I Need Brakes!

[John-]

Hey all, I have an 04 4spd auto xr6t BA and I looooveeee it. :D:D

Im getting it tuned in a couple of weeks and wanting to upgrade the brakes before I do.

Ive noticed that the stock brakes are to crap to stop the car as is compared to getting it tuned lol.

Also, Latley when ever I use the brakes the care will tend to pull to a certain way and squeakny noises come from brakes more and more at each day goes by. Im guessing the rotors need a machining that's why its pulling and the pads need replacing also.

So im opting for new brakes.

Ive being thinking about the dpa4000's?? Ill have around the 260rwkw after tune and at most 350rwkw in the future. Would DPA's accomidate to my needs?

And can I just replace the front brakes? Or do I need to replace the back bakes to? Could someone explain to me how brakes work also? Like when you brake does it stop all 4 wheels or just back? And handbrake is just back or what? I no its a stuipd question but I would like some light shed on it for me

Cause ive grown up driving front wheel drive cars and brakes just stop the front wheels nothing on the back except for handbrake just wondering if its the same concept or what the go is? And roughly were is the best place and price for DPAS Thanx aheap in advance guys :D:D

John.

[Benny]

John,

If you don't want to spend big dollars and don't drive your car every second weekend at the track then I think a set of DBA4000's, ferodo pads and fluid change would be a great cost effective option for your car and it's power. I just did a track day at Wakefield and had no troubles with fade doing 3 8 lap sessions. Very happy with my setup and works great on the street. All up was about $1200 supply only from Matt at Race Brakes Sydney. You can replace just the front only that's not a problem at all.

Now as for the operation of your brakes when you push your foot on the pedal the brake fluid is compressed via the master cylinder and directed to each caliper front and rear. The caliper then clamps onto the rotor which then uses friction via the pads to slow you down. Now the amount of clamping pressure can be different from front to rear and this is called brake bias. This is set from factory and cannot be changed without modifying your cars brake system. The reason behind brake bias is due to your front brakes doing approx 70% of the braking effort and needing more clamping pressure to stop. If you had the same pressure running to the rears you would find you'd lock up the rear wheels quite often.

The hand brake operates in a different way using a cable attached to your hand brake handle which runs to your back wheels only and operates brake shoes hidden internally within your rear brake rotors. These are seperate to your brake calipers and operate completely indepentantly.

As far as I know all late model cars are fitted with front and rear barkes including front wheel drive cars.

Hope this helps.

Benny

Edited 17/04/09 03:56 AM by Benny

[ravenhard]

dpa4000's??

new brand are they? most people use DBA4000. Do a search there is about a million threads on the subject. DBAs and a good pad should be enough for average street driving.

And can I just replace the front brakes?

yes you can, although I would check how much life is left in the rears.

Like when you brake does it stop all 4 wheels or just back?

Cause ive grown up driving front wheel drive cars and brakes just stop the front wheels nothing on the back except for handbrake

your kidding right. All 4 brakes are always applied doesnt matter if your car is fwd, rwd or awd. The bias is alwasy towards the fronts but rears are also important.

And roughly were is the best place and price for DPAS

might help to know what city/state you are in

[John-]

Thanx for the reply guys, To save on costs, I could just upgrade the fronts correct? ANd this would make me stop a hell of alot better correct?

And I think my rotors need machining because it is pulling alot, So if I buy some DBA's 2nd hand all I need is the rotor and calliper? I can use the old brake lines?

John.

[Benny]

Just the fronts will be fine I'd say for what you want.

Just go out and buy some DBA 4000 series slotted rotors for the front, $245 ea. Some front pads for around $270 and that's it. Nothing more needed really. No need to machine rotors or brake lines just fit to car and enjoy. This will make quite a good difference to your fade resistance and stop any shudder.

Benny

Edited 18/04/09 05:25 AM by Benny

[John-]

so I keep the stock calipers?

[Guest]

Most guys opt for something like a Brembo 4 piston front kit when they start pushing power into the 300rwkw zone, it's reassuring to know that if you bury the right foot or get alittle over enthusiastic that you can still pull the thing up. It's almost laughable to see guys running 300-400rwkw cars on stock brakes .

[John-]

if I keep the stockie callipers, get good new pads and dba 4000 rotors, will I stop a hell of a lot better? do I need all 4 rotors or just front 2?? OR what what should I get lol. without spending 2k.,

[Benny]

Just keep your standard calipers and get 2 new front rotors with pads. I think that will be great for what you need.

Benny

[our06t]

yep

2 front rotors and ferodo pads here , stops 300 rwkw repeatedly no worries