better brakes
better brakes OK, I just switched out my pads and rotors, both from autozone. Got the regular rotors and the carbon/metallic pads. Well, my brakes still suck. They are not squishy enough to say that maybe there is air in the lines, maybe just squishy enough to say the brakes suck. Here's my questions:
1. Do the braided brake lines help that much? Where's the cheapest place to get them?
2. Do ZO6 calipers bolt up to Ls1 spindles? Does that mod help much?(My uncle has a ZO6 and his car stops on a dime)
3. Any other suggestions besides spending the dough for a big brake kit, or at least what are the cheaper ones.
Thanks this board rocks!
<img border="0" alt="[gruffy cottonball]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_gruffy.gif" />
<small>[ April 15, 2003, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: Coop ]</small>
1. Do the braided brake lines help that much? Where's the cheapest place to get them?
2. Do ZO6 calipers bolt up to Ls1 spindles? Does that mod help much?(My uncle has a ZO6 and his car stops on a dime)
3. Any other suggestions besides spending the dough for a big brake kit, or at least what are the cheaper ones.
Thanks this board rocks!
<img border="0" alt="[gruffy cottonball]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_gruffy.gif" />
<small>[ April 15, 2003, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: Coop ]</small>
Re: better brakes A few things....
First, Bed the pads to the rotors. Follow the manufacturers suggested break in/bedding proceedure. This maximizes the effectiveness of the friction surface of the rotor/pad interface.
Second (probably, actually, First!), Bleed the brakes. Get all of the old, nasty fluid out of the system. Keep bleeding until you get clean fluid and all the old stuff (that looks like used motor oil) is gone. Don't spill fluid on the car (it eats paint) and be careful not to run it dry and get air in the ABS unit. I got 11 pumps of the brake pedal when doing the rear brakes before refilling the fluid (and that was conservative) and I got 4-5 pumps out of the front before refilling. Fluid gets old, and looses it's heat resistance (absorbs water) and should be changed every year or so (more often if you race). But good quality Dot3 or dot 4 (Dot 4 is preferable) fluid and have at it. Then look at upgrades if this dosen't help.
Good luck.
First, Bed the pads to the rotors. Follow the manufacturers suggested break in/bedding proceedure. This maximizes the effectiveness of the friction surface of the rotor/pad interface.
Second (probably, actually, First!), Bleed the brakes. Get all of the old, nasty fluid out of the system. Keep bleeding until you get clean fluid and all the old stuff (that looks like used motor oil) is gone. Don't spill fluid on the car (it eats paint) and be careful not to run it dry and get air in the ABS unit. I got 11 pumps of the brake pedal when doing the rear brakes before refilling the fluid (and that was conservative) and I got 4-5 pumps out of the front before refilling. Fluid gets old, and looses it's heat resistance (absorbs water) and should be changed every year or so (more often if you race). But good quality Dot3 or dot 4 (Dot 4 is preferable) fluid and have at it. Then look at upgrades if this dosen't help.
Good luck.
Re: better brakes </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Coop:
<strong>
3. Any other suggestions besides spending the dough for a big brake kit, or at least what are the cheaper ones.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think I'm about ready to part with my ZO6 upgrade package.
I'll have ...
13" C5 rotors (almost new)
ZO6 calipers
OEM F-Body pads (low mileage)
LG G-Stop brackets
All the necessary hardware
All for $500 shipped to the lower 48 states.
I've been running this setup for a while now and it has performed very well. I found a really good deal on a Prospeed kit and couldn't pass it up.
If you want rotors and pads for track use, I can add ...
1 set of blank C5 rotors (seasoned for track use)
1 set of slotted/dimpled EBC C5 rotors (2 track weekends, but still a lot of life remaining)
several sets of F-Body track pads (Durastop, Panther XP and Hawk Blue)
Earl's SS braided lines (fronts only)
Lots of pieces (bolts, clips, sliders, guide pins, etc)
$350 shipped to the lower 48 states.
e-mail me at mitchntx@charter.net if interested
<strong>
3. Any other suggestions besides spending the dough for a big brake kit, or at least what are the cheaper ones.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think I'm about ready to part with my ZO6 upgrade package.
I'll have ...
13" C5 rotors (almost new)
ZO6 calipers
OEM F-Body pads (low mileage)
LG G-Stop brackets
All the necessary hardware
All for $500 shipped to the lower 48 states.
I've been running this setup for a while now and it has performed very well. I found a really good deal on a Prospeed kit and couldn't pass it up.
If you want rotors and pads for track use, I can add ...
1 set of blank C5 rotors (seasoned for track use)
1 set of slotted/dimpled EBC C5 rotors (2 track weekends, but still a lot of life remaining)
several sets of F-Body track pads (Durastop, Panther XP and Hawk Blue)
Earl's SS braided lines (fronts only)
Lots of pieces (bolts, clips, sliders, guide pins, etc)
$350 shipped to the lower 48 states.
e-mail me at mitchntx@charter.net if interested
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Re: better brakes My brakes have been mushy from day 1. I've been back to the dealer several times and they always say they're fine. Bleeding does seem to help (for a while). But mine takes 2-3 times as many pumps to drain just half the resevoir as trackbird's. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
Good luck solving yours and let us know if something works.
Good luck solving yours and let us know if something works.
Re: better brakes I won't say it was "empty" on that many pumps....to avoid air, I was very careful not to let it get too low...but it did take a fair amount of fluid at each refill. hmmm.....
