BIG Brakes on a small budget

Philm · #1 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 01:28 AM

HI Bejay.
The willwood calipers are not legal as they have the NPT thread for the input port.

NPT thread is not legal for use in brake systems in Australia.

I have had my calipers dissassembled and re-tapped with the correct thread. I had Race brakes do this and they then supplied the flexible lines.

With this modification they still worked out to be about 1/2 the price of a comparable Brembo or AP caliper.

Phil

Aussie Mike · #2 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 02:38 AM

The other legal issue with the Wilwoods is that the pistons have no dust seals. This is the case with quite a few of the race calipers. Many of the big manufacturers have road spec versions of their calipers that include dust seals. Brembo and AP are two of them.

Cheers

Philm · #3 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 05:42 AM

This is the big draw back with the wilwood caliper, they have no dust seals, I am not sure if it is a legal issue or more of a wear out factor, without dust seals you will be replacing pistons way sooner than other calipers.

The caliper I am using is from the Brake up grade pack for the Australian Built GTO. Some companies have marketed them in Australia as upgrades for the Commodore. I bet they didn't disclose that they are actually illegal!!!!

Yes, definitely an after rego addition if using Wilwood. I know of a kit car manuafacturer that supplied Wilwood calipers as there upgrade and car were registered with these calipers

.

When I was looking for brake bits DBA had some 4 piston Brembo calipers going real cheap, they were part of a brake upgrade kit that didn,t sell real well. I am not sure if they are lug mount or radial mount but they would fit a 330 x 28 rotor.

Phil

Beejay · #4 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 06:35 AM

I am thinking that the Jag brakes will do fine for cruising for a while.

They will look poxy with the big wheels I plan to run, but that is OK.

Does anyone know if there are major differences between the Brembos on different production cars?

Ben

Leeroy · #5 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 02:12 AM

Beejay

I am really keen to see Mikes setup and will probably be asking him lots of questions to eventually upgrade to what he has done as I am keen to join a club and get into hillclimb/track stuff.

I have the the standard jag front brakes and fitted some race compound pads for Winton and was really happy with them without any big braking fade after 4 or so laps. (tyres were the biggest fade) So I think you will be more than pleased with what you have. The non power assist setup is something which is quite different for many drivers but I really like the feel it gives you thru your foot.

My advise stick with the jag stuff u have a spend the money on other stuff cos the lots of it

Beejay · #6 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 07:27 AM

What pads Leeroy?

Good to hear that the stock brakes will do me fine for a while.

One of the biggest headaches when building a Cobra is to decide what to spend money on now or later after rego.

Ben

Philm · #7 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 08:17 AM

HI Beejay,

Leeroy is right, the jag brakes with good pads are excellent and with what we do with our cars are more than enough. There are many other areas that would need upgrading before brakes become a problem (driver skill is number 1).

I just did not like the look of the standard size brakes in an "open" style rim. So my brake upgrade was more for looks than looking for better braking. It just got out of hand with one thing leading to another.

Your brakes look good, no need to change them.

Phil