Brakes - choices of upgrade

[Vt-Brrrlina]

ok have a vp v8 executive ---

brakes are pretty crap to say the least anyway...

im pretty ok with taking off callipers and discs etc for replacement - so just wondering as an upgrade WHAT would be a better upgrade that people have done as a straight BOLT on - no messing around as i dont have the tools to be machining this and that just straight bolt on upgrade ---..

ive read somewhere in a streetcommos magazine a fella had vy or vz discs and callipers on dont know if they are a straight fit though or there is the vt big brake upgrade what you guys reckon

[Vt-Brrrlina]

VT COMMODORE BIG BRAKE CONV FITS VB VC VH VK VL VN VP - eBay, Other Car Parts, Accessories, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 18-Jan-09 20:26:41 AEDST)


is this a reasonable upgrade that id wanna be looking at too ????

[Morton]

It depends how much braking performance you're after.

You can get reasonable results from a set of good pads and some slotted rotors.

But if it's a track car, and you're regularly stopping from 100kph+ then it's probably worth investing in twin pots

[Vt-Brrrlina]

not into full on racing but wouldnt mind goin to the drags - street meets etc - so something with a bit of grab would be nice but dont wanna spend 5 - 6 hundred and have similar probs - to ut it simply with current brake setup i reckon im struggling to lock up the brakes - they just arnt grabbing

[Morton]

A good set of pads and some new brake fluid should fix that I have fat sticky tyres on my stato, and I have no issues locking the brakes up if I try And I'm running really average pads.

[immortality]

not into full on racing but wouldnt mind goin to the drags - street meets etc - so something with a bit of grab would be nice but dont wanna spend 5 - 6 hundred and have similar probs - to ut it simply with current brake setup i reckon im struggling to lock up the brakes - they just arnt grabbing

if your into drag racing then weight is important and your not pushing the brakes continuesly like circuit racing then i'd suggest new slotted rotors with some good pads. pads of choice at the mo seem to be QFM pads from GSL rally sport (site sponsor). personally for the little extra weight of the VT upgrade you'll definitly notice a big increase in stopping power.

[Vt-Brrrlina]

i like the look of those red hsv callipers u see getting around - also i guess trying to add to the visual of the car now shes not all banged up -- but more importantly want the stopping power

[immortality]

those red HSV calipers are 4spot and would be a very expensive upgrade. check the hopper stoppers website

[Vt-Brrrlina]

.

for anyone else interested - yeh thats what im talking about cept for the red calipers but i guess they can always be painted - might look into that

[immortality]

PM Not_an_abba_fan. he's doing a special on brake upgrades at the mo, might have something that interests you for a good price

[Vt-Brrrlina]

awesome will do cheers for that matey

[VrWagz1]

Agreed the factory brakes are crap. Especially with the 5ltrs sitting in them. Either the HSV 4 piston calipers or the VT/Z brake upgade are about the only bolt on options you have. The HSV's are gonna perform better as they are 4 piston, 330mm rotors and are designed to work with the standard booster and master cylinder. Where as you might get a cheaper upgrade out of the VT/Z twin piston calipers and 298mm rotors, but the twin pistons are really big calipers and you get a low pedal out of them and like me and some others here have then opted to put the VT/Z booster and master in aswell to get the full pedal back.
Also if you change the stroke on the master after its been running for years at the same travel, you run the risk of it starting to bypass and leak. Which strips the paint nicely off the sill rail in my engine bay

[Vt-Brrrlina]

hmmm so your saying i can do the vt (big brake upgrade) then if i put the vt booster and master on - (straight bolt on -- I hope lol ) then that would be a fairly decent increase on the standard brakes - and yeh was tryin to say it nicely but the standard ones in my car are crap - new discs new pads new brake fluid - just doesnt feel like its pullin the car up good enuff for me -

[VrWagz1]

VT booster is not a straight bolt in. Vt booster m/c in Vr V8 with ABS It wont differ alot for the instal to a VP and if it has no ABS then its even easier. But you do need to modify the bracket. You can PM markovr and see if hes still making them still, if he does then it will be a straight bolt in as he makes it all up ready to fit.
But yes you can do the VT's but you need that kit off ebay as it has the hub adaptors for the VP's. The VR/s are different. They have a new hub design and it only takes a spacer ring, whereas the VP's need those adaptors you can see in the ebay link.

[Vt-Brrrlina]

ak k beautiful mate will do sounds like the go - sorta in the price range and hopefully fully boltable on

[VrWagz1]

That kit on ebay didnt have a bad price on it the other day. But when i did it myself, i sourced all the parts second hand and it worked out heaps cheaper for me, but you gotta get the stuff at the right price. I was lucky and got the rotors and calipers for about $70 off ebay, new brake lines set me back $95 at the local brake shop and i only needed the $40 spacer rings for the hubs

VN/VP/VR/VS commodore VT front brake complete upgrade - eBay Other Brakes, Brakes, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 20-Jan-09 22:22:27 AEDST)

Somtimes you can get lucky and find things

[Vt-Brrrlina]

yeh im a lil bit like id rather buy the complete package least i know im gettttin everything i need to do the job - hate stuffin round as im not in a position where i can leave my car in a hundred bits (if ya know what i mean) least if i got all he bits i can do it in a day jobby