

First off, ensure the callipers are in full working order (no sticking pistons, seals etc) and the brakes hoses are in good condition before embarking on any upgrade.

The 1st modification would be to change to Goodridge type braided lines and replace the existing fluid with ATE Superblue which is about the best performing fluid on the market, with the exception of Castrol SRF for a road/trackday oriented car.

Next up would be a change of brake pads. There are several available in the current marketplace designed for fast road/track day and pure race situations. Unless the car is spending all its time doing track days or racing then there is no need to opt for the race spec pads, better to go for the likes of Mintex M1144/1155 or some of the fast road spec offerings from EBC/Ferodo/Pagid etc. Ferodo DS2500 pads make a nice fast road, occasional track day compromise.

If this still isn't quite enough, then the next step would be drilled or grooved disks(possibly both). These do have a tendency to reduce pad life and can be noisy on occasions.

Now we move up to larger diameter disks, of which there are several options available.

For those using 14" wheels there's nothing much to do due to the limited space available. Those with 15" wheels could possibly fit 280mm disks with std sliding callipers or 4 piston callipers from manufacturers like AP Racing, Brembo, Alcon, Wilwood or Hi Spec, However this can become costly. Another option is to scour eBay and breakers yards for crashed cars that already have 4 pots fitted.

Cars with 4pot callipers

• Aston Martin(various)-DB7
• Alfa Romeo GTV/166
• Audi Possibly RS2,S8,RS8
• BMW E38 728i
• BMW E31 840i,850i,850csi
• Citroen C8 possibly (going by pad shape)
• Ferrari (all newer models)
• Fiat Coupe
• Fiat Ulysee possibly(going by pad shape)
• Ford Focus RS
• Ford Puma(racing) fitted with Alcon 4pots as standard
• Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 3dr
• Jaguar S type R
• Lamborghini(all newer models)
• Lancia Delta(integrale)
• Lancia Phedra
• Lotus Carlton (AP group C spec)
• Range Rover(newer ones have Brembo's)
• Mazda RX-7
• Mercedes ( most of the higher spec AMG variants)
• Mitsibishi 3000GT
• Mitsibishi Lancer ( from Evo 4 onwards iirc)
• Nissan 300ZX
• Nissan Skyline (R33GTR/R34GTR)
• Nissan 350Z
• Peugeot 607(possibly)
• Peugeot 807(possibly)
• Peugeot 406 Coupe
• Porsche 911/928/944/959/968/Boxster/Cayenne/Cayman
• Renault Clio Sport(mid engined version)
• MG MGF
• Seat Cupra R (Ibiza,Leon)
• Subaru Impeza STI
• Toyota Hilux
• Toyota Celica GT4
• Toyota Supra
• TVR ( certain newer models)
• Vauxhall Monaro VXR

Owners who have already fitted larger wheels(16" upwards) have a head start and can fit disks from 300mm upwards. I know that 302mm disks with 4 pot callipers can be made to fit under 16" wheels(that's my current setup -- Baddave) and it works rather well.

If you are prepared to look around to find parts,and are happy to fabricate calliper brackets, then a budget big brake set-up can be achieved for around 40% less than the equivalent off the shelf items.

One conversion which is gaining in popularity is the Audi TT disks and E34 540i calliper set-up.

<<Please update me with details of how this is done, any M/C changes and where to locate calliper adaptors>> More information available on www.300mm.de

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E30 compatible Master Cylinders

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