Is it worth it?

[iamfrank]

I'm thinking about upgrading my brakes, initially I'd like to stick with a 15" rim though.

I was thinking about two discs in particular, the 288mm disc from an Audi A3 1.8 Turbo and the 280mm disc from an A3 1.8.

These offer a 30mm and 22mm increase in diameter and 2mm and 5mm increase in thickness respectively over the 258x20mm Supra disc. Would this be a big enough increase to warrant an upgrade, some people have said it would, and some people have said it wouldn't.

As a side note, what calipers would be suitable for rims of these thicknesses? I'm thinking factory calipers for $ sake, but it seems to jump from like 22mm width for the RX7 calipers to 28-30mm for the Nissan ones. Any ideas?

[iamfrank]

Also, would the 283mmx26mm Peugeot 406 rotor be a good option also?

[dbasteve]

Either Audi disc would give you better braking purely because of the extra thickness. This would make the rotor more stable under heavy braking as they can handle a lot more heat.

Another option for the 25mm thick rotor is the Subaru 2 piston caliper or a late model Camry caliper.

[iamfrank]

Okay, so all those discs are a goer, particularily the Peugeot disc as there is SFA room for a disc with large overall height.

Are the 2-piston Subaru calipers likely to be much/any better than the big single piston caliper from my car in the first place?

Are there any decent pads available for them? I know there is EBC Greenstuff available for my calipers, and someone I knew of spoke highly about them in combination with some DBA slotted rotors.

[dbasteve]

For a slider the Subaru 2 pots are quite good. They piss all over most other sliders. The pad selection for these calipers range from Ferodo racing, Pagid, EBC, Endless, Bendix, Formula Ferodo, Mintex, and just about any other name brand pad. You will get better pressure distribution with more pistons. Single pots are a crime against civilisation.

EBC greens have given mixed results with our rotors in the past. Either they go very well or very bad which depends a lot on driving style and how well they are bedded in initially.

[iamfrank]

Would the Subaru caliper fit over a 26mm disc? Or would I have to look elsewhere?

Also, if single piston calipers are the work of the devil...why on earth does the BMW M3 use them?

[dbasteve]

BMW spent all their allowance on the body kit.:D
Some of the M3's do have brake problems but the comment is only my personal opinion. The better the distribution of pressure the less chance you have of pad/rotor wear problems.

I've fitted a 295mm x 26mm rotor in the Subaru caliper without modifications.

[iamfrank]

Hehe, fair enough.

This is a question for you, say the 25mm thick Audi rotor does fit, what would you choose, that, or the Peugeot rotor which is 26mm thick, but 5mm smaller in diameter?

Do you have the RRP for DBA802 and DBA227, because 227 isn't listed on Autospeed where I usually check...

[dbasteve]

I checked these two out. The DBA 277 Peugeot disc has never been stocked ( New entry) so you would have to go genuine for that at the moment. The DBA 802 is O.K.

Another option is a flat disc we make for mounting an aluminium hat which is 280mm x 26mm. This way you could have a simple hat made up exactly to your requirements and the rotor is a readily stocked product. The number is DBA 7850 which is for the U.S market and local Lotus racing vehicles.

Dattoman can help with prices on this one.


To answer you question about different diameters and thickness; If the overall mass is similar they will absorb the same amount of heat giving a similar operating temperature. The bigger the diameter the more torque and shorter stopping distance but 5mm wont do much at all.

[iamfrank]

How long do you forsee before you guys will start making the Peugeot rotor?

Its going to be a little while before I do it, but brakes is probably one of the first things I want to do.