Early Commodores VB - VL

[slick]

Following on from thread in suspension & handling forum...

quote:
Originally posted by T-BONE

dbasteve, what is the biggest baddest set of DBA rotors I can fit on a VL Commodore with 17" rims? I want to use this for serious racing and road use. Also will AP racing 6 piston calipers go well with the rotors too?

quote:
Originally posted by dbasteve

The best option is a DBA 019 VP HSV rotor 330mm x 28mm. This is a hub type rotor which fits straight on your VL with 17"s.
The ideal caliper would be an AP Racing CP5570 series which suits a 28mm rotor.

I am wondering for future reference value. If using the 019s, would you use the VP mounting bracket for the 4 spots that the HSVs ran? Or would the VL Turbo [L stamped] brackets be up to the task of mounting the HSV / AP racing callipers mentioned above?

Are the AP Racing CP5570 series a 4/6 piston [pot] calliper?

Also while on the topic of early commodore's. How possible is it to replace the rear discs with the 020s from the VP HSV as well? Would you need new/different handbrake drum pads, master cylinder, etc.


Just a thought if you're going to replace the fronts may as well replace the rears too...

[Shifty]

Just to clarify - the DBA 019 rotors are a hub type that will bolt STRAIGHT onto a VL Turbo? Would this be running factory bearings? Or the VP bearing? And if the VP bearing, that will just fit up to the VL stub?

Following that.. re-asking a question by slick... I would be interested to know if adapters would be available for such a conversion. Most places don't know a thing and reckon a $75 set of Bendix pads are the bee's knees as far as brake upgrades go.

As also posted by slick - I am very interested in rear upgrade options to suit a VL turbo, but practically everyone I've spoken to has put this in the 'too hard' basket.

Any idea on RRP for the VP rotors? The AP calipers? And mounting costs?

[dbasteve]

Originally posted by slick
Following on from thread in suspension & handling forum...





I am wondering for future reference value. If using the 019s, would you use the VP mounting bracket for the 4 spots that the HSVs ran? Or would the VL Turbo [L stamped] brackets be up to the task of mounting the HSV / AP racing callipers mentioned above?

Are the AP Racing CP5570 series a 4/6 piston [pot] calliper?

Also while on the topic of early commodore's. How possible is it to replace the rear discs with the 020s from the VP HSV as well? Would you need new/different handbrake drum pads, master cylinder, etc.


Just a thought if you're going to replace the fronts may as well replace the rears too...

To run 019's you would need the VP HSV callipers and brackets. The oversize VL brackets will only do the 290mm x 22mm rotor.
The ideal situation is to upgrade both front and rears to maintain a balanced braking system. For street use it isn't quite as important as for the track.
You may find that a VT calliper could be used with a suitable bracket

[dbasteve]

Originally posted by Shifty
Just to clarify - the DBA 019 rotors are a hub type that will bolt STRAIGHT onto a VL Turbo? Would this be running factory bearings? Or the VP bearing? And if the VP bearing, that will just fit up to the VL stub?

Following that.. re-asking a question by slick... I would be interested to know if adapters would be available for such a conversion. Most places don't know a thing and reckon a $75 set of Bendix pads are the bee's knees as far as brake upgrades go.

As also posted by slick - I am very interested in rear upgrade options to suit a VL turbo, but practically everyone I've spoken to has put this in the 'too hard' basket.

Any idea on RRP for the VP rotors? The AP calipers? And mounting costs?

Yes the 019's are a straight bolt on. Bearings are the same, unless your mechanic has the very special ones ( that come out of the same box ) for an extra $20

Some Brake specialists do make these brackets and sell them as kits with the rotors and calipers.

The main purpose of changing to larger rotors is to reduce heat generation no stopping distances. A V8 or a Ute with standard brakes are a classic candidate or a track car.

[T-BONE]

Originally posted by dbasteve

Yes they do come in slotted.
The problem you would have in going to a full racing setup is that your stub axle is set up for hub type rotors ( integral bearings).
If you wanted to go all the way you would have set up your struts to take steel hubs and hat type rotors like the VS/VT.
If you did this then the skies the limit for options.

Quite a lot of the older Tickford touring cars have steel hubs made for them so they can use Mustang hat type rotors.


How much trouble is it to convert my stub axle to accept VS/VT hat type rotors? Is there a lot of machining involved?

Once I do this conversion, what sort of brake setup could I get for $4 - $5k? Would you recommend, AP Racing, Brembo, Wilwood? Would you still use DBA Rotors?

I'm just trying to get an idea of the scope of differences between manufacturers and possible setups. For instance I was looking on the AP Racing site at their calipers and they have watercooled ones, aluminium, titanium. There are also calipers for the V8 Supercars, would they be applicable on my car, or are they specifically to conform to the V8 supercar governing body standards?

The AP Racing rotors you recommend to me they are the road version, are there any better ones to use in the other AP segments, e.g. ones that don't flex as much, material makeup?

There are so many options its mind boggling. I just want a brake system that will stop on a dime, reduce unsprung weight, not fade, cop an absolute flogging on the racetrack and then turn around and use them on the road.

[Shifty]

I believe that a number of places do VT conversions, but most will only sell them as a kit, not just the conversion hubs separately. Expect to pay about $650ish for a kit including VT calipers, adapter, DBA std rotors.

[dbasteve]

Originally posted by T-BONE


How much trouble is it to convert my stub axle to accept VS/VT hat type rotors? Is there a lot of machining involved?

Once I do this conversion, what sort of brake setup could I get for $4 - $5k? Would you recommend, AP Racing, Brembo, Wilwood? Would you still use DBA Rotors?

I'm just trying to get an idea of the scope of differences between manufacturers and possible setups. For instance I was looking on the AP Racing site at their calipers and they have watercooled ones, aluminium, titanium. There are also calipers for the V8 Supercars, would they be applicable on my car, or are they specifically to conform to the V8 supercar governing body standards?

The AP Racing rotors you recommend to me they are the road version, are there any better ones to use in the other AP segments, e.g. ones that don't flex as much, material makeup?

There are so many options its mind boggling. I just want a brake system that will stop on a dime, reduce unsprung weight, not fade, cop an absolute flogging on the racetrack and then turn around and use them on the road.

If you are going to use the calipers on both road and track you should opt for the road seal version to save on rebuilds. The ideal caliper would be an AP CP5555 series. ( 6 piston)
The rotor size is dependant on your wheels of course. Common setups use 362mm, 375mm, and 381mm diameter rotors.
Workshops like Race Brakes ( Syd/Melb), SBC, Barrie Smith use either DBA or AP discs for the rotor kits.
These DBA rotors are not listed items and are only available through certain performance workshops.
AP make different versions of the same size rotor for unique applications. Don't buy an ultra light sprint rotor for endurance or street. You're better off with a rotor with an 8mm pad thickness that can handle all situations. As for the hat mounting on a large diameter disc, a direct bolt system is good for the street and a full floating system is ideal for track. So there needs to be a compromise there to.