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The "need" came up after about 20 minutes of one of my sessions at VIR. Driving slower wasn't an acceptable option, and I was already pressing the middle pedal as hard as possible. That's why I've decided I need more brake.

Car & Driver did an extensive test of braking systems of a variety of different cars about a year ago, and as I recall, not many of the typical aftermarket add-ons, such as different pads, actually did much to shorten stopping distances. I'm going strictly on memory, though. But the point of the article was that to improve the stopping power of the car, you really have to impact the physics of converting kinetic to thermal energy as efficiently as possible, and then dissipating it rapidly, which really means increasing the swept area of the brakes, which means larger rotors. Although I don't doubt that you'd see some improvement in braking performance from replacing a worn-out set of pads with new, top quality ones.

Another option is significant weight loss.

My wife has been after me for years to do some significant weight loss - but I don't think that will have much impact on the car's handling/braking.



As for accomplishing significant weight loss in the car itself, I'm afraid I have to leave that to Flash. The primary use of my car has been, and I expect will continue to be, street so I don't think there's a lot that I can do and keep the needed level of comfort.



So, I think we come down to the brake system - pads, calipers, rotors. Despite what the article said, I can testify to a tremendous difference in braking performance with the change from the Mintex pads to the Porterfield. However, to get more, I think the comment that swept area has to be addressed is correct. That's what I'm going to be looking at.

Big Blacks or Reds. You'll quickly exceed the grip of your street tires with those suckers! Go with one or the other, then go back to lighter weight 17" wheels if you can to save on a little weight and tire money.



The slope, my friend, appears to be morphing into a freefall!

<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



As long as I don't feel the need for more power, I should stay within some measure of reasonable limits.



I'm going to try the route of Big Blacks.

i should have some info next week on an alternative



i agree about the pads making a significant difference - first stop braking may only have been a few feet shorter, but tenth stop braking was a LOT better

OK - standing by for the next Flash improvement



...unless I can get some Big Blacks I've located for a really good price.

i know i can get it done - just a question of how much money, how long, and how much improvement



film at 11

Have no fear - I'm not doubting at all that you can get it done.



What I don't know, though, is how much, how long, and how much improvement.



The Big Blacks are a known item, for which I'm pretty sure I know how much, how long, and how much improvement. So, if I can get these calipers cheap enough (the ones I'm looking at must be rebuilt), I'll move forward. If not, I'll wait for who knows how long to spend who knows how much to get who knows how much improvement.



Phew.

no worries - do what you need to



i'll move along because i want them for myself - i am confident that i can make them to satisfy myself, but depending on how much it costs, it might not be right for anybody else, and until i actually test them, no matter how much math i do, i won't be sure as to how much improvement there is

I fully understand.

Tell us more Bob!



Aluminum hats? Aluminum calipers? What gives?!

lol - gotta wait a bit - i'm working on just how much i can get in there - i have a couple of different scenarios, and until i dive fully into this next week, i don't really want to get discussions going - in a perfect world i will have a couple of different setups from which to choose, upgrading in stages



let me get her up in the air and start measuring and meeting with machinists and see where i end up

You're such a tease! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

lol - ain't i just?



nah - it's just that way too many conversations get started that end up in me spending a lot of time either explaining why i am doing something, or to somebody why i can't or don't want to do something somebody else wants, and it ends up muddying the waters enough to detract from the potentials a given item might have (remember the supercharger?)



suffice it to say that i want more brakes too, not because i need them, but merely because i want them - but i won't do it at the expense of more weight - that's backwards - the fact is that i would be happy with the same size rotors and the same calipers, if it meant less weight, which would by definition mean more braking



but more is always better too..............



lol - and that's about all i'm gonna say about it until i have my meetings

I miss having the big blacks.... But I would definitely like less unsprung weight.



I am sure your efforts will result in a positive application - I have little to no doubt!



Do I remember the supercharger?! How could I forget!!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Slightly OT- any update on the SSK?

got sidelined on that - trying to find a particular part



just dove back into it this afternoon - been dealing with some odd gremlins over the last couple of days, and ayn has been home sick since tuesday



i think i have a line on the part i am looking for, and that will put me into high gear on that

You, as the kids say, are DA MAN!



I'll repeat what I said many moons ago.... I wish I had 1/10th of your drive!

I know that feeling.