Hey guys,
I was wondering if we can purchase from somewhere a two piece lightweight brake rotors that will fit the stock calipers? Looking at the Techno pro spirit mr2 the stock brakes are capable enough and lightweight so next thing to tweak would be the rotors.
Pointless on a car like this in my opinion, stock brakes are more than capable with decent pads/fluid to suit usage and stock 1piece rotors are not heavy either, switching to 2piece rotors would possibly save a tiny amount of weight but would make a large dent in you bank account, there is no real performance gains from 2 piece rotors on a car like this and ive worked in the aftermarket brake pad business for many years so do know what im talking about :D
Ian
Agree with Ian. If stock discs and yellowstuff pads is good enough for the 2zz track boys, it says a lot.
Once you get into 400+ hp beasts then you're in that kind of territory
You could however look at Wilwood calipers for weight saving
Would an aftermarket kit improve pedal feel and threshold braking ability though?
On my other sporty cars I've got brakes kits and they've improved the solid feeling hugely. On track I found the stock MR2 brakes engaged ABS easily.
One of the benefits of changing to aftermarket calipers is that it causes you to renew and bleed the brake fluid, and generally have correct working brakes.
I'm pretty sure that refreshing brake fluid and refurbing stock brakes alone will have that same effect of making the pedal feel nice and firm and your braking more sure.
But just liking the looks or name of after market parts is a valid reason for having them. Go on, treat yourself.
My stock car will be worth a fortune one day :-)
Quote from: Dudi on February 8, 2019, 13:34
Would an aftermarket kit improve pedal feel and threshold braking ability though?
On my other sporty cars I've got brakes kits and they've improved the solid feeling hugely. On track I found the stock MR2 brakes engaged ABS easily.
Braided lines will make a big difference to pedal feel etc.
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Quote from: Dudi on February 8, 2019, 13:34
Would an aftermarket kit improve pedal feel and threshold braking ability though?
On my other sporty cars I've got brakes kits and they've improved the solid feeling hugely. On track I found the stock MR2 brakes engaged ABS easily.
Possibly due to better feel you get from opposed multi piston setups, however the stock calipers are pretty good if all working correctly and i would play around with pad compounds before i changed the calipers/rotors.
My roadster is stock brake hardware with Carbotech XP8 pads front and rear along with Motul RBF600 and the brakes are immense on road and track, pedal is rock hard and im able to control the point of ABS interaction as i find the limits of grip, with normal/old road tyre the brakes were too powerful and needed very finesse control of middle pedal to prevent locking/abs but now i have the sticky Federal RSR tyres its amazing, way better than the my other car a bmw 130i with big brembo calipers all round but that only had stock road pads in it, i fit XP8 for trackdays and then brakes on that are very impressive as well.
Quote from: Call the midlife! on February 8, 2019, 14:13
Braided lines will make a big difference to pedal feel etc.
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Most of that is just because brakes are being bled at same time though, stock hoses if in good shape are very good with little to no expansion just like braided lines, yet another product people fit that they dont need! i will fit them if stock hoses need replacing but wouldnt fit just for sake if it.
Quote from: Call the midlife! on February 8, 2019, 14:13
Braided lines will make a big difference to pedal feel etc.
My brake lines were well bled and the change to braided ones all round made veryvéry liitle difference. Only when réally stamping on it, you notice a wee bit less give but no, not worth the hassle if they don´t need replacing anyway.
Quote from: thetyrant on February 8, 2019, 12:26
Pointless on a car like this in my opinion, stock brakes are more than capable with decent pads/fluid to suit usage and stock 1piece rotors are not heavy either, switching to 2piece rotors would possibly save a tiny amount of weight but would make a large dent in you bank account, there is no real performance gains from 2 piece rotors on a car like this and ive worked in the aftermarket brake pad business for many years so do know what im talking about :D
Ian
Me and a guy whos working in the aftermarket stuff discussed this the other day and 4 corners discs will come close to 900 dollars which is a lot and im better off buying a custom BBK front and rear for double that amount. There are some kgs to be saved 1kg + on the fronts and almost 1 kg in the rears but the price is a bit steep for that little improvement. I agree with you, OEM discs and some performance pads will go on. My idea was to find such discs and if the price between 2 piece and OEM wasnt that much to upgrade to 2 piece.
Pedal feel is great on the MR2 on the track, possibly overservoed on the road. Compared to my Boxster there's less travel, but less pedal effort, if I could combine the two it would be perfect.
The stock brakes are more than sufficient, as for the braided lines they have made a difference on other cars but on the MRS not a whole lot.
I think there is no point in upgrading the front brakes to a bigger caliper until you experience brake fade.
Having said that I have upgraded my front calipers to the Willwood set up, not for better braking but for better braking feel. These little four piston calipers have the same braking surface area as stock so there is no shift in brake bias with the rears. The brake engagement is a little higher up in the pedal travel now making it feel as taunt as a radial brake on a motorcycle and the ABS feels like it kicks in late because I have a more refined sense of control.
I don't care if I stop faster as the stock calipers do their job but as far as feel goes the Willwoods are very satisfying just driving normally and applying the brakes. I feel like im driving a more expensive car and much better in feel than those factory cars that have Brembo brake options.
One major benefit that I over looked was removing 9lbs of unsprung weight which changed the way the front end feels especially over bumps as the car is far more comfortable to drive on some rough roads and there is a sense that the front suspension is effortlessly remaining flat when going around the corners.
I highly recommend this option even for a street application as the benefits were enormous.
Quote from: Dev on February 8, 2019, 16:15
The stock brakes are more than sufficient, as for the braided lines they have made a difference on other cars but on the MRS not a whole lot.
I think there is no point in upgrading the front brakes to a bigger caliper until you experience brake fade.
Having said that I have upgraded my front calipers to the Willwood set up, not for better braking but for better braking feel. These little four piston calipers have the same braking surface area as stock so there is no shift in brake bias with the rears. The brake engagement is a little higher up in the pedal travel now making it feel as taunt as a radial brake on a motorcycle and the ABS feels like it kicks in late because I have a more refined sense of control.
I don't care if I stop faster as the stock calipers do their job but as far as feel goes the Willwoods are very satisfying just driving normally and applying the brakes. I feel like im driving a more expensive car and much better in feel then those factory cars that have Brembo brake options.
One major benefit that I over looked was removing 9lbs of unsprung weight which changed the way the front end feels especially over bumps as the car is far more comfortable to drive on some rough roads and there is a sense that the front suspension is effortlessly remaining flat when going around the corners.
I highly recommend this option even for a street application as the benefits were enormous.
Where can I source a front Willwood kit for the MR-S?
There is a thread on Spyderchat that has all the information you need but I dont know if Willwood calipers are readily avalible in the UK.
You will also have to contact Jimbo for the brackets that were custom made and I dont think there is a current GB or if there will be in the future.
It would be better if someone here had the skills to reproduce the brackets because the benefits are enormous.
Have the machine shop. Would need the drawing.
The Willwood calipers are véry popular fitments on classic Ford Escort cars for rally competition.
If there would be MR2 brackets I would buy a set!!
I'm sure that someone was selling them with mr2 carriers.
There was even a little group buy at one point.
When I saw the carriers I did think; anybody with a CNC or even handy with some cutters could make that in a jiffy
I will keep an eye on this!
No need for discs or what, just lightweigt calipers/brackets for better brake modulation and reduced unsprung weight.
A set of red one please ;D
Was it not Freaky parts that were selling these sometime ago?
I looked on their website and couldn't find a front set but could find a rear option.
https://freakyparts.co.uk/products/toyota-mr2-roadster-mk3-wilwood-powerlite-4-pot-brake-kit-rear?variant=8168470642733 (https://freakyparts.co.uk/products/toyota-mr2-roadster-mk3-wilwood-powerlite-4-pot-brake-kit-rear?variant=8168470642733)
Quote from: Dudi on February 10, 2019, 20:59
Was it not Freaky parts that were selling these sometime ago?
I looked on their website and couldn't find a front set but could find a rear option.
https://freakyparts.co.uk/products/toyota-mr2-roadster-mk3-wilwood-powerlite-4-pot-brake-kit-rear?variant=8168470642733 (https://freakyparts.co.uk/products/toyota-mr2-roadster-mk3-wilwood-powerlite-4-pot-brake-kit-rear?variant=8168470642733)
They've even designed them with a substandard parking brake to be as authentic as possible [emoji23]
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Quote from: Call the midlife! on February 10, 2019, 21:06
Quote from: Dudi on February 10, 2019, 20:59
Was it not Freaky parts that were selling these sometime ago?
I looked on their website and couldn't find a front set but could find a rear option.
https://freakyparts.co.uk/products/toyota-mr2-roadster-mk3-wilwood-powerlite-4-pot-brake-kit-rear?variant=8168470642733 (https://freakyparts.co.uk/products/toyota-mr2-roadster-mk3-wilwood-powerlite-4-pot-brake-kit-rear?variant=8168470642733)
They've even designed them with a substandard parking brake to be as authentic as possible [emoji23]
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Did they finish the bodged rear calipers?
Back then it was only for fronts.
Actually, Manos just bought some a couple weeks back . I shall ask.
They have front and rear sets but the price is a bit steep. At 1400 for both sides is a bit much for me at any moment of time..
I won't divulge what Manos got a set of (new) fronts for.
So, deals can be had.
I have no interest in more stopping power but the severe reduction in unsprung weight is attractive
Quote from: shnazzle on February 10, 2019, 21:21
but the severe reduction in unsprung weight is attractive
On that note:
What/how did you weigh Dev? Was that netto 9 lbs in all for both sides? 2.0 kilograms per wheel?
Quote from: Petrus on February 10, 2019, 22:35
Quote from: shnazzle on February 10, 2019, 21:21
but the severe reduction in unsprung weight is attractive
On that note:
What/how did you weigh Dev? Was that netto 9 lbs in all for both sides? 2.0 kilograms per wheel?
9lbs for both sides combined. It was originally estimated by the person who developed the brackets and when I compared the weight myself measuring old vs new including the lines it was approximately that figure but I don't have or remember the exact number.
Quote from: Dev on February 10, 2019, 23:33
9lbs for both sides combined. It was originally estimated by the person who developed the brackets and when I compared the weight myself measuring old vs new including the lines it was approximately that figure but I don't have or remember the exact number.
That is worthwhile!!
Better modulation ánd reduced unsprung weight.
While keeping an eye on whether a set may become a group thing, will be looking into how to get them approved and added in the vehicle documents.
Quote from: Petrus on February 12, 2019, 14:10
Quote from: Dev on February 10, 2019, 23:33
9lbs for both sides combined. It was originally estimated by the person who developed the brackets and when I compared the weight myself measuring old vs new including the lines it was approximately that figure but I don't have or remember the exact number.
That is worthwhile!!
Better modulation ánd reduced unsprung weight.
While keeping an eye on whether a set may become a group thing, will be looking into how to get them approved and added in the vehicle documents.
There is a thread on spyderchat where a guy made a set of discs(rly expensive shit) and shaved another 2lbs off the discs which for me is a win but that was the brakes will go to 3k pounds all corners.
Quote from: Nvy on February 12, 2019, 14:27
Quote from: Petrus on February 12, 2019, 14:10
Quote from: Dev on February 10, 2019, 23:33
9lbs for both sides combined. It was originally estimated by the person who developed the brackets and when I compared the weight myself measuring old vs new including the lines it was approximately that figure but I don't have or remember the exact number.
That is worthwhile!!
Better modulation ánd reduced unsprung weight.
While keeping an eye on whether a set may become a group thing, will be looking into how to get them approved and added in the vehicle documents.
There is a thread on spyderchat where a guy made a set of discs(rly expensive poopoo) and shaved another 2lbs off the discs which for me is a win but that was the brakes will go to 3k pounds all corners.
I have seen that thread and it was not worth it for me. The calipers were a better value for both cost and performance. If Im gong to spend money on brakes I want there to be a noticeable improvement over the OEM but contrary to popular assumptions they don't make me stop any faster.
Looks wise I think they look great and proportional but others might hate them because they look small.
Quote from: Dev on February 12, 2019, 19:23but contrary to popular assumptions they don't make me stop any faster.
You are spot on!
Because the TYRES are the limiting factor.
That observer, better calipers do give better modulation = better control.
Quote from: Petrus on February 16, 2019, 11:27
Quote from: Dev on February 12, 2019, 19:23but contrary to popular assumptions they don't make me stop any faster.
You are spot on!
Because the TYRES are the limiting factor.
That observer, better calipers do give better modulation = better control.
That's not true in all circumstances. If you're tracking the car some calipers and discs have better ability to dissipate discs. Thermal properties of tyres are very rarely going to deem them useless however I've experienced losing a brake pedal (which ultimately is the fluid but the components further upstream contribute) and it's pretty absolute when they're past their use.
Quote from: Dudi on February 16, 2019, 14:55
That's not true in all circumstances. If you're tracking the car some calipers and discs have better ability to dissipate discs. Thermal properties of tyres are very rarely going to deem them useless however I've experienced losing a brake pedal (which ultimately is the fluid but the components further upstream contribute) and it's pretty absolute when they're past their use.
If you go bombing down the mountain roads in the heat of summer over here you will be boiling brake fluids ;)
Been there, done that; even melted high melting temp. bearing grease :P
The point being that under non extreme conditions the OEM brakes are more than capable to push the tyres to the limits.
My brake set up came from spyderchat brackets and lines (jimbo) and calipers from Rally Design.