Today, I receive a call from a maroon X "AeLosporK" for options to upgrade his already modified brake set. Recent interest in braking enhancement and performance has led to considerations for a 2/4/6/8 pot supersize brake kits for both the front and rear. Throughout the conversation, he was switching between converting his current rear G9 option to aerosports option and then upsizing to 2 pot JBT or shifting his current front 4 pot to the rear and upsizing the front to a bigger rotor. Or converting it to the Supra brake set for future upgrade to the TRD brake set. In otherwise, he doesn't know what he wants or why he wants it.
The question is...Is it really safer or better?
Obviously, to improve overall performance, the upsize rotor and caliper is suppose to give you the desired stopping power. The larger rotors increase heat capacity (especially slotted options) and stiffer calipers and stainless steel braided brake hose reduces system compliance. That's the theory part.
However, there is something that a lot of us have not really looked at. That is the front to rear torque ratios. Therefore, whilst we drool over and perhaps blindly install the Endless 6 pot for our front as recommended by WALD, the effects may be the opposite of what we hope for. The upsized brake set adds too much torque and the result is the car loses the tractive capacity of all the tyres to the maximum practical extend (even if we have ABS). As a result, braking performance actually suffers instead of improve.
Also, the additional pistons in 4,6,8 pot brake setup must be correctly sized. Bigger does not always mean better. If they are too large, the brake pedal will become difficult to modulate.
In summary, if we are considering to upsize the brakes for better braking performance, we have to consider how to maintain the factory front-to-rear weight balance. Of course big brake kits are nice and looks fierce, but don't end up paying a high price for looking nice. It's not worth it.
Cheers,
The question is...Is it really safer or better?
Obviously, to improve overall performance, the upsize rotor and caliper is suppose to give you the desired stopping power. The larger rotors increase heat capacity (especially slotted options) and stiffer calipers and stainless steel braided brake hose reduces system compliance. That's the theory part.
However, there is something that a lot of us have not really looked at. That is the front to rear torque ratios. Therefore, whilst we drool over and perhaps blindly install the Endless 6 pot for our front as recommended by WALD, the effects may be the opposite of what we hope for. The upsized brake set adds too much torque and the result is the car loses the tractive capacity of all the tyres to the maximum practical extend (even if we have ABS). As a result, braking performance actually suffers instead of improve.
Also, the additional pistons in 4,6,8 pot brake setup must be correctly sized. Bigger does not always mean better. If they are too large, the brake pedal will become difficult to modulate.
In summary, if we are considering to upsize the brakes for better braking performance, we have to consider how to maintain the factory front-to-rear weight balance. Of course big brake kits are nice and looks fierce, but don't end up paying a high price for looking nice. It's not worth it.
Cheers,
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