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Is there any advantage to one front caliper over the other considering they both use the same pads.
My experieince has only been with the ATE’s.
It appears one advantage may be no need for the bronze guide bushings, but there must be some other trade-off.
Chris
m3donnelly wrote:
[quote]Is there any advantage to one front caliper over the other considering they both use the same pads.
My experieince has only been with the ATE’s.
It appears one advantage may be no need for the bronze guide bushings, but there must be some other trade-off.
Chris[/quote]
Chris:
If you’re referring to a Spec E30 project, bronze guide bushings are not included in the Spec E30 Rules. But I’m really making a point to the group. If it isn’t specifically allowed in the rules, it must be left as it came from the factory.
And we’ve had good, even brake pad wear on all the cars so not having the bronze bushings hasn’t been a problem.
Carter
Chris,
I’ve used both calipers (on different cars) and they are identical in performance. Run what your car brung - and keep it simple.
If I wanted to "upgrade" for non-SpecE30 use, I’d go with Stoptechs…mmmm…4-piston calipers…
-Vic
SO #325
Carter, after two years of running the rears without the clips, I had a set of pads twist on me at Road Atlanta. Let’s take a look at the solid bushings as the year progresses. If you have time, give me a call 800-755-1715. Regards, Robert Patton
victorhall wrote:
[quote]Chris,
I’ve used both calipers (on different cars) and they are identical in performance. Run what your car brung - and keep it simple.
If I wanted to "upgrade" for non-SpecE30 use, I’d go with Stoptechs…mmmm…4-piston calipers…
-Vic
SO #325[/quote]
Vic - do you have any experience with the Stoptechs? I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a set to swap in when running with BMW CR, but I don’t know how much of a benefit they really do provide. By benefit I mean in terms of pure stopping power - not fade, which I don’t notice to any significant degree with what I’ve got. It actually looks like nearly all of the events I’ll be running in this year will be with CR, so I wouldn’t have to do much swapping. The one thing that frightens me about going down this route is that I’ll get used to the add’l stopping power (assuming it is a significant change) and then rearend poor Mr. Donnelly when he gets his spec car on track. Of course that’s assuming he ever gets in front of me in the first place… 
Chris - how’s the car coming anyway??? You going to bring it or your M3 to Buttonwillow this coming weekend? My car will be serving triple duty: me racing, my friend driving HPDE1, plus me driving the enduro. I can’t wait!
Refurbished Girlings it is.
Steve, I had plans of shaking the car down at Buttonwillow in HPDE next weekend but I am a few weeks behind right now. Stuff is ordered and coming in from all directions, but still plenty of work to be done. I am still aiming at the Driving Concepts Racing School (Willow Springs) in May.
As luck would have it the M3 is getting closer and closer to a "cushy" street ride again. So I may have to show up and just hang out with the CR guys and watch the enduro. Are you going for the "iron man" award again?
And Steve, I believe I will be in front of you at least once per race, as you lap me. I give myself a little more credit than to say it will be twice a race Oops forgot about the enduros.
Chris
"Only a few weeks" behind is pretty much on schedule for building a car it seems, as things always seem to take just a little longer than planned. My car has been up on jackstands for the last 3 weeks while waiting for me to finish a 2 hour project I began the weekend the car last saw the ground. It WILL be done before next weekend, though.
Sorry to hear you won’t be making it out on the track this weekend, but I’ll see you in the paddock. Yes, it looks like I’ll be doing the enduro solo again. I never learn!
Oh - on the subject of this thread, I have the Girlings. Definitely rebuild them. It’s a pain to do, but rebuilding mine make a big difference in feel & effectiveness.
Steve,
I don’t have any experience with Stoptechs…the wallet never allowed.
From what I’ve read though, I’m not convinced that the performance advantage is that great, at least not for a sprint race (or short enduro). When you factor in the added weight (figure you’re gonna run bigger wheels to accomodate bigger rotors) I don’t know if it’s worth it, unless you’re changing brake pads mid-race.
James at Bimmerworld runs them on their World Challenge cars - I’m sure he can give you much better advice than I can.
-Vic
SO #325
Patton wrote:
Robert:
Why didn’t you have the clips in-place? Mine have always been there and I’ve never had the rear pads do anything funky.
Carter
There was an interesting comment in the current GRM Nissan Sentra SE-R article. They said stopping distance was largely determined by tire, rather than brake size. They said big brakes basically just provide a larger heat sink, and therefore do perform better in racing since they resist fade better, but they don’t necessarily provide shorter stopping distances (until your smaller brakes fade)!
Sasha
Over at the new GTO site, guys talk about how the GTO has such poor brakes but I have always had the same philosophy as Sasha. For street use, the GTO brakes are fine. The tires are the limiting factor.
For track use, stopping a 350-400 hp car that weighs 3700 lbs., lap after lap, is a challenge.
On my Spec E30, the brakes have always been great.
Carter