<--- Want a ride?
Need better brakes
If there's anything at all I don't favour about the VZ, its the brakes. I have noticed on several occasions that the VZ has rather weak brakes for a car its size. I didn't bother about it too much, until I was involved in a small crash today. The brake pedal has to be pushed in a fair bit before any effective braking occurs. As speed reduces, pedal has to be pushed in even more to keep slowing down. Deceleration isn't great at maximum braking point, and the wheels seem to lock-up a bit early.
Are there any affordable upgrades I can do to my brakes for better braking? I'm not a racer lol, but I really feel the stock brakes should perform better.
The only Exec in Saudi that's now properly badged!
Easiest way to improve braking performance is to some better quality pads qfm pad have a pretty good hype. If you research it for street pads not for racing you want a good cold temp friction coefficient that holds into higher temps so not to have brake fade under heavy braking
VZ 3.6lt V6
Would have bought a V8 but I wanted to go FAST
Comrade Commodore
Maybe slotted rotors too. You could be getting some gas build up between the pad and disc which will affect your braking.
I aim to misbehave.
Right Foot Action
slotted rotors just make the dust escape quicker
but yes a good mod none the less, also qfm cop spec pads they have more pad surface, also you probably want to flush your fluid this should be done every 50k at the most
Compulsive.
Slots also allow gases and heat created from breaking to escape, also helps remove excess water and of course pad dust.Originally Posted by Munz
Brake fluid should be changed every 2.5 years regardless kms, as written in the manuals. No one does it though...
There is no such thing as stupid questions, Only stupid people.
Blown Alloytec
as everyone has said, slotted rotors and police spec pads are the way for cheaper option. if you want a more expensive option, look at getting the ve larger brake packages, not an abba fan does them for a good price
Alloytec Racing
QFM Police Spec Front pads from GSL Rallysport are a really good hit!! DBA Slotted rotors are fail...
Life starts at 200km/h
Big block Alloytec
I have to agree. I've had DBA slotted. Way too much vibration. Their slots are way to aggressive. However, the rotors themselves are fine.
QFM race/street pads are frekn awesome not dat noisy aswell. Get some braided brake lines and some good brake fluid like. This is my set up QFM race/street pad, front n rear braided lines, slotted rotors and ap racing 5.1 fluid. I have been to track with this combo n done probaly about 16 laps around Wakefield race track n not a problem n they are still on my car atm n stopping strongly.
My 05 VZ CALAIS --> http://s717.photobucket.com/albums/w...view=slideshow
<--- Want a ride?
Thanks for the helpful info guys. Unfortunately, I think I may have to import these things from Australia or the US... Abu Dhabi if I'm lucky. I inquired today about any sort of aftermarket brakes, brake pads, rotors and so on. They knew nothing of what I was talking about.
"Hi, I'm looking for any sort of aftermarket brakes."
"Uh... what? Aftermarket?"
"You know, brakes that are better than the standard ones. See the brakes on my car are not that good, I need stronger ones so my car can brake better"
"Uh... I've got genuine brake pads if that's what you're looking for..."
Anything I can do to the stocks to make them better? The stock brake pads are not cheap either, $150 for a set of 4. Maybe rotors and brakes from a wrecked SS?
The only Exec in Saudi that's now properly badged!
Know where you're coming from mate.
I just fitted a set of Remsa pads I bought from GSL Rallysport a month ago, they were recommended by Greg and I’ve found they’re as good and and if not better than he described them.... and then some.
(The Remsa pads have been fitted on a new set of RDA dimpled slotters.)
They give great pedal feedback, firm and positive without overkill.
The beauty is the pads didn’t cost an arm and a leg, roughly about a redback or touch more than a set of Bendix GCT pads.
They've already been put to the test with ‘just a few’ Roos & Emus appearing out of nowhere in the early hours (at 110km/h) and they pull me up confidentally and a good deal quicker...... without any need to push the brake pedal through the firewall to stop**.
(**..with the mandatory scream that sounds identical to what Crows squawk)
I went for the RDA rotors because most of my driving is at 110km/h in rural areas and I do a bit towing, but there’s no doubt these pads would do as good a job on standard rotors.
If you said the wheels lock up early thats nothing to do with the brakes, you need better tyres.
F O R U M W A R R I O R
Sounds like your brakes are in need of some maintenance.
I run stock brakes with genuine pads and she pulls up hard no problems even on track days. Obviously not as good as aftermarkets, but for street use they are more than adequate.
Get the system bled with some decent DOT4 fluid the Holden stuff is fine, skim or replace all 4 rotors and fit new pads front and rear then bed them in correctly.
If that doesnt make a huge improvement Id be checking the booster and the master cylinder.
Silver Certified.
<--- Want a ride?
The thing is see, I took it to the GM dealer for its 160k service about a month ago... everything should be fine! New pads, skimmed rotors, all fluids changed... don't forget that the Middle-East spec Commodores have no ABS. Had the car been fitted with it, wheels wouldn't have locked and I wouldn't have crashed. The cheap Korean tyres don't help...
The only Exec in Saudi that's now properly badged!
F O R U M W A R R I O R
Even without ABS the pedal travel you describe and the effort required on the pedal doesnt sound right, you should have a firm pedal that doesnt sink to the floor and you shouldnt have to tear a hammy trying to pull up.
Silver Certified.
Posting Permissions
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
