Better value for money? - brakes

InfernoSR · 25-09-2008, 04:39 PM

Which is better value for $$ for my AU1?

Been quoted $330 for a full set of new RDA rotors and pads to suit...

OR

AU2/3/BA conversion with 2nd hand parts?

**Peuty** · 25-09-2008, 04:55 PM

Conversion. No question.

InfernoSR · 25-09-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Conversion. No question.

So whats the difference in braking ability between series 1 and series 2/3 with RDA?

**Peuty** · 25-09-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

So whats the difference in braking ability between series 1 and series 2/3 with RDA?

Rotors never really make THAT much difference, all the work is done by the caliper, which, on series two cars is much bigger. I have used both RDA and DBA rotors and have never really noticed a difference.

InfernoSR · 25-09-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Rotors never really make THAT much difference, all the work is done by the caliper, which, on series two cars is much bigger. I have used both RDA and DBA rotors and have never really noticed a difference.

Ok... so if i upgraded my calipers to Tickford ones and used either RDA or DBA rotor and pads, that will make a considerable difference?

**Peuty** · 25-09-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

Ok... so if i upgraded my calipers to Tickford ones and used either RDA or DBA rotor and pads, that will make a considerable difference?

Mate, compared to the series one brakes, you will think you are stopping time itself.

**FTE217** · 25-09-2008, 08:43 PM

Mate you'll be kicking yourself why you didn't do the conversion sooner !
Slotted rotors certainly help with pads combined, so if getting new rotors get slotted ones.

poolkeeper · 25-09-2008, 08:48 PM

Yeah the Ive done the conversion to AU2 with braided lines, and it is a good step up in braking

BlacklistedXR · 25-09-2008, 08:52 PM

You can not compare the difference between a falcon with single piston calipers and one with twin. Its like comparing the power of a FPV GT to a Daihatsu Charade.
The difference is unbeleivable. Definetly go for the twin caliper conversion.

5LGhiaWgn · 25-09-2008, 09:07 PM

I would do the AUII/III setup minus the rotors pads and calipers and go for BF XR rotors pads and calipers here is my setup.

InfernoSR · 26-09-2008, 08:08 AM

So 5LGhiaWgn... whats the actual list of parts i need to do the same conversion as you, for both front and back?

RG · 26-09-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

So 5LGhiaWgn... whats the actual list of parts i need to do the same conversion as you, for both front and back?

Have a look at eBay, there is a set of premo Tickford brakes on there atm with all the required brackets & mounts (to suit an AUII) plus lines and it looks near new.

EDIT: To save you a little time http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ford-Tickford...QQcmdZViewItem

InfernoSR · 26-09-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

Have a look at eBay, there is a set of premo Tickford brakes on there atm with all the required brackets & mounts (to suit an AUII) plus lines and it looks near new.

EDIT: To save you a little time http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ford-Tickford...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for that, but $305.00 with over 5 days to go... i wont get them cheap enough... but atleast they would be period correct...

Actually... which is the better, AUII/III tickford calipers or BA/BF XR calipers?

mattp · 26-09-2008, 09:17 AM

I went from standard series 1 single piston to series 1 with slotted RDAs and GreenStuff pads, which made a reasonable difference, then went to the Tickford premium twin piston setup. I think the way Peuty put it sums it up nicely. The difference is awesome. The latter setup obviously costs more, but the gains are MUCH greater. If you can, I'd go down that path any day of the week.

mattp · 26-09-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

Thanks for that, but $305.00 with over 5 days to go... i wont get them cheap enough... but atleast they would be period correct...

Actually... which is the better, AUII/III tickford calipers or BA/BF XR calipers?

It's not only the caliper itself, but the rotor size, since the further the caliper is from the centre of the hub, the more force can be applied to braking. The Tickford caliper/rotors are 330mm, which is bigger than the BA XR ones, I'm not sure what size the BF XR8 got, I'm pretty sure it was Territory size but don't know numbers. Basically though I think the only Falcon to get 'better' brakes than the Tickford setup were those with Brembo.

RG · 26-09-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattp

It's not only the caliper itself, but the rotor size, since the further the caliper is from the centre of the hub, the more force can be applied to braking. The Tickford caliper/rotors are 330mm, which is bigger than the BA XR ones, I'm not sure what size the BF XR8 got, I'm pretty sure it was Territory size but don't know numbers. Basically though I think the only Falcon to get 'better' brakes than the Tickford setup were those with Brembo.

Mostly correct. The BF XR8 brakes are the same size as the Territory which from memory are around the 322mm mark. The Tickford set up is 329mm with a PBR C4 caliper. There is another option which is the FPV premium set up, standard on the BA GT and the optional upgrade for the XR6T & 8 IIRC. This also came in at 329mm but it used a PBR C5 caliper which has a bigger pad sweep area and gives better braking.

Tickford ones are stil the best though IMO, just for the wings!!!

:

InfernoSR · 26-09-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattp

It's not only the caliper itself, but the rotor size, since the further the caliper is from the centre of the hub, the more force can be applied to braking. The Tickford caliper/rotors are 330mm, which is bigger than the BA XR ones, I'm not sure what size the BF XR8 got, I'm pretty sure it was Territory size but don't know numbers. Basically though I think the only Falcon to get 'better' brakes than the Tickford setup were those with Brembo.

So if i went the AUII/III Tickford calipers and got slotted 330mm rotors to match, that would probably be the best value for $$ setup?

RG · 26-09-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

So if i went the AUII/III Tickford calipers and got slotted 330mm rotors to match, that would probably be the best value for $$ setup?

If you can get the Tickford calipers then yes. Them and some DBA Slotted Street series and good pads will see you stopping well.

Sox · 26-09-2008, 10:12 AM

To give this another perspective, it really depends on what you're doing with the car.
Everyone is so far right in that the conversion is superior, as the disks are larger diameter and the callipers are twin piston instead of single. No argument there.

However, it does still depend on how you drive the vehicle.

If you drive the car very hard on long winding country roads with constant hard near stops, or if you have any inclination on driving on a track, then the conversion is a no brainer.

If you're mainly commuting, and just have the occasional country drive, with lots of highway work, and have no desire whatsoever to go on the track, then the standard brake system is more than adequate, particularly if you use better quality pads.

The standard system (with better pads) can work quite ok, it's really just the repeated hard stops from high(ish) speeds which will diminish the initial bite and will continue to fade fairly quickly.

So it really depends on your driving style, and use of the car.
Keep in mind, ALL brake systems excepting Brembos and the like will eventually fade under extreme conditions.

InfernoSR · 26-09-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

To give this another perspective, it really depends on what you're doing with the car.
Everyone is so far right in that the conversion is superior, as the disks are larger diameter and the callipers are twin piston instead of single. No argument there.

However, it does still depend on how you drive the vehicle.

If you drive the car very hard on long winding country roads with constant hard near stops, or if you have any inclination on driving on a track, then the conversion is a no brainer.

If you're mainly commuting, and just have the occasional country drive, with lots of highway work, and have no desire whatsoever to go on the track, then the standard brake system is more than adequate, particularly if you use better quality pads.

The standard system (with better pads) can work quite ok, it's really just the repeated hard stops from high(ish) speeds which will diminish the initial bite and will continue to fade fairly quickly.

So it really depends on your driving style, and use of the car.
Keep in mind, ALL brake systems excepting Brembos and the like will eventually fade under extreme conditions.

Good point... well my AU is my daily driver, from one side of town, to the next... however, i dont drive like a sunday driver... i'm very much a BLAT racer (Brake Late And Turn) so i am hard of my brakes... and due to engine upgrades in the forseeable future, i want adequate braking ability, and prefer to do it sooner than later.

Currently my brakes are a bit spongy, squel far to much and shudder at lower speeds, yet stomp in them and they lock instantly... i also want to convert mine to ABS in the future also :P Plus i want them to look good behind the rims i'm going to be using shortly

InfernoSR · 26-09-2008, 12:58 PM

Dammit... looks i'm upgrading sooner than later now...

On the way to lunch today, i was nearly in an accident that i would have caused... i was pulling up to a stop before a round about, when for no reason, my brakes locked up... i steered it towards the gutter, and finished half a car length away from being in the boot of the car infront... she couldnt get out of my way due to traffic... i'm just lucky i didnt push her into the traffic... repairs to the front are cheaper than pushing her into traffic...

Now... upon inspection of the road... i left 2 black strips from where they locked up... 1 line had oil impregnated into it... and when i stopped, i not only smelt the burning rubber, but also burning oil... the oil wasnt mine either (surprising)...

So now i need a proper parts list of everything i'll need to convert to AUII/III brakes and ABS... can anyone please help?

RG · 26-09-2008, 01:01 PM

PM FTG auto salvage, they will have it all.

InfernoSR · 26-09-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

PM FTG auto salvage, they will have it all.

And they are stupidly expensive... everything i've gotten qouted are by far more expensive than if i've bought elsewhere...

RG · 26-09-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

And they are stupidly expensive... everything i've gotten qouted are by far more expensive than if i've bought elsewhere...

I never said they were cheap lol.

Norton might be your best bet then.

InfernoSR · 26-09-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

I never said they were cheap lol.

Norton might be your best bet then.

I'm hoping he can help without making it cost me more than i can afford...

Norton · 27-09-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

I'm hoping he can help without making it cost me more than i can afford...

I've got the calipers, rotors and all of the ABS stuff left. Conversion (Upper & Lower arms, sway bars ect.) are gone.

All good prices (Better then a wreckers) but that's not hard!

InfernoSR · 27-09-2008, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norton

I've got the calipers, rotors and all of the ABS stuff left. Conversion (Upper & Lower arms, sway bars ect.) are gone.

All good prices (Better then a wreckers) but that's not hard!

Well i'm interested in them... its a start anyway :P

mattp · 27-09-2008, 05:06 PM

Try Aussie Car Recyclers here in Brisbane, I know JC (and others) got his conversion from them, and even with delivery to Canberra it was about half the price of FTG...

JC · 27-09-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattp

Try Aussie Car Recyclers here in Brisbane, I know JC (and others) got his conversion from them, and even with delivery to Canberra it was about half the price of FTG...

Yep - can't recommend them enough. $500 to my door, though I already had the discs and callipers.

5LGhiaWgn · 28-09-2008, 07:48 AM

List that you need is AUII/III
- swaybar
- swaybar mounts
- spindles
- lower control arms

then choose the BA/BF/AUII/III brake setup you want to run.

I got all my parts from Jollys in dandenong for around $100 then purchased BF XR 322mm calipers, rotors for $550