Tom F&L GoR
Enthusiast
Poll - How much interest in this good \"bang for the buck\" brake upgrade?
Howdy. Many of you have seen and commented on the 38mm and 40mm rear brake caliper upgrade using the OEM 36mm caliper.
rear brake upgrade
brake upgrade update
And lots of members are still asking how to improve Viper brakes. So, I have a proposal or question for all of you: how much interest do you all have in being able to purchase assembled 38mm or 40mm rear calipers?
One current brake option is a two wheel caliper and rotor system from a reputable company that has done lots of work to get it right. The front caliper system sizes the pistons smaller to balance the front and rear braking torque (fixing the front lock-up problem.) The rotors in the package are designed to improve heat rejection. The front caliper system (calipers, rotors, brake lines, brake pads) lists for $2295 on their website.
Another option is a rear brake purchase from another one of the reputable companies. This puts a two-piston caliper on the rear to increase the rear brake torque, therefore balancing front to rear braking. But it requires the removal of the OEM brake caliper mounts (no going back) and eliminates the parking brake (state inspection issue?) Adding back a parking brake adds a little weight. This system lists for $880 on their website.
Here is a possible third option: an OEM caliper conversion to 38mm (which matches the piston front-to-rear size ratio of the first vendor) or a 40mm conversion (which just barely may require an adjustable proportioning valve) either for the same price. The plusses are that the converted caliper would obviously work with the OEM rotor or any other rear rotor that already fits; uses OEM brake pad sizes, so you don't have to throw anything away or look for other pads; uses OEM brake hoses; looks absolutely OEM, does not require any changes to the hub or spindle; does not require any special instructions - if you can take the old ones off, you can put the new ones on; uses Brembo dust boots, seals, etc, so you can always rebuild them if needed; and has a modern tapered brake seal groove design for OEM piston retraction and sealing characteristics.
In my track, AX, and street experience, the 40mm is hugely better than the 36mm stock size. Using Valvoline synthetic brake fluid, I've never boiled the front or rear fluid with only minor brake cooling (Porsche deflectors or simple hose ducts.) Ummm... I guess that counts as a testimonial.
On the negative side, the caliper heat rejection rates are the same of the OEM body, so the caliper won't pass heat as well as a larger rear caliper body might. However, since better pads and better rotors are probably the bigger effects on caliper temperature, this might be minor. Also a negative - these calipers look as dull as the day they came off the 1990 vintage Eagle Premier they were taken from.
A few people have taken the plunge and tried a loaner set from me, bought a pair from me, and like Nadine, had their own set made locally. Now with a little experience, the machine shop would love to do more, and I think it's a pretty cool design, too. I am estimating that I could produce conversions to either 38mm or 40mm for under $600 if you supply the calipers and just over $800 if I supply the calipers.
Finally, here's your homework:
Tell me if this sounds like a reasonable price.
Tell me if you think the caliper design idea is good, safe, risky, or whatever.
Ask me questions that I can ask PVO - I'm going to the PVO-VCA AX in Chelsea this weekend and I'll see if they can provide some input.
Depending on what everyone says, maybe I'll give this a try. After October 9 (this date would be a clue to those in the oil biz) I'll be unemployed and looking for a "working" vacation. Email me, PM me, or post and I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PS Many thanks that I can't yet repay to Nadine. Her work on her caliper conversion made this go from a one or two-off concept to a production quality piece.
Howdy. Many of you have seen and commented on the 38mm and 40mm rear brake caliper upgrade using the OEM 36mm caliper.
rear brake upgrade
brake upgrade update
And lots of members are still asking how to improve Viper brakes. So, I have a proposal or question for all of you: how much interest do you all have in being able to purchase assembled 38mm or 40mm rear calipers?
One current brake option is a two wheel caliper and rotor system from a reputable company that has done lots of work to get it right. The front caliper system sizes the pistons smaller to balance the front and rear braking torque (fixing the front lock-up problem.) The rotors in the package are designed to improve heat rejection. The front caliper system (calipers, rotors, brake lines, brake pads) lists for $2295 on their website.
Another option is a rear brake purchase from another one of the reputable companies. This puts a two-piston caliper on the rear to increase the rear brake torque, therefore balancing front to rear braking. But it requires the removal of the OEM brake caliper mounts (no going back) and eliminates the parking brake (state inspection issue?) Adding back a parking brake adds a little weight. This system lists for $880 on their website.
Here is a possible third option: an OEM caliper conversion to 38mm (which matches the piston front-to-rear size ratio of the first vendor) or a 40mm conversion (which just barely may require an adjustable proportioning valve) either for the same price. The plusses are that the converted caliper would obviously work with the OEM rotor or any other rear rotor that already fits; uses OEM brake pad sizes, so you don't have to throw anything away or look for other pads; uses OEM brake hoses; looks absolutely OEM, does not require any changes to the hub or spindle; does not require any special instructions - if you can take the old ones off, you can put the new ones on; uses Brembo dust boots, seals, etc, so you can always rebuild them if needed; and has a modern tapered brake seal groove design for OEM piston retraction and sealing characteristics.
In my track, AX, and street experience, the 40mm is hugely better than the 36mm stock size. Using Valvoline synthetic brake fluid, I've never boiled the front or rear fluid with only minor brake cooling (Porsche deflectors or simple hose ducts.) Ummm... I guess that counts as a testimonial.
On the negative side, the caliper heat rejection rates are the same of the OEM body, so the caliper won't pass heat as well as a larger rear caliper body might. However, since better pads and better rotors are probably the bigger effects on caliper temperature, this might be minor. Also a negative - these calipers look as dull as the day they came off the 1990 vintage Eagle Premier they were taken from.
A few people have taken the plunge and tried a loaner set from me, bought a pair from me, and like Nadine, had their own set made locally. Now with a little experience, the machine shop would love to do more, and I think it's a pretty cool design, too. I am estimating that I could produce conversions to either 38mm or 40mm for under $600 if you supply the calipers and just over $800 if I supply the calipers.
Finally, here's your homework:
Tell me if this sounds like a reasonable price.
Tell me if you think the caliper design idea is good, safe, risky, or whatever.
Ask me questions that I can ask PVO - I'm going to the PVO-VCA AX in Chelsea this weekend and I'll see if they can provide some input.
Depending on what everyone says, maybe I'll give this a try. After October 9 (this date would be a clue to those in the oil biz) I'll be unemployed and looking for a "working" vacation. Email me, PM me, or post and I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PS Many thanks that I can't yet repay to Nadine. Her work on her caliper conversion made this go from a one or two-off concept to a production quality piece.
