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Brake System Improvements


Chgoh
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Neutral Newbie

Thinking of improving the stopping capability from stock for the purpose of safety rather then looks. Current ride is a S80 with stock 16" rims.

 

So wondering what would be a good? Any comments on a combination fo the following:

 

1. Steel brake lines

2. Larger rotors (I think the stock ones are 302mm, with single piston calipers)

3. Performance brake pads (low dust ones would help keeping rims clean)

4. Move to Dot 5 brake fluid

5. Upgrade to 4 caliper brakes from the usual brands, i.e. Brembo, AP Racing etc. Would also like comments on which aftermarket rims would clear the calipers and rotors. Stock wheels are 5x108 PCD.

 

Thanks for any comments!

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Neutral Newbie

Hi! I had a S70T5 and did s/s brake lines, semi-met pads and x-drilled rotors the last time, here are some tips from my experiences.

 

1. Steel brake lines

improves pedal feel, does not shorten braking distance

 

2. Larger rotors (I think the stock ones are 302mm, with single piston calipers)

slotted and dimpled rotors are recommended, like EBC rotors. With dimples they don't have risk of cracking compared to x-drilled ones

 

3. Performance brake pads (low dust ones would help keeping rims clean)

EBC green stuff with EBC rotors, or Hawk HPS pads with brembo rotors. The stock rotors are soft and are recommended to be used with stock pads only. If you don't mind the dust the stock rotor/pad setup is beefy enough for street driving

 

4. Move to Dot 5 brake fluid

DOT5 is silicon based fluid, not suitable for your brake system. DOT 5.1 is the appropriate one if you're going racing, else stick with DOT4 boiling point good enough

 

5. Upgrade to 4 caliper brakes from the usual brands, i.e. Brembo, AP Racing etc. Would also like comments on which aftermarket rims would clear the calipers and rotors. Stock wheels are 5x108 PCD.

99% for show only unless you do GT track racing with your S80

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Start with tyres [laugh] better grip = shorter stopping distance and its harder to lockup. thats where most of the braking is.

 

With the exception of the pad used, larger rotors, more pistons, larger calipers etc are mostly for keeping the brakes cooler rather than anything else.

 

One last thing. make sure the pad compound is good for the street as most trackspec pads need to be warmed up before they're of any use.

 

Pretty much has been said by turbo brick.

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as with any improvement project, there is this thing called 'point of diminishing returns' the more u mod, the more money spent, the less improvement u get.

 

the single best improvement for a stock braking system is the tires, just like wat elfenstar mentioned, or wider tires if u want...

 

then ur brakes pads, then SS braided lines.

 

more than enough for street cars...

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Neutral Newbie

99% for show only unless you do GT track racing with your S80 [laugh] Sorry! Don't think the S80 can make it!

 

Thanks for the good advice! Would look further into them. By the way, any benefits of getting a larger than stock diameter rotor? Assumingly, less pedal force to get the wheel to slow down.

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Neutral Newbie
Thinking of improving the stopping capability from stock for the purpose of safety rather then looks. Current ride is a S80 with stock 16" rims.

 

So wondering what would be a good? Any comments on a combination fo the following:

 

1. Steel brake lines

2. Larger rotors (I think the stock ones are 302mm, with single piston calipers)

3. Performance brake pads (low dust ones would help keeping rims clean)

4. Move to Dot 5 brake fluid

5. Upgrade to 4 caliper brakes from the usual brands, i.e. Brembo, AP Racing etc. Would also like comments on which aftermarket rims would clear the calipers and rotors. Stock wheels are 5x108 PCD.

 

Thanks for any comments!

 

Err,...I kno a fren driving S60 T5 who hve upgraded to Brembo Gran Tourismo brakes 4pot front 4pot rear...aint very ex...abt 5K if not wrong..

 

EA

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Neutral Newbie

Larger diameter rotors helps reduce the possibility of brake fade as the larger surface area dissipates heat better. Another advantage is larger rotors can still be coupled with the same stock caliper, only larger caliper bracket needed.

 

My S70 used to have 280mm rotors but SM upgraded to 302mm under warranty due to warpage issues.

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Neutral Newbie

IIRC, S60R brakes are from Brembo. So if the right Brembo brakes can be found, then I guess that can be used, with a change in the rotor too. Not sure if Brembo have a bolt on kit for S80. [sweatdrop]

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Neutral Newbie
Err,...I kno a fren driving S60 T5 who hve upgraded to Brembo Gran Tourismo brakes 4pot front 4pot rear...aint very ex...abt 5K if not wrong..

 

EA

 

Any idea from ur fren where he got it done? Contacts?

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(edited)
Start with tyres [laugh] better grip = shorter stopping distance and its harder to lockup. thats where most of the braking is.

 

With the exception of the pad used, larger rotors, more pistons, larger calipers etc are mostly for keeping the brakes cooler rather than anything else.

 

One last thing. make sure the pad compound is good for the street as most trackspec pads need to be warmed up before they're of any use.

 

Pretty much has been said by turbo brick.

 

But the most effective way to improve is a change to 4 Pot brake right? [rolleyes]

Edited by Atlantis_boi
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