Master cylinder upgrade...

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jaistanley
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Location: Coventry and Essex

Post Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:33 am

I've just fitted M3 running gear to my 318is and am having trouble with the brakes. I'm used to cars with a good firm pedal feel, I prefer the level of control and feel you get from having a larger master cylinder than perhaps many people could live with.

I have re-conditioned the calipers (and painted them black, tart :wink: ), fitted new solid lines (where neccassary), braided flexible lines and bled the system with new 5.1 fluid.

Now, because of the 22mm master cylinder fitted to my car (the M3 has a 23.8mm cylinder as standard) the pedal has very little feel and it is very easy to lock the wheels during 'enthusiastic' braking.

I've heard the EVO M3's had a 25mm master cylinder and the part from a 750i e32 7 series is the same. New from ECP this master cylinder is Ԛ£125 8O so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative. My local VW breakers have 23mm master cylinders that'll fit but the larger ones are a different bolt pattern.

Is there an alternative? Does anyone have a second hand 25mm from either a late M3 ro a 7 series they would like to sell me? If I can't find one I'm gonna have to fork out loadsa money to stop me locking up every 5 minutes. Lame.

Also, what are the fittting implications? Does the 25mm master cylinder have different sized fittings to my 318is? I have a flaring tool and unions but hopefully it'll just bolt on.

Anyone have any comments for me??

Cheers guys.

Jai
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Fushion_Julz
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Location: Blackwater

Post Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:38 am

Can't help on the parts front but, if it were me, and I was going to all that trouble (and expense) why not try a racing master cylinder and fabricate the mounting to the bulkhead?

Most racing/tuning suppliers (like DT) sell 'em
1987 Henna Rot M3 (was 195bhp CAT..now more and no cat)
2001 E46 330i SE Touring (manual)
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jaistanley
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Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Coventry and Essex

Post Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:32 pm

The 750i master cylinder is a simple swap as far as I can see so the car wont be off the road any longer than neccassary...

Plus even at 125 quid new, the 750i is still cheaper than a wilwood pedal assembly and the three master cylinders required to run the system, then I have to re-inforce and flatten the bulkhead on the drivers side by my feet etc etc...

Not a problem on a shell that's not got to get me to work!

I'm thinking of buying a 316i with no sunroof so I can do stuff like that and swap over shells later on. Would have a cage, seam wleds etc.

Until then, I'd prefer a bolt on upgrade. Cheers for the suggestion though. It is one worth careful consideration..Would be ultra :cool:


Anyone have a cylinder or done this mod?

Jai
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Andy335Touring
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Location: Long Eaton,Nottingham

Post Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:15 pm

Have a read of this :thumb:

http://e30m3performance.com/installs/in ... c/25mc.htm
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