Pumapeople: Front Brakes - Pumapeople

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Front Brakes so confused

#1 User is offline   AndyW 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 11:33 AM

Right, when it comes to brakes, it's confused.com for me.

I really want to upgrade the front brakes on my car. I was thinking of tidying up the bodywork first, but as BOK said at the Oxford meet at the weekend, if you don't upgrade your brakes, you'll have no bodywork to tidy up. Thanks Colin, good point good.gif

I was thinking of getting some grooved discs, which would look great behind my (now scuffed) wheels, but have been told that the pads don't last long. Is this correct?

And is it true that the only way to improve braking is by going bigger? I could go for the 260mm upgrade that the later Pumas had, but I'd prefer to even bigger to 280mm. Is there a particular brand/type of disc/pads that I should get or any that you could recommend?

mad.gif advice needed

thanks in advance

Andy
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#2 User is offline   Clawz 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 11:43 AM

List
Bigger = more heat capacity + braking power

Grooved disks deglaze the pads, but do make them wear faster.

This post has been edited by Clawz: 08 May 2007 - 11:43 AM

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#3 User is offline   glover 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 11:51 AM

i have the 260s and there terible
aim for at least 280s imo

however my car has a different servo to yours, pumaspeed told me on the phone that earlier pumas have a better servo than later pumas.....
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#4 User is offline   AndyW 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 11:54 AM

QUOTE (Clawz @ May 8 2007, 12:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
List
Bigger = more heat capacity + braking power

Grooved disks deglaze the pads, but do make them wear faster.


forgive my ignorance, but what does does deglaze mean?
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#5 Guest_darrenspalmer_*


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Posted 08 May 2007 - 12:01 PM

If a pad heats up too much, the surface becomes really shiny due to it being cooked. Shiny surfaces don't grip very well. A grooved disc will "cut" into the glaze before it forms - hence less glazing - better braking.

(I assume)

#6 User is offline   Hansie 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 12:44 PM

It's also a money question. Really good brake conversions including 4/6 pot callipers (Brembo, AP, HiSpec) cost a lot. Using second hand stuff (ST170, Mondeo) makes it much cheaper.
I wouldn't go for the 260 mm upgrade but at least 280mm.
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#7 User is offline   AdamFRP 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 12:49 PM

If you get bored of having money in your account go for an FRP setup 9.gif

Have a nose on Pumabuild's site, they offer conversions.
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#8 User is offline   AndyW 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 01:58 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.

So I guess grooved discs have their advantages and disadvantages then. They do look a lot better though.

I'll give PB and PS a call sometime this week and see what options they can offer me. The only thing is, I don't want 2nd hand or recond parts. I'd prefer to have new, even if it costs a little more. I don't really want to pay anymore than £400. But I think I'll definitely go for 280mm.
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#9 User is offline   amino 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 02:08 PM

you can save a LOT if you get the parts second hand, and im under the impression the conversions done at both garages are with donor parts too,

I got my MKII Focus calipers off ebay, yes they were a tad blackened, but in near perfect condition and had only been on the previous car for a couple of thousand miles.

The best part being they only cost me £26 !!! cool.gif (£20 delivery) still a handsome saving on the £300 odd price tag for conversions.....

This post has been edited by amino: 08 May 2007 - 02:08 PM

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#10 User is offline   shaun 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 02:57 PM

there is no problem with recondition or second hand good condition parts.

my rear disc conversion was second hand and after the bead plaster had its way you could barely tell.

4 pot's will give you great brakes up front but will cost a small fortune.
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130 bhp upgrade and handling that makes the puma feel useless on a corner
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#11 User is offline   Dan 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 03:07 PM

Is there a limit to how good you should make your front brakes before doing something with the rears? E.g. AP Racing on front and std puma drums on rear?

#12 User is offline   AndyW 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 03:20 PM

Don't quote me on this but the majority of the braking is done at the front anyway, and the drums can normally handle the rest.
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#13 User is offline   shaun 

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Posted 08 May 2007 - 04:00 PM

QUOTE (AndyW @ May 8 2007, 04:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Don't quote me on this but the majority of the braking is done at the front anyway, and the drums can normally handle the rest.



i think the drums are more than adaquate at the back, i have focus discs on mine and although i have a lot more confidence in my brakes now i think the massive front brakes are doing most of the work.

although if you have big wheels and big front brakes having drums can look a little out of place.
buy toyota celica GT4. fix puma, again. then sell

130 bhp upgrade and handling that makes the puma feel useless on a corner
now thats money better spent.

#14 User is offline   Hansie 

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Posted 09 May 2007 - 06:52 AM

QUOTE (AndyW @ May 8 2007, 05:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Don't quote me on this but the majority of the braking is done at the front anyway, and the drums can normally handle the rest.

We have HiSpec 310 mm at the front and the drums still on the back. On a track (Nurburgring) you sometimes wished you had discs at the rear (when braking very hard from high speeds), but with the drums still on it works fine for the rest.
We will have a rear disc conversion in the future. Because of the ABS I will wait till a few peeps have sorted it out.

#15 User is offline   BOK 

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Posted 09 May 2007 - 07:28 AM

I've heard a complete 275mm Mondeo ST24 front brake setup (like mine) is about to be advertised on here for a reasonable price...used but definitely in good working order. Should just bolt on by a competant mechanic smile.gif

#16 User is offline   Dan 

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Posted 09 May 2007 - 07:33 AM

Oooh how much do they want?

#17 User is offline   steve18n 

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Posted 09 May 2007 - 12:56 PM

A rear disc conversion gives a noticeable improvement in braking power, and particularly stability. It stops the front end squirming. If you're gonna get serious with the brakes then rear discs are a worthwhile upgrade.

This post has been edited by steve18n: 09 May 2007 - 12:57 PM


#18 User is offline   BOK 

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Posted 09 May 2007 - 05:14 PM

QUOTE (steve18n @ May 9 2007, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It stops the front end squirming.


Checked your front bushes recently? ja_stupid.gif

My Puma doesn't do that and it still has drums on the rear.

#19 User is offline   steve18n 

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Posted 09 May 2007 - 05:38 PM

I have a full Powerflex setup on the front and they are fine, only fitted earlier this year. I'm talking about heavy braking from say 60mph+.

#20 User is offline   Hansie 

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Posted 09 May 2007 - 07:35 PM

QUOTE (steve18n @ May 9 2007, 07:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have a full Powerflex setup on the front and they are fine, only fitted earlier this year. I'm talking about heavy braking from say 60mph+.

That's correct. We noticed that at the Nurburgring (braking on the limit at high speeds). With the HiSpec setup ande EBC red stuff pads we have the braking power of a sports car at the front. We also have a full Powerflex setup and Koni sport suspension kit (coilovers). So the suspension is really up to it, that's not causing the squirming.

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