What are the benefits and features of the
Sport Brake System?
Features:
Fully compatible with stock brake calipers,
wheels and tires.
Cross-drilled or slotted rotors
Attractive, anti-corrosive finish
Brake pads with optimized frictional coefficients
Provides a complimentary appearance on all four corners of the
vehicle
Benefits:
Easily fitted onto customer's vehicle
Disperses gasses, cleans pads for better "bite"
Bold, aggressive appearance
Optimizes performance of the system
Provides a finished look when used with Gran Turismo systems
What are the benefits and features of the Gran Turismo Brake
System?
Features:
Dual use-street and track events
Race-based components
One or two-piece drilled and/or slotted discs
Billet aluminum hats
"Floating" disc mounting system
Four-piston cast aluminum calipers
High Performance friction material
Benefits:
Can be used on the street at drivers'
schools and at club events.
Proven on-track performance at the highest levels of racing.
Disperses gasses, cleans pads for better "bite."
Reduces "unsprung weight" for better handling.
Provides maximum braking force without the flex of sliding
calipers.
Reduces heat-related stress, increases brake performance and
pedal feel.
Aggressive pads that last longer and provide the highest level
of performance.
Will I experience brake noise with Brembo brakes? Brembo
makes every effort to test for and eliminate abnormal brake noise
from the systems we offer. There are many factors that can
contribute to abnormal brake noises, and while it is unlikely
that a Brembo system will create noise, the engineering and
customer service departments are available to answer questions
and work to solve any noise issues which may arise.
Where can I find test data on stopping distances? At the
speeds that stopping distance is generally measured from (60 to
70mph), the test is primarily testing the tire's grip on the
pavement. As delivered from the manufacturer, nearly all vehicles
are able to engage the ABS or lock the wheels at these speeds.
Therefore, an increase in braking power will do nothing to stop
the vehicle in a shorter distance. For this reason, we do not
record stopping distances at this time. The Brembo systems will
show their greatest advantages when braking from higher speeds,
or when tasked with repeated heavy braking. The increased braking
torque provides for maximum deceleration at speed, and the
ability to absorb and quickly dissipate the intense heat
generated during repeated braking insures that the braking system
will perform at the same high level each time.
What is the difference between the different systems Brembo
offers? Brembo offers different levels for different
applications, and for different budgets. There are currently
three performance levels within the Brembo program. The first
level is the Sport system. These kits include cross-drilled or
slotted discs and high performance brake pads, and are direct
replacements for the OEM components. The second level, the Gran
Turismo system, upgrades the entire corner brake assembly. These
kits combine fixed mount, four-piston aluminum calipers equipped
with high performance brake pads, one or two piece directionally
vented discs, and steel-braided brake lines. For those seeking a
system for exclusive or nearly exclusive track use, the Track
systems offer upgrades consisting of true racing components
What should be put on the rear? Direct OE replacement
drilled or slotted discs are available for the rear. They work
with your standard calipers and give you increased stopping
power, cooler operating temperatures, and reduced brake fade.
It's an engineered balance for the larger, more powerful front
braking system.
Should big brakes be installed on the front wheels or all
four? During braking, the front of the vehicle does the
majority of the work. Exactly how much is influenced by the
vehicle's weight distribution, wheelbase, and center of gravity
height. Brembo engineers all of its systems to ensure that the
brake balance of the vehicle is not compromised. If not designed
properly, adding a big brake system to the rear of the vehicle
can result in an unstable condition, and actually degrades
braking performance. Brembo offers rear brake systems for a
select number of high performance applications.
Are Brembo calipers directional? Brembo's calipers are
directional, due to the use of differential piston sizes. The
leading pistons are smaller in diameter in order to combat uneven
wear of the brake pads. Upon close examination of the caliper,
you will find a small arrow cast in place which denotes the
direction of disc rotation. Additionally, when mounted on the
vehicle, the bleed screw(s) must be at the top of the caliper.
What brake pad materials are available? The pads that are
provided with Brembo brake systems are high performance pads that
offer a very broad temperature and performance range. The pads
are effective at cold temperatures as well as the higher
temperatures seen during performance driving. These pads are
suited to high performance street driving, and limited track
usage. If the vehicle is going to be used predominantly on the
track or if you wish to change brake pads when driving on the
track, please call Brembo for recommendations on alternate
friction materials, and the trade offs relating to their use.
Which direction should the discs rotate? It is a popular
misconception that the slots or drillings in a disc determine the
direction of rotation. In truth, for an internally vented disc,
the geometry of the vanes dictates the direction of rotation.
There are three vane types in use: Straight, Pillar vane
(comprised of many small posts), and Curved vane. The first two
vane types are non-directional, and can be used on either side of
the vehicle. The curved vane disc, however, is directional. A
curved vane disc must be installed with the vanes running back
from the inside to outside diameters in the direction of
rotation. Please see figure. Orienting the disc in the manner
creates a centrifugal pump. The rotation of the disc causes air
to be pumped from the center of the disc, through the vanes, and
out through the outside diameter of the disc. This greatly
enhances the disc's ability to dissipate heat.
Additionally, all of Brembo's slotted discs are directional as
well, regardless of the vane geometry. The discs should be
installed such that the end of the slot nearest the outer edge of
the disc contacts the pad first.
How long do Brembo discs last? The useable life of a brake
disc is influenced by a number of factors including vehicle
weight, driving style, vehicle usage, brake pad material, and
many others. Therefore a blanket disc lifetime cannot be given.
However, when used in the same conditions, a Brembo disc should
meet or exceed the life of the disc it replaces. It is important,
however, to periodically check the disc thickness, and replace
the disc if it falls below the minimum allowed thickness.
Does Brembo offer drum to disc conversions? No. Brembo
does not currently, and is not planning on producing drum to disc
conversions. Those vehicles originally fitted with drum brakes
are generally not of a high performance nature. Brembo has chosen
to target only performance oriented vehicles for our systems.
Does Brembo manufacture OEM cross drilled discs? For some
OEM applications, Brembo designs and manufactures cross drilled
brake discs to be fitted as original equipment by a vehicle
manufacturer. In these instances, the vehicle in question is
usually of very high performance and needs the additional
performance that these discs offer. The Sport discs that Brembo
offers are direct replacements for the discs fitted as original
equipment. These discs are available in both drilled and slotted
configurations, and are engineered and manufactured to the same
high standards as those fitted as original equipment.
Should new discs and pads be bedded in and if so, how? The
answer is yes, for optimum performance, any time different
friction materials or discs are introduced, a bedding procedure
should be carried out. While the vehicle is stationary, pump
brakes to ensure a firm pedal. Drive the vehicle cautiously to
test fit and function. The brakes should be smooth, with no
vibrations, judder, etc. Drive the vehicle to a remote area and
perform at least 30 brake applications of 3-second duration. Use
light/medium deceleration with varying starting speeds. Leave at
least ½ mile between each brake application. The purpose of this
procedure is to gradually increase the temperature in the
components without inducing thermal shock, and to mate the brake
pad and disc friction surfaces.
After the repeated stops, drive the vehicle for several miles
with little or no braking in order to adequately cool the
components.
After the above process is completed, the system is ready for
normal use.
When the system achieves elevated brake temperatures for the
first time, a slight increase in pedal travel and pedal effort
may occur. After this first "fade" and proper cooling,
the system will maintain its optimum performance at all
temperatures.
Some of the bushings in the two-piece disc assembly seem to be
loose.
The two-piece disc assemblies utilize a floating disc. The
mounting system of the disc is designed to allow a specific
amount of float in both the radial and axial directions. The
merits of this system have been discussed earlier. Brembo has
engineered special springs that are used on every other fastener
in order to slightly preload the assembly. This has been done to
prevent excessive noise from the system during street use, while
still maintaining the benefits of a floating disc. These springs
can be seen when looking at the backside of the disc. The small
screws on the backside of the disc are properly torqued during
assembly and utilize thread lock compound to prevent loosening.
They must not be tightened further.
Are discs with cast-in-place holes better than cross-drilled
discs? Brembo has extensively studied and tested
cross-drilling versus casting the holes in place and found no
significant effect on performance or durability.
Why are there so many holes in a cross-drilled disc? The
number of holes in a cross-drilled disc is part of the engineered
system. Brembo has done extensive testing with regards to the
number of holes, their size, their location and their chamfering.
This attention to detail is what truly sets Brembo apart in the
world of braking. The same attention to detail that is delivered
to the Ferrari Formula One effort is a component of the high
performance program. The number of holes in a disc is in part a
function of the size of the disc and the internal venting (if it
is a vented disc).
What are the advantages of drilled and slotted discs? The
main advantages of drilled and slotted discs are the same:
increased brake "bite", and a continuous refreshing of
the brake pad surface. Drilled discs have the additional
advantage of being lighter and running cooler. However, there are
certain pad materials that should not be used with a drilled
disc.
Will it work with my standard master cylinder, ABS, or
traction control? Brembo brake systems are designed to work
with your standard master cylinder, and do not hamper the
function of your ABS or traction control systems.
What are the advantages of drilled and slotted discs? The
main advantages of drilled and slotted discs are the same:
increased brake "bite", and a continuous refreshing of
the brake pad surface. Drilled discs have the additional
advantage of being lighter and running cooler. However, there are
certain pad materials that should not be used with a drilled
disc.
Why use drilled or slotted discs? Drilling or slotting
discs aids the disc in several ways: The edges of the slots or
holes continuously clean and refresh the pad surface as well as
providing increased brake "bite". Additionally, they
prevent gasses from collecting between the pad and disc
interface. The disc is lightened, thereby decreasing its
rotational inertia. Improved ventilation increases the disc's
ability to shed heat, resulting in cooler operating temperatures
Why use a two-piece "floating" disc assembly?
There are several reasons that a two-piece floating disc assembly
is of benefit. First, by using an aluminum bell for the hub
section of the disc saves a great deal of weight. Since this is
both rotating and unsprung, it benefits the acceleration,
braking, and handling of the vehicle. Secondly, it is better able
to handle the large temperature changes that a brake disc
experiences. During severe use, temperature variances become
present in a one-piece disc and generally cause warping of the
disc. This not only results in vibration of the vehicle, and
pulsing of the brake pedal, but also pushes the pistons farther
away from the disc. In a two-piece floating disc assembly, the
iron disc heats up more uniformly, and the controlled float which
is present allows for the differential expansion of the very hot
brake disc, and the relatively cool aluminum bell. This allows
the disc to be used under severe conditions without having a
detrimental effect.
Is the biggest brake disc the best answer for my vehicle?
Not necessarily. There are many factors to take into account when
choosing a performance brake system. First and foremost, a brake
system must be designed based on the vehicle parameters, and the
type of use it will experience. Brake systems are designed to
operate best within a prescribed temperature range. While modern
high performance friction materials broaden this temperature
range from relatively cold pad temperatures to the high
temperatures experienced in performance driving situations, the
use of a disc that is too large will limit disc temperatures to
the extreme lower end of this range. Not only will the disc
temperature not reach the optimum range, but it will also be
heavier than necessary. Below you will find an explanation of how
reducing the weight of the braking system further enhances
performance.
What is brake torque? Brake torque is essentially the
power of the braking system. The brake caliper acts on the disc
at a certain distance from the hub center, known as the effective
radius. The force exerted by the caliper, multiplied by the
effective radius of the system equals the brake torque.
Increasing either the force applied by the caliper, or the
effective radius results in increased brake torque.
Are calipers available in alternate colors? Brembo now
offers its high performance brake systems with your choice of
red, silver, or black calipers
The caliper nuts supplied in my kit aren't round and won't
easily thread onto the studs. The caliper nuts that are
supplied with the kits are aerospace grade self-locking nuts.
They have an oval crossection that prevents them from being
threaded onto the studs by hand. They will need to be installed
with a wrench, and torqued to the specification called out in the
installation manual.
What are the benefits of opposed-piston fixed calipers? A
fixed caliper is secured rigidly to the axle assembly and has at
least two opposing pistons that force the pads against the disc.
A sliding or floating caliper has pistons on only one side of the
disc. Therefore, when the caliper acts, it must slide or float in
order to bring the pad on the opposite side in contact with the
disc. Nearly all original equipment calipers are of the floating
type. In a system with fixed calipers, not only is the mounting
much more rigid, but the stiffness of the caliper itself is
greatly increased. This manifests itself in enhanced braking
performance, pedal feel, and pad wear.
How does reducing weight of the braking system benefit the
vehicle? The mass of any vehicle requires energy to
accelerate or decelerate. Reducing the vehicle mass improves
acceleration, and requires less energy to be dissipated during
deceleration. Rotating mass requires additional energy in order
to increase or decrease its speed of rotation. Therefore,
decreasing the mass of the caliper is valuable due to its
contribution to total vehicle mass, and decreasing the mass of
the disc has an even greater benefit due to the fact that it must
rotate as well. Additionally, the mass of the brake system is
also unsprung mass. Reducing the unsprung mass has the additional
benefit of improved suspension performance, resulting in enhanced
ride and handling.
How long does it take to install a Brembo system? Most
2-wheel applications take only 2-3 hours to complete. A few 4WD
applications require changing the knuckles (which are included
with the kit).
All information is copied
from Brembo's web site, used here with permission by R&R
Parts- roy@rrparts.com
http://www.brembo.com/ENG/HighPerformance-brakes/
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