BA Falcon Brake Options

[HoonBoy]

The front rotors on the BA XR8 are looking a bit scored and I wouldn't mind a bit of an improvement in the braking department so I am looking for a mild upgrade. Keep in mind that this is the tow car, not the track car!

I haven't found any caliper/rotor upgrades for less then $2,500 and that is way more then I am willing to spend, so I am looking at some DBA Slotted rotors and Bendix Ultimate pads for the front (rear to be done at a later date as they don't appear to be worn at all). Are there any other options I should be looking at?

[edo]

I have some big uns...but they cost much more than $2k. I think basically that if you are going to upgrade then you might as well make it worthwhile. If it helps I have 355mm 2 piece rotors with CSC 4 spot calipers on the front, 345mm 2 piece rotors on the rear with smaller CSC 4 spots.

I think they do a 4 spot 345mm rotor kit for the front but I have no clue on cost.

[HoonBoy]

Anything that involves bigger rotors or calipers is out of the running at the moment, besides being much more then I want to spend, I would have to find another insurance company as well...

So it is down to replacment pads and rotors better then what Ford supplies.

[Grumpy Rooster]

Jamie.

I'm sure that Peter's XR6T has upgraded brakes. Maybe speak to Joe and find out.

[HoonBoy]

repeat after me, " I am not going to modify this car. I am not going to modify this car. I am not going to modify this car".....

But it does need an oil cooler for the gearbox. :D

[HoonBoy]

Are the PBR "sports" calipers any better then standard? They appear to be painted versions of the standard calipers to me.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FALCON-BA-FRONT-PERFORMANCE-BRAKE-KIT-XR6-XR8_W0QQitemZ260055063879QQihZ016QQcategoryZ32552Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[dattoman1000]

Painted standard caliper

[Glenno]

BA GT V8's had factory Brembos IIRC

[HoonBoy]

I've been keeping an eye out for the factory option big brakes, but I find it hard to trust second hand brake stuff without rebuilding it and they aren't cheap enough to buy the calipers, rebuild them and replace the pads/rotors. Plus I like my cheap insurance at the moment and the big brakes could change that :(

[Chris XR6]

There is a thread on forxr6turbo.com one of the sponsors there have factory front brembo setups for sale

[dattoman1000]

Insurance companies don't mind upgraded brakes if they are well done
As the factory stuff is factory it won't be a drama
PBR aftermarket kits have ADR complaince as they supplied the gen stuff to Fud anyway
Some aftermarket AP kits also have ADR31

[HoonBoy]

There is no problem with getting insurance, but it ups the number of modifications (intake, exhaust and chip, although exhaust is the mod completed yet...) and they want an extra $500 a year for it then :(

Unless I find something better, it will be DBA slotted and Bendix Ultimates.

[dattoman1000]

Ask them
Most of the time they don't count brakes as a modification

[HoonBoy]

I spoke to them and then had to convince them that I hadn't done it already!

[Chris XR6]

Insurers have previously been impressed with my barake mods assuming all is legit! no problems all I had to do was provide of engineers cert or cert of adr compliance

[HoonBoy]

I rang again, if it's the factory stuff they don't care. If it't the modified stuff they only care if its legal or increases the value of the car. Maybe I can ring tomorrow and get a third answer?

It has got me thinking about this upgrade http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170052534310&fromMakeTrack=true

[Chris XR6]

I rang again, if it's the factory stuff they don't care. If it't the modified stuff they only care if its legal or increases the value of the car. Maybe I can ring tomorrow and get a third answer?

It has got me thinking about this upgrade http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170052534310&fromMakeTrack=true

Mate if you buy that i wouldn't even bother mentioning the chnage to your insurer, they are one hundred percent legal original or not

[edo]

If its easier there are much much better pads around than ultimates...that might solve 3/4 of your dramas.
Oh, decent pads are hard to get for the factory brembos...no idea why.

[HoonBoy]

If its easier there are much much better pads around than ultimates...that might solve 3/4 of your dramas.

Any suggestions :)

[HoonBoy]

For comparison, DBA slotted and ultimates is $400, DBA 4000 and ultimates is $460.

[dattoman1000]

Oh, decent pads are hard to get for the factory brembos...no idea why.

Easy
How many sets would you like

They are "hard to get" since they were only fitted to one particular vehicle in a strange little country south of the equator

However
The same front pad is used on a few Jags and its similar but not the same as EVO and STI with Brembos
The rear pad also suits Jag Lotus and some Alfas
So if you know what to look for they are easy to find

Infact Bendix even list them in their latest catalogue and so too does Ferodo
I know this cause I edited/proof read them both for them (and they still got alot wrong!)

[Southo]

I run DBA4000 series BA Rotors on my Cressida - fitted with R32 GT-R calipers

they work really well - no major complaints..

[RBMATT]

For comparison, DBA slotted and ultimates is $400, DBA 4000 and ultimates is $460.
DBA Slotted and ultimate's $370..
DBA 4000sl/sr and Ferodo TS2000 for $495.00 is the most common package sold as they have lower rotor wear and dust compared to ultimates and can handle better temps.

[HoonBoy]

DBA Slotted and ultimate's $370..
DBA 4000sl/sr and Ferodo TS2000 for $495.00 is the most common package sold as they have lower rotor wear and dust compared to ultimates and can handle better temps.

Where are you getting these prices from? I got prices from three different places and the ones I posted were the cheapest, dearest was $150 more!

[RBMATT]

Ring Race Brakes Sydney on 02 9609 1101 they will help you.

[Dexter]

The EL Tickford 330mm kit may be an option. It used a Mustang twin piston caliper made by PBR. A decent brake place should be able to get you a new set of Mustang calipers and 330mm rotors for a reasonable price. No where near the price of a bling kit.

[HoonBoy]

I ended up going with the DBA 4000 series and Ultimates, I'm still waiting for Race Brakes to get back to me, two days is more then enough time for me... Prices may be $35 cheaper then listed above depending on the pads as apparently there are two different types listed.

I couldn't justify the extra expense of the bigger rotors when I haven't pushed the standard rotors to the limit and never intend on doing so. The hardest workout they will get is towing. If it wasn't for the rotors being scored, they wouldn't be getting replaced at all.

[RBMATT]

I hope the combination you fitted works fine for you.

[tandy ass]

The EL Tickford 330mm kit may be an option. It used a Mustang twin piston caliper made by PBR. A decent brake place should be able to get you a new set of Mustang calipers and 330mm rotors for a reasonable price. No where near the price of a bling kit.

Tell me more, how does this EL kit fit on the AU+ series when the front hubs are quite different?

Also, are they a suitable upgrade for an EL with standard shit brakes? How much?

[dattoman1000]

Anything EA to AU1 is a bastard to fit anything to due to the stupid design of the stub axles


Nothing is ever easy

[HoonBoy]

I've had the combo fitted for about a week and 700ish km so far (its been a busy week!) Firstly, it fixed the issue of the brakes pulling side to side which is the main reason I looked at them and saw lots of scoring on the rotors. Secondly, they give a much better feel, especially under medium level stopping, such as lights turning red just in front of you. I haven't given them an extreme workout or towed the trailer with them yet, so I will have to see how that goes later on.

The downside, the wheels are already completely covered in dust :(