Convertible brake options Options

[Buffalo]

I have a 98 convertible and with the heavy 18" wheels the braking is not as good as i want it to be.

I don't want anything extreme like a big brake kit but i want something better than stock, maybe a biger caliber with a set of good pads.

Is there any toyota models with bigger brakes like supra or gt4 that i can use their parts without too much custom work? I mean if i just need a custom braket to use the gt4 caliber with convertible or gt4 rotor that would be nice (if the gt4 rotors fit the convertible).

Any other options?

**edit** ps. Is a 98" with beams motor. Don't know what model that makes it.

This post has been edited by Buffalo: Aug 1, 2008 - 10:58 AM

[D-Man]

Well, if you dont want to do much work, than get better pads to begin with. Not the cheap-o auto-zone crap, but a decent brand. Second, make sure you have your system bleed with speed-bleeders or a vac-pump.

as for upgrades, These have served me well:


But it's not for everyone. You'll see a variety of opinions sprout from this, but first thing is first, start shelling out dough on pads!! everyone will agree with that. Good luck with your upgrades.

This post has been edited by D-Man: Aug 1, 2008 - 11:02 AM

[Buffalo]

Well, if you dont want to do much work, than get better pads to begin with. Not the cheap-o auto-zone crap, but a decent brand. Second, make sure you have your system bleed with speed-bleeders or a vac-pump.

as for upgrades, These have served me well:


But it's not for everyone. You'll see a variety of opinions sprout from this, but first thing is first, start shelling out dough on pads!! everyone will agree with that. Good luck with your upgrades.

I know pads are the #1 on brake upgrade. I still own my 94 prelude vtec with many $$ drop to it, and i'm not a car newbie to begin with.
I also know that the celi stock rotors are small and they have small pad to rotor contact and the drills/slots are gonna take away even more.

I don't want the celi for racing, i just want something beeter than stock.

[GriffGirl]

It's my understanding that EBC Greenstuff pads are about the best pads you can get for stopping power. I don't know about SSIIIs because we got totally screwed in the US market, but do you have rear disc brakes as well, or drums? If you have drums I'd say convert them to disc brakes to increase stopping power as well. Short of that, I'm not really sure what else you can do aside from a big brake swap. Maybe stainless brake lines? I don't think it's quite as simple as being able to just get bigger rotors. That'd be great - unfortunately I don't think they're available for our brake systems as-is.

[Buffalo]

It's my understanding that EBC Greenstuff pads are about the best pads you can get for stopping power. I don't know about SSIIIs because we got totally screwed in the US market, but do you have rear disc brakes as well, or drums? If you have drums I'd say convert them to disc brakes to increase stopping power as well. Short of that, I'm not really sure what else you can do aside from a big brake swap. Maybe stainless brake lines? I don't think it's quite as simple as being able to just get bigger rotors. That'd be great - unfortunately I don't think they're available for our brake systems as-is.

disc brakes all around. As for the EBC Greenstuff is the ones that i'm using on my prelude +DBA gold series rotors and they are amazing for both street and competition.

Maybe i'll just use them again, EBC Greenstuff + some good ss brained brake lines and call it a day.

**edit** checking again the EBC website i noticed that they upgrated the red stuff pad... maybe give em a try since they offer much less dust than the green

This post has been edited by Buffalo: Aug 1, 2008 - 2:14 PM

[GriffGirl]

There ya go... you should let us know how the redstuff pads work out, if they do have less dust. Remember though that less dust=harder pad=less stopping power. Maybe they'll be a good compromise though?

[Buffalo]

There ya go... you should let us know how the redstuff pads work out, if they do have less dust. Remember though that less dust=harder pad=less stopping power. Maybe they'll be a good compromise though?

Thats not allways right. New brake technologys, new brake materials, better compounds... ...better performance.

EBC claims that had some problems with the previus RED stuff pad and the new red stuff compund provides better cold and hot stop than the green stuff, with much less dust and minimal stress on the rotors unlike other sport, more agressive than the oem, pads.

[GriffGirl]

Cool... I'm sure you have way more experience than I do with this, I was just basing my statement on my own experience. Of course if you have enough $$$ to spend on really good pads, it definitely changes things. You'll have to let us know how those redstuff pads do for you though. One of these days I just might have enough $$$ to spend on really good pads.