SE Brake Upgrade Option while keeping rims

[chandrab]

I've got a 1991 SE with the original Factory Toyota brakes. I only use the car for street use, no racing...but I'd still like better brakes (esp. the fronts). Now, here is the catch - I'm probably the only Esprit SE owner that likes the original factory OZ Route wheels (or sometimes I feel that way), so I'd like to keep them. Bearing that mind...what are my options regarding calipers/pads/rotors? I assume there isn't enough clearance to put better calipers on?

Thanks,

Chandra

91SE

Edited February 9, 2006 by chandrab

[ragingfool35]

there are many places to buy upgrades

here are a couple

http://www.lotuspbc.com

http://www.needforspeed.co.uk/pages/Cat14.htm

http://www.precisionbrakescompany.com has made brake kits for Esprits

before and will give you many options and put together a kit for you

enjoy

Edited February 9, 2006 by ragingfool35

[f1karting]

Ive built this setup for the S3.. 298 rotors and the caliper fits under 15's. Not sure on the fitting of the toyota setup, but a bespoke rotor hat may just do it.

[Kato]

The Hi-Spec kits supplied by PNM fit under the original wheels! We've tested them. This kit will give you much better braking. We've run them for a while now and have found them to be a massive improvement and well worth the money.

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EModificat...ont_brakes.html

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EModificat..._brake_kit.html

[Paula&Marcus]

Hi,

We usually take grooved ventilated discs + green or red pads for the Toyota/Bendix setup. This setup works quite better than the stock plain discs.

Look: http://freudhoefer.de/lotus/esprit/product...rembo/index.htm

Cheers

Marcus

[CNH]

drilled and slotted early Toyota Supra discs cost about $80 a piece and is a direct replacement

[jfitz981]

drilled and slotted early Toyota Supra discs cost about $80 a piece and is a direct replacement

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Really ...that is a great price...where from?

I see the EBC ones for for about 300USD...1/2 of that is great.

Jason

[f1karting]

A couple of questions...just curious..

Kato re: PMN:

.. what diameter are the front rotors?

.. how heavy are each rotor and caliper?

.. what diameter are the pistons in the 4-pot?

.. how many pad compounds are available?

------------------------

Marcus:

.. Any particular reason you prefer a grooved ventilated disc over a plain vented one?

.. dont you find the OE front rotors to be too small of a diameter to work with in terms of getting real good brakes? Even with upgraded OE style rotors.

-------------------------

Chandra:

I am sure all the improvements are good, however.. there is more to it IMO.

"Better" and "Improvement" is a relative term. A simple pad compound change can transform a cars braking feel. Deglazing and the rotors and pads can also have a profound effect in feel and pedal effort.

These cars do need better brakes.. and I think most of us primarily want confidence in our brakes when stopping from the speeds these cars are capable of. That requires some serious heat management, properly selected pad compounds, a well maintained hydraulic system, and well balanced brake forces. Not to mention tires!

I think if anyone is looking to improve their brakes, they need to consider that as well.

[CNH]

Really ...that is a great price...where from?

I see the EBC ones for for about 300USD...1/2 of that is great.

Jason

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is even a better price

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyota-CELI...036973079QQrdZ1

I like the look of the original wheels too. The chrome ones especially.

Edited February 10, 2006 by CNH

[M Blur]

You can def get good sized callipers and rotors fitted in there.

I run the original OZ rims for my wets (15 f, 16 r) and John H had big ALCON 4 pots fitted front and rear, which are admittedly race biased but do stop the car like it's hit a wall..

[Paula&Marcus]

A couple of questions...just curious..

------------------------

Marcus:

1).. Any particular reason you prefer a grooved ventilated disc over a plain vented one?

2).. dont you find the OE front rotors to be too small of a diameter to work with in terms of getting real good brakes? Even with upgraded OE style rotors.

-------------------------

Chandra:

I am sure all the improvements are good, however.. there is more to it IMO.

"Better" and "Improvement" is a relative term. A simple pad compound change can transform a cars braking feel.  Deglazing and the rotors and pads can also have a profound effect in feel and pedal effort.

These cars do need better brakes.. and I think most of us primarily want confidence in our brakes when stopping from the speeds these cars are capable of. That requires some serious heat management, properly selected pad compounds, a well maintained hydraulic system, and well balanced brake forces. Not to mention tires!

I think if anyone is looking to improve their brakes, they need to consider that as well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jan,

1)the grooved discs have a bit more friction, less fading and have a pad cleaning effect, thats why I prefer them over the plain one.

2) IMHO the front disks are not too big, of course, but if you look at the periode (late eighties) when they were designed for the Esprit they are not too far off ...

If you like to keep your Esprit stock/original with original/stock power for normal road use like it was designed in the first place there is not a real need for upgrading the discs and and calipers, IMHO.

In summer I had the pleasure to drive a friends bone stock MY89 SE a couple times (everything pure original, low mileage and maintained VERY well) A beautiful car, indeed ... I enjoyed these trips very much ... I have to admit that a carefully maintained original SE is a very well balanced car. I never felt unsafe or unstable and it was a pure pleasure to drive on normal roads at normal driving style ;o)

You see it depends on how you look at it ...

Marcus

www.PUKesprit.de