Upgrade the discs? Options?

[Atik]

Hey all,

Finally I've been paid for August, halfway through the following month!!!
Anyway, now that the money has come through, I wanna get the front brakes upgraded asap.

I have had a chat with Ian at Exact Engineering for some braided lines, I'll be placing an order for some Carbotech XP8 pads with Ian (thetyrant), I'll be getting some ATE Super Blue brake fluid (I think from Performance Oils), but was wondering if the standard discs need upgrading too? They are in pretty good condition, with VERY little wear over the surface/edges. I know we have a deal with Conceptua for some EBC discs, but was thinking if I didnt have to, I would prefer to save the money.

What do people reckon? Would the discs hold up to the new pads, lines and fluid? Or should I just go the whole hog and change the discs too? My only experience of fast cars/big brakes is MY own VR4 and Nick's VR4, but he has Brembos and they squeak like a bastid! Nick. I wanna avoid the squeaking at all costs please!

If I'm going for the upgraded discs, apart from the EBC ones from Conceptua, where else can I look for decent discs at a decent price?

Searches have pulled up Black Diamond discs and Mintex discs that people recommend or have positive comments about. Are they any better/worse than the EBC ones? Plus they will hit the wallet a little more compared to the current Conceptua deal. I must admit though, the Black Diamond discs look so sexeh!

Also, while on subject, would I need to change calipers or anything like that, to accommodate the new changes? Mine are standard at the moment, and dont look particularly good through the wheels, but they are doing their jobs!

Any advice or pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Atik

[I-S]

I had problems with black diamond discs. Don't recommend them. They don't look any different to any other disc also.

[Atik]

I had problems with black diamond discs. Don't recommend them.

Noted. What sort of problems did you get Isaac?

They don't look any different to any other disc also.

I think they do. Black discs in place of silver discs?

[Nick Mann]

IIRC the blackness wears off with use.

What does Ian (the tyrant) suggest for use with his pads? I'd be tempted to use cheap grooved discs. In my humble and possibly misguided opinion, the pads count for a lot more than the discs.

I'd ask http://www.crnproducts.co.uk for a quote - we have some of their grooved discs on Vickys 206 and they seem to be very good value. They can coat them to prevent rust too!

Oh, and you mentioned asking me to fit it all, if that is still the case then you don't need to buy the Super Blue - I have some here already.

[Throbbe]

What does Ian (the tyrant) suggest for use with his pads? I'd be tempted to use cheap grooved discs. In my humble and possibly misguided opinion, the pads count for a lot more than the discs.

Funnily enough, I had that conversation with Ian a while back and he concurred. Throbbemobile is running Panther+ pads (not likely to track it for a while, so more civilised choice than xp8's) and stock disks from Camskill.

Instead of grooved disks, I just do the cleaning procedure every now and then (hard braking at one minute intervals, building up speed as you go until you're breaking from, ahem, 70-ish. Allow to fully cool).

[I-S]

Noted. What sort of problems did you get Isaac?

The discs rattled when going over bumps, no matter how tight the wheel nuts were done up. Someone else had this problem with BD discs also.

Then, something very strange happened with the material of the disc - it went rough in one patch of the disc, which caused very bad brake vibrations.

http://www.askisaac.com/images/disc1.jpg

I think they do. Black discs in place of silver discs?

That lasts for about 20 minutes. It's just a coating which comes off as soon as you use the disc.

[Atik]

Oh, and you mentioned asking me to fit it all, if that is still the case then you don't need to buy the Super Blue - I have some here already.

Cheers Nick, yep, still the case. BTW, how much will I need? Cost?

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Will give Ian a ring now, to order XP8s and find out if stock discs are good enough...

[Nick Mann]

You have PM.

Incidentally, 40 grooves are £149.99 from CRN for the front pair. silver/gold/black coating is £9.99 on top.

I'd phone them for a deal as you sometimes get better deals on ebay than that for the same products from the same supplier.

[Atik]

Excellent...

XP8 pads ordered from Ian (the tyrant) - due next week. Thanks Ian
Braided lines ordered from Exact Engineering - due tomorrow!!! Thanks James
Fitter arranged (date/time TBC) - Thanks Nick
ATE Super Blue arranged - Thanks Nick

To confirm, I had a chat with Ian (the tyrant) and he assured me that the XP8 pads would be ok to use with stock brake discs, as long as they were not damaged or worn down too much. So I think I will leave the discs out at this point, and just change the items listed above. Hopefully the improvements from stock will be more than enough for me.

[orionn2o]

i'm personally using nitrac heat treated disks with my xp8's.. To be honest they are the only disks i've owned (so far) that havent warped after a few harsh braking sessions.

The cost was reasonable too I think, around 200 quid. I too got the black coating but obviously it doesnt last long!

[martin_y]

Need to do something soon, too.

if I drive in the wet, the brakes do NOTHING for about a second when I put the pedal down. I mean there's pressure, but no braking effect at all - very scary !

[bradc]

You could just search for the discs that EVO 4 guys use as they are the same. I'm sure there will be some recommendations on MLR

[Nevman]

Atik, if you consider the use of EBC Turbo Groove discs (very pleased with them together with red stuff for very good price) look here:
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32337
I'm sure another group buy may be arranged if enough people are interested.

[bradc]

The EBC discs aren't bad at all from what I understand

[Nevman]

Brad, I have got them for around month and done around 300 miles and can't say a bad word about them.
The only other thing I need (except going for £££ Brembo option) is the braided hoses.
Atik, can you PM me more info about the braided hoses you've bought?

Does anyone knows if they are the same for pre- and facelift?

[Nick Mann]

Hoses never changed, all standard VR4s have the same hoses.

[Nevman]

Cheers Nick,
Can I have more info please Atik?

One more question, do you have to change all four or just fronts (hoses)

[ianturbo]

i have the BD discs on mine and they have been fine ! no probs ,and they do look good !!
ian

[ianb]

I have rossini discs from car parts direct, they are fine, but expensive if I remember correctly.
Ian

[Atik]

Atik, if you consider the use of EBC Turbo Groove discs (very pleased with them together with red stuff for very good price) look here:
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32337
I'm sure another group buy may be arranged if enough people are interested.

I was considering ordering a set of EBC discs from there, in fact Wayne is looking into it now about placing another order.

But, I've been assured that the standard discs will be ok to use, I may opt out from the discs for the time being and make the other improvements and see how that goes. I'll decide over the next week.

If I've been reading and absorbing the info correctly Marcin, when changing the front brake lines, you have to bleed the brakes anyway, which means you need to bleed all 4 wheels. So as per my PM, the set of braided lines will require changing all 4 wheel brake lines and fluid. If that is wrong, I apologise now, but someone may be along to confirm/correct me.

Either way, Nick is fitting mine for me so I have a VR4 'professional', rather than a local mechanic or even a local newbie VR4 owner (me!) messing around with probably the most important bit of kit on the car.