Red p plater looking to upgrade brakes

[holden_calais_VT_1999]

throught that would get ur attenion lol basiclly i am a read p plater with a modded commie and i was talking to the guy that mods the car for me and said your next mod should be the brakes. and i tottally agree with him even if with upgraed breaks i only stop 1-3m eailer that could still mean saving a life so yeah so i am just after a lil info on it

i currently own a vt Calais 1999

[chief18]

Well I am unsure on the set up of a vt calais but the options are basically all the same.

Bigger, better rotors, slotted possible x drilled.

Better pads to suit your driving, and pre-mentioned mod's.

If its running single piston calipers, consider dual piston or even quad piston calipers, which will in turn require a better master cylinder to apply the req. pressure.

[nathg]

You would probably best be going with the VE conversion for the front. Don;t worry too much about the back, maybe just slotted discs and some good quality pads.

Edit: WTF, why don;t you mod your own car?

[holden_calais_VT_1999]

just basic mods exhaust extractor highflo cat throught to tip cold air intake kn pannel filter and sl king springs all round

i dont have a lot of cash so whats the ceapest way to get my breaks working better?

[holden_calais_VT_1999]

because i am not a mechanic or anything like tha i am a baker mate and who cares if i do the mods on my car if u have nothing productive to say then kindly pi$$ off

[danja]

The VT's have decent brakes, just get some decent pads, flush the fluid if it's old, replace the rotors if they are on their way out. Most people would go slotted in the process.

You can run off and spend $4,000 on a "big brake" kit which you don't need and all you'll be doing is locking the wheels up every time you step on the pedals because you'll need racing slicks to keep up with the callipers.

[nathg]

because i am not a mechanic or anything like tha i am a baker mate and who cares if i do the mods on my car if u have nothing productive to say then kindly pi$$ off

Ahahah your bloody kidding aren't you?!?!

I gave you my answer which is most likely the right answer for your needs/budget. Please don't think you need to be a mechanic to have some intelligence towards modding a car, you are very wrong there.

The current modifications on your car wouldn't need an upgrade of brakes because it isn't giving that much more power than stock, but obviously it isn't a bad thing to have some decent pulling power behind the wheels. If this answer has been to harsh for you, please 'pi$$ off' and find another forum, preferbly one that teaches basic english spelling/grammar.

[TVR-190]

Yeah dude, go easy you got given good info and now youre telling people to piss off. Having that attitude will get you banned. so just be friendly.

[savage1987]

Here's my 2c worth.. you own a VT, you don't really need to significantly upgrade the brakes with the mods you have so far. I'd look into getting some slotted rotors the same size that yours are now, direct replacements for your current ones. If you are pressed for cash you can just do the fronts for a significant gain over stock, or you could do all 4 if you want to (or if they are getting worn anyway). This way you don't need to upgrade calipers, master cylinder, etc. Obviously do your pads at the same time. Personally I use Bendix General CT as they don't need to be at 1,000,000 degrees to work properly, so they are nicely suited to my car and driving style.

Read up on cross drilled and slotted rotors. I run them on my car, but some people say they crack if you are not gentle with them. I have had no problems with this myself but if you do your own research there you will be able to make an educated decision. They aren't generally that much more expensive than slotted in the same size.

Hope that helps
Sam

[danja]

Also, if you go bigger pads you'll be forking out a lot more money every time you change them. Try asking one of the forum sponsors how much standard pad replacement versus say the HSV premium brake pad replacements. Make sure you're sitting down.

[Maxseverity]

Here is a way to save lives. Drive slower and keep an eye out. anyways stock brakes have plenty enough stopping power.

[Tsunamix]

Heres the facts Jack.

VT Brakes have a single 1.5" Diameter (i think..) front pot in each caliper. This is effective, but leads to poor brake feel.

I have - replaced my front rotors with Slotted ones, to aid rotor cooling, and it also wears the brake pad away a little more, presenting a closer to pefect friction pad surface. The material in aftermarket rotors to me feels better as well. I got mine from greg at GSL.

Pads - the Police Spec pads have a larger friction surface. Improves stopping distance. the material is a more consistent performer as well, so you get a double boost. Again GSL supplied mine.

Factory rubber hoses seem to be fine. wider tyres and a rear camber kit will also help, as they give you a bigger contact patch on the ground.

I am keenly looking at the VE larger rotor package greg has.

As for those that say the VT needs no upgrade ? Bullsh*t. Well - maybe not total Bullshi* but the factory VT brakes are not as good as a BMW, or even some tractors I've driven. VT brakes are put on older model commodores becuase by and large, the older brakes are worse again. The VT is heavier and responds really well to brake upgrades, and i wholeheartedly advise everyone to spend more on brakes ! They can save your life, your passengers, and whoever you didn't hit's life !

The only things topping me upgrading to a VE package is budget.

[savage1987]

As for those that say the VT needs no upgrade ? Bullsh*t. Well - maybe not total Bullshi* but the factory VT brakes are not as good as a BMW, or even some tractors I've driven.

Some cars have better brakes than those listed, too, does that mean BMW's brakes are shit and need upgrading? No. They do the job just fine for each model. If you're worried your VT won't stop quick enough, from memory any front brake rotors and calipers from VT-VY(not 100% sure about VZ for some reason) will bolt straight up and provide a strong gain.

[Commydoor]

your on a budget?...slotted discs and EBC red pads fr and rr cost me like $500...the big 330mm/315mm brakes that just landed at me door were just over a G...flush your hydraulics with DOT4 fluid and throw in some Bendix fr and rr and should get heaps of change from $150...

[mrbeef]

As for those that say the VT needs no upgrade ? Bullsh*t. Well - maybe not total Bullshi* but the factory VT brakes are not as good as a BMW, or even some tractors I've driven. .

lol you can't compare a tractor to a car. most of them are all wet-system Hydraulic and are required pull up large weights. My tractor will stop a dam sight quicker than my calais even at (40kph). 4wheel braking on the drivetrain

end rant

[180sc]

Heres the facts Jack.

VT Brakes have a single 1.5" Diameter (i think..) front pot in each caliper. This is effective, but leads to poor brake feel.

All VT models are fitted with ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear. The brake calipers are the
sliding, reaction type, with twin pistons in the front calipers and single in the rear.

My advice for the mods you have would be to get a complete fluid flush with good quality fluid then put slotted rotors all round with good quality pads. Then if you run out of brakes you should have your license taken off you because your driving beyond legal and safe limits for public roads.

[pablo]

I recon an up-grade to a better attitude on the road for some red p platers would be the best mod they could do!.........for everybodys safety.

[savage1987]

lol I love P plater burning threads!

[holden_calais_VT_1999]

what everyones deal u were all on ur p's at one stage i was just looking at upgradeing my breaks u have noidea how i drive how good or bad i am all i wanted was a lil info about brakes not everyone personal attack on RED P PLATERS just goes to show how many are quick to judge i hope to god when ur sons or daughters are on there p's everyones give them shit about the way they drive and wearing p plates on there car

if u have nothing better to do then rip on p platers then kindly PI$$ OFF and as far as i am concerened i am a good drive never been in a crash or ever lost controll of my car and never had a speeding ticket so u all are harssing me on my thread so ill say it agian if u got some info then leave it and i will apperciate it but if u just ripping on p plater then kindly pi$$ off

[danja]

Heres the facts Jack.

VT Brakes have a single 1.5" Diameter (i think..) front pot in each caliper. This is effective, but leads to poor brake feel.

VT-onwards are all twin-pot fronts, rears are single.

As for those that say the VT needs no upgrade ? Bullsh*t. Well - maybe not total Bullshi* but the factory VT brakes are not as good as a BMW, or even some tractors I've driven. VT brakes are put on older model commodores becuase by and large, the older brakes are worse again. The VT is heavier and responds really well to brake upgrades, and i wholeheartedly advise everyone to spend more on brakes ! They can save your life, your passengers, and whoever you didn't hit's life !

The brakes are just one part of the system which slows you down, and the system is only as good as the weakest link, which in the case of a street driven VT usually isn't the rotors/calipers, but the rubber on the ground.

If you can lock the wheels with the stock calipers, then how are bigger brakes going to help you slow down? Sure you might achieve the same braking force with less pedal effort, but this does not mean you'll slow down any faster.

If you were planning to track your car and therefore expected to be doing high speed stops frequently, sure having big brakes might help keep the temps manageable, but for a street car it's a moot point.

[savage1987]

i hope to god when ur sons or daughters are on there p's everyones give them shit about the way they drive and wearing p plates on there car

They sure will! Hell, I'll give my kids shit about wearing P plates. Meanwhile however, I hope to God you learn how to spell and use punctuation!! Write proper English!! I'm sick of wading through posts that are full of illiterate scribblings! This is not just addressed to the original poster in this thread, but to every idiot on here who can't work out where the shift key is or how to use a fullstop.

The brakes are just one part of the system which slows you down, and the system is only as good as the weakest link, which in the case of a street driven VT usually isn't the rotors/calipers, but the rubber on the ground.

If you can lock the wheels with the stock calipers, then how are bigger brakes going to help you slow down? Sure you might achieve the same braking force with less pedal effort, but this does not mean you'll slow down any faster.

If you were planning to track your car and therefore expected to be doing high speed stops frequently, sure having big brakes might help keep the temps manageable, but for a street car it's a moot point.

You are completely correct.

Sam

[VryNeat]

They sure will! Hell, I'll give my kids shit about wearing P plates. Meanwhile however, I hope to God you learn how to spell and use punctuation!! Write proper English!! I'm sick of wading through posts that are full of illiterate scribblings! This is not just addressed to the original poster in this thread, but to every idiot on here who can't work out where the shift key is or how to use a fullstop.

Sam

In response to ur ranting about English skills Sam i fully agree but mine are shit, we're gonna get a generation of illiterate ****s coming through and i honestly blame the schooling system there is more focus on maths and science and aboriginal studies..... then again maybe i just never went to English

[savage1987]

In response to ur ranting about English skills Sam i fully agree but mine are shit, we're gonna get a generation of illiterate ****s coming through and i honestly blame the schooling system there is more focus on maths and science and aboriginal studies..... then again maybe i just never went to English

Now I'm no racist by any stretch of the imagination, but LOL@aboriginal studies..

You're right, so many deadshits in the coming generations.

Back on topic, don't upgrade your brakes unless you have money to burn or just really hate brake fade.

Sam

[edals]

what everyones deal u were all on ur p's at one stage i was just looking at upgradeing my breaks u have noidea how i drive how good or bad i am all i wanted was a lil info about brakes not everyone personal attack on RED P PLATERS just goes to show how many are quick to judge i hope to god when ur sons or daughters are on there p's everyones give them shit about the way they drive and wearing p plates on there car

if u have nothing better to do then rip on p platers then kindly PI$$ OFF and as far as i am concerened i am a good drive never been in a crash or ever lost controll of my car and never had a speeding ticket so u all are harssing me on my thread so ill say it agian if u got some info then leave it and i will apperciate it but if u just ripping on p plater then kindly pi$$ off

Just cause you have never been in a crash, lost control of your car or had a speeding ticket, does not always mean your a good driver. And being on P plates, you have limit driving experience and yet to have it all happen to you. Even after your 60, You will still see new things. Being a bike rider, People of all ages have almost killed me, Lots of times, and just being able to react quick enough has saved me. After 3 years of riding, i gave it up as some people just do not concentrate enough, And that i saw death to much.
Yes, I am a Green P Plater, I still get caught out while driving. Everyday is a new adventure on the road.

Good that you want to upgrade your brakes. I Would hate to think how many people that have no pads or discs left on there cars.

[nathg]

So I think you have a few options now. Flush the system and put new pads and slotted rotors through to a complete converstion. Now I would go ask your mate what he thinks would be best for you to do