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Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:32 pm
by Oversteer
I'm considering upgrading to a Willwood brake kit from rallydesign, keeping the standard 15" BBS ET24 wheels! I know that this had been debated a zilion times but I've been searching the forum, but there is some ambiguous answers.
Rallydesign have 2 kits available, one with Dynalite II caliper and other with Midlite caliper (the one with dust seals).
http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/catalog/pr ... ts_id=3911
http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/catalog/pr ... ts_id=3912
1st: does any of this 2 kits need any wheel spacers to fit under these wheels? I've red about a 3mm spacer needed, but with which kit, Dyn or Mid? or both?
2nd: Does the std master cilinder is enough to deal with this calipers?
3rd: Does the front brake improvement change the natural brake balance of the car, considering the rear stays standard? in other words, does the brake become too much front biased?
EDIT: what's the difference between radial and lug mount?
Thanks guys in advance.
Cheers!
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:14 pm
by march109
Why don't you contact the manufacturer surely they would know the definitive answers to your questions.
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:07 am
by Oversteer
march109 wrote:Why don't you contact the manufacturer surely they would know the definitive answers to your questions.
Sorry if I seemed presumptuous, but sometimes my English is not the best.
I was looking for in person experiences.
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:15 am
by march109
Thats not a probelm dude, your english is much better than some of our english members, such is the state of education in our country so I wouldn't worry about not being understood.
I'm afraid I can't be more help in personal experiences since I have not bought this kit .... yet...... I do intend to, the brother of a user on e30 zone (IRC gareth) named something similar to keri-WMS sells there kits, form what I recall the kit he sells fits in the 15" wheels, and is suitable with the original master cylinder since although there are 4 pistons the area of the pistons is equal to the original e30 items. Yet it rpovides superior braking because of the larger area of the pads and discs.
Seriosly don't worry about your english!
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:49 am
by oldbimmer
Why not call Rally Design - I once had a long chat with the guy that developed the kit for the E30 (I think his name was Andy?) The standard Master cylinder allegedly works fine and the the 280mm kit will fit under 15" rims, although I was still advised to measure the BBS rims to be 100% sure. You will also need a set of hoses made up (metric one end and imperial the other end).
As for your other questions - I'd have a chat with them directly...
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:56 am
by keri-WMS
Just for the record, WMS are not Wilwood products, or related to Wilwood in any way, WMS is a totally separate brand....
The WMS 280mm kit fits under the 15" BBS with no wheel spacers needed but it's very tight, I can't speak for Wilwood's kit of course!

Re:
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:12 pm
by paulg390
and i can say that the Wilwood 310mm kit definitely does NOT fit under any of the aftermarket 15 inch rims I've got.... just ordered some 280mm rotors to see if they will fit. Will let you know..
Re:
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:24 pm
by Theo
The 280mm wms kit is great, I have them on my 335 track car and the braking is fantastic. It's massively better than the standard setup. What I would say is that you will (in my opinion) need to getter a bigger master cylinder, the standard e30 one is too small giving a long pedal stroke and poor feel. I fitted a 25mm master cylinder from a e32 750, which is a simple upgrade as is the e30 m3 master cylinder which is 23mm.
With regard to brake balance, I really can't see there being an issue - i use slightly bigger rear brakes than the standard e30 and encountered no problems whatsoever.
An additional benefit with the wms (and willwood) kit is the cheapness of the brake pads, i paid £45 for a set of ferodo ds2500 front pads, which are about £120? for standard e30 calipers!
Re:
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:33 am
by oze30
Radial mount has 2 holes in the caliper that then bolt to the hub. Lug mount has 2 tabs that come off the caliper to bolt to the hub (OE E30 brakes)
WMS,
Do you have anything for 17inch wheels and M3 spacing? looking for an equivalent to the brembo 4 pot kit.
Re:
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:48 pm
by keri-WMS
oze30 wrote:WMS,
Do you have anything for 17inch wheels and M3 spacing? looking for an equivalent to the brembo 4 pot kit.
Hi, PM sent (M3 kit is still under development I'm afraid).
Re:
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:37 am
by ste
Theo325 wrote:The 280mm wms kit is great...[snip]
What he said ^

Re:
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:11 am
by jmc330i
Theo325 wrote:I fitted a 25mm master cylinder from a e32 750, which is a simple upgrade as is the e30 m3 master cylinder which is 23mm.
The 750i 25mm master cylinder is a straight swap for a non-M3 E30, but the E30 M3 master cylinder isnt.
The E30 M3 master cylinder has 2 different sized holes for the brake pipes - one M12 fitting and one M10. The E30 325i and 750i master cylinder both have two M10 fittings.
To use the E30 M3 master cylinder on say a 325i, the one brake pipe with M12 fitting will need changing. Id go with the 750i master cylinder rather than the M3 one.
Re:
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:33 pm
by Taffy
we raced on the wilwood kit, superb stuff for the money, thought it was too cheap to work to be honest but was amazed, nearly as good as AP's but 1/4 of the price, highly recommended
Re:
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:41 pm
by paulg390
[quote="jmc330iThe 750i 25mm master cylinder is a straight swap for a non-M3 E30, but the E30 M3 master cylinder isnt.
[/quote]
Quick Q - Is that an e32 750i ? Is the 750i diff to the other 7 series ?
Re:
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:45 pm
by Theo
Yes E32 750, bolt on to an e30 servo. I think (guessing really) that they mount differently to other e32 master cylinders though.
Re:
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:47 pm
by paulg390
Thanks Theo, and just to confirm that I now have 280mm Wilwoods fitted under my after market 15inch wheels

Re:
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:53 pm
by Dan318-is
Theo325 wrote:Yes E32 750, bolt on to an e30 servo. I think (guessing really) that they mount differently to other e32 master cylinders though.
Iv heard 730 ones are also 25mm
Re:
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:37 pm
by jmc330i
Dan318-is wrote:Theo325 wrote:Yes E32 750, bolt on to an e30 servo. I think (guessing really) that they mount differently to other e32 master cylinders though.
Iv heard 730 ones are also 25mm
Some of the 730's (M30 or M60) use a Girling M/C which wont fit AFAIK.
The only E32 that uses just the ATE M/C is the 750i, so to be safe its best to get a 750i one. If you can find a 730i/735i with an ATE M/C then it should be fine.
Re:
Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:32 pm
by Andy335Touring
730/735 '85 -> 03/88 for the right one, 03/88 onwards is the wrong one
Re:
Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:57 pm
by jmc330i
Nice one Andy, I wasnt sure which way round it was.
Re:
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:35 pm
by Oversteer
Taffy wrote:we raced on the wilwood kit, superb stuff for the money, thought it was too cheap to work to be honest but was amazed, nearly as good as AP's but 1/4 of the price, highly recommended
Dynalite or midlite caliper?
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 4:53 pm
by RossDavies
hi sorry to revive an old thread but what brake hoses did you use with the wilwood dynalite calipers?
im having an absolute nightmare finding anything to fit (even custom) but im sure its just me being an idiot.
the problem with the dynalite is that the brake pipe port comes ot of the side at 90 degrees to the car and the e30 caliper port is 45 degrees upward at the top so the hose can go up down and back up to the bulkhead. if i just put longer hoses out at 90 degrees out of the caliper and straight up to bulkhead surely this will foul on lock? also i cant find a 90 degree male to female 1/8 npt union that isnt made of chocolate unless for 30 quid from the states. (was thinking of this as a solution to use original e30 hose)
ive spent money on custom hoses which just didnt work so needless to say im surely making a mountain of a mole hill?
thanks
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 5:00 pm
by flybynite
Can't you use a banjo fitting?
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 5:07 pm
by RossDavies
i was considering this but there are two problems i can see. the dynalite calipers dont have a machined flat service to accept a copper washer so i dont know if it would seal 100 percent, also all the custom hoses i can find to use a 45/90 banjo one end and an m10x1 female the other have this weird swivel female instead of a fixed female for bulkhead. and the mating faces dont look like they would seal to the e30 steel brake pipe.
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 5:13 pm
by RossDavies
also the hoses on my car are female both ends with a union at one end to screw into the e30 caliper. is tis normal? as all the ones i see for sale are male one one end
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 6:03 pm
by flybynite
Can't rule out someone has been there before and done something weird.
Only thing I can suggest is you find a HEL dealer near you. Most have the ability to make up what you need on the spot. I have not had any issues with any HEL lines to date.
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 6:24 pm
by RossDavies
thanks mate have just looked at their website and the have the correct fittings. also the ends can apparently be bent to a certain extent so should help with fitting
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2024 2:49 am
by reggid
RossDavies wrote: ↑Mon Jan 01, 2024 4:53 pm
hi sorry to revive an old thread but what brake hoses did you use with the wilwood dynalite calipers?
im having an absolute nightmare finding anything to fit (even custom) but im sure its just me being an idiot.
the problem with the dynalite is that the brake pipe port comes ot of the side at 90 degrees to the car and the e30 caliper port is 45 degrees upward at the top so the hose can go up down and back up to the bulkhead. if i just put longer hoses out at 90 degrees out of the caliper and straight up to bulkhead surely this will foul on lock? also i cant find a 90 degree male to female 1/8 npt union that isnt made of chocolate unless for 30 quid from the states. (was thinking of this as a solution to use original e30 hose)
ive spent money on custom hoses which just didnt work so needless to say im surely making a mountain of a mole hill?
thanks
1/8" npt male to M10x1 female 90 degree elbow is what is on mine. It came with the kit i bought (dynapro lug mount) but should be able to find online. should be able to use stock lines male one end and female other end
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201786925202
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2024 4:53 pm
by RossDavies
thanks, i followed the advice of flybynite and used HEL for stainless braided hoses i have ordered. m10x1 female with concave seat and extended barrel one end, and 1/8npt fixed end the other.
i also am using a 90 degree fitting but mine is 1/8 nptf male to 1/8 nptf female. i used a brass one previously and it just would spread and leak rather than seal when tightened. so ive had to buy all the way from the states for a steel one as its the only place i could find one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191105688160
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2024 12:37 pm
by lellis
Rubbish photo, but my Wilwood kit from VRD Classic came with these 90deg HEL lines!
I wonder if they would sell you the lines?
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:19 pm
by rix313
lellis wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 12:37 pm
I wonder if they would sell you the lines?
I sure can
RossDavies wrote: ↑Mon Jan 01, 2024 4:53 pm
hi sorry to revive an old thread but what brake hoses did you use with the wilwood dynalite calipers?
Drop me a PM as I supply these kits and E30 specific stainless lines for them that bolt straight on.
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:15 pm
by lellis
rix313 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:19 pm
lellis wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 12:37 pm
I wonder if they would sell you the lines?
I sure can
Sorry I forgot your name on here!
Re: Wilwood 280mm 4 pot brake kits - Facts!
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:27 pm
by RossDavies
Drop me a PM as I supply these kits and E30 specific stainless lines for them that bolt straight on.
[/quote]
damn i bought hel lines now but without a 90 bend so had to use unions. i would have much preferred these. if i change my mind il pm you