Brake Caliper Upgrades From Vendors

[DeloreanJoshQ]

Has anyone purchased brake caliper upgrades and would be willing to review them?

I found some examples below....


http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/delorean-caliper-new.jpg

$799.90

http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/delorean-caliper-new.jpg

https://www.deloreanindustries.com/shop/power-brake-upgrade.html

$1295

https://www.deloreanindustries.com/shop/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1646665260fae7927c44b27a0adb1ae5/d/s/dsc00995_20_1_.jpg


http://www.delorean.eu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=168051&cPath=&osCsid=ab25a49a3b4306bc56f23c0d130e7f63
$1323
http://www.delorean.eu/catalog/images/DSC00995%20[].JPG?osCsid=ab25a49a3b4306bc56f23c0d130e7f63

http://www.delorean.co.uk/delorean_performance.html

$3125 +$391 for grooved discs...
http://www.delorean.co.uk/parts/bigbrakes.jpg

[DMCMW Dave]

Hmmmm - the two in the center look remarkably similar...........?

[Delorean Industries]

Yeah I don't carry Ed's kit anymore! The deal of DPI distributing power parts is no longer available. Sorry!

and fixed.

Might as well go there. In regards to the top option. How important is stopping to you? When you have an issue stopping and call the vendor are you ok with being told the failure is because of the rear spring cup height? Or because you are not running 8mm taylor plug wires? Just saying....... Or that the cartel sneaked into your garage, removed the calipers, made tiny incisions along the piston seals and reassembled without you even knowing?

All joking aside. There is no way he has tested this arrangement. This probably bolts up "close" and is in no way shape or form sized for application. As I have been telling everyone that contacts me and asks about DAP parts. If you want to cheap out and use junk go right ahead.

[Chris 16409]

No complaints from the rebuilt and powder coated set from Josh & DPI. Been vary happy, and the powder coating still looks like new. Consider his offering:

https://www.deloreanindustries.com/shop/brake-caliper-kit-front-and-rear.html

Mine came powder coated gold.

[DeloreanJoshQ]

No complaints from the rebuilt and powder coated set from Josh & DPI. Been vary happy, and the powder coating still looks like new. Consider his offering:

https://www.deloreanindustries.com/shop/brake-caliper-kit-front-and-rear.html

Mine came powder coated gold.

Those are stock; I am researching upgraded....

[Delorean Industries]

Those are stock; I am researching upgraded....

Red stuff pads on stock calipers are your best bang for your buck.

[Nicholas R]

Josh, sometime at a tech session when we've got some time we can dissect my setup further and reverse engineer it. I know which parts are custom, and those are easy to make. The only thing I'm not sure about at this point is the disk itself. Any idea if they look like something Jegs sells? I have all the paperwork on the calipers.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/168291_10100588610521805_1111690540_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/600484_10100583867481895_1939170757_n.jpg

[TTait]

In regards to the top option. How important is stopping to you? There is no way he has tested this arrangement. If you want to cheap out and use junk go right ahead.

If you are looking for a set of copper washers for the fuel system, or a couple cans of freeze 12 - you will probably be okay - but none oem brakes from DAP? No way, no how, not at ANY price...

If anyone does go this way, I'd be interested in working with you to secure a term (12 month?) life insurance policy with me as the beneficiary.

[1Mcfly4u]

Red stuff pads on stock calipers are your best bang for your buck.

So there is no reason to upgrade the brakes? Stock is fine with the pads you have suggested?

[DeloreanJoshQ]

Josh, sometime at a tech session when we've got some time we can dissect my setup further and reverse engineer it. I know which parts are custom, and those are easy to make. The only thing I'm not sure about at this point is the disk itself. Any idea if they look like something Jegs sells? I have all the paperwork on the calipers.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/168291_10100588610521805_1111690540_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/600484_10100583867481895_1939170757_n.jpg

I believe the rotors are Wilwoods...but I'll have to do more research. Do you know the diameter by chance? are they 4 piston calipers?

[Nicholas R]

I believe the rotors are Wilwoods...but I'll have to do more research. Do you know the diameter by chance? are they 4 piston calipers?

Yes, they're 4 piston. These are the calipers:
http://www.wilwood.com/Calipers/CaliperProdP2.aspx?itemno=120-6806
http://www.wilwood.com/Images/Caliper/Caliper_Photos-Large/Forged_Dynalite-lg.jpg

I dont know the diameter of the discs off hand but I'll try to measure them tomorrow.

EDIT:

Actually after a little research, I believe these are the rotors:
R/H: http://www.wilwood.com/Rotors/RotorProd.aspx?itemno=160-9249
L/H: http://www.wilwood.com/Rotors/RotorProd.aspx?itemno=160-9250
http://www.wilwood.com/Images/ROTORS/Rotor%20Photos-Large/SRP-Drilled-Performance-Zinc-Rotor-6blt-lg.jpg

[protodelorean]

So there is no reason to upgrade the brakes? Stock is fine with the pads you have suggested?

The biggest issue with the stock brakes is not clamping force (calipers). It's the solid rotors which cannot dissipate heat effectively. Any serious brake upgrade for the Delorean will upgrade to ventilated disks.

[nkemp]

I've seen spacer kits that for our brakes sold from Europe (evidently those calipers were used on solid and vented rotors in Europe). That said, the fronts are easy to space/widen since they have fluid on one side only. The rears require new plumbing to the other side. So making the brake calipers "work" is relatively straight forward. The problem is the disk. The other problem for the rears is the parking brake... specifically the Part #:109034 Retraction Plate which needs to be widened. (http://store.delorean.com/p-7474-retraction-plate.aspx)

[jamesrguk]

That said, the fronts are easy to space/widen since they have fluid on one side only. The rears require new plumbing to the other side.

This sounds wrong to me but maybe I'm missinterpreting what you've typed.

Both front and rear calipers have 2pistons, one either side of the disk, and the fluid operates them both, not like some modern, typically small, cars which have a sort of floating caliper arrangement.

The spacers Ed used to sell which allowed you to widen the gap between the pistons and install thicker/vented discs, were just that, spacers, which allowed the fluid to travel to both sides of the calliper.
It was actually a very simple and elegant design which allowed the use if oem calipers, with your preferred pads, but with the space to accomodate thicker vented discs.

Apologies if I'm missunderstanding what you are trying to say.

James

[nkemp]

Thanks for clarifying. The fronts do not use an external tube to route any fluid to the other side... they use internal routing that the spacer must accommodate That somewhat simplifies spacing the front caliper spacing. Note to anyone interested...I've seen spacers that have only two holes, the holes for the bolts. You need a third hole for the fluid. The rears use a tube to port fluid to the other side.

[BABIS]

I want to share with you my brake set up
front:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fquie7Ty7l0/T4W5eKTmG7I/AAAAAAAAIc0/zwwSIaLBdfs/w765-h574-no/IMG_1335.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VTUHuUngXhI/T42mlf-0C5I/AAAAAAAAIfQ/Rl2yKyu6h04/w765-h574-no/IMG_1358.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WV_WHvakUQw/T1ZtzUEeYHI/AAAAAAAAIEQ/deDQuXRu7x8/s640/IMG_1110.JPG

rear:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-96w9c1NXntY/T2SJH6uMByI/AAAAAAAAIUU/uw_YbtzfBss/s640/IMG_1250.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h68UtQknMKc/T2SJg-meaPI/AAAAAAAAIVM/svpL3OJpDmk/s640/IMG_1257.JPG

[nkemp]

Nice!! Inquiring minds want to know the rest of the details.

[DMCH Stephen]

Josh,

I tried the wildwood four piston calipers about 15 years ago on one of my Delorean's and I found the four piston calipers to have to much power for the car ie they would lock up. I did try them with both the original brake bias and the aftermarket 50/50 bias on the brake master cyl with no change. I am using them now on the EV delorean as I have added a lot more weight to the car and most of that is in the front end. In regards to the drilled front brake rotors all I have seen have been home brew drilling and they tend to make a grinding noise when the brakes are applied.

Stephen Wynne






Has anyone purchased brake caliper upgrades and would be willing to review them?

I found some examples below....


http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/delorean-caliper-new.jpg

$799.90

http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/delorean-caliper-new.jpg

https://www.deloreanindustries.com/shop/power-brake-upgrade.html

$1295

https://www.deloreanindustries.com/shop/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1646665260fae7927c44b27a0adb1ae5/d/s/dsc00995_20_1_.jpg


http://www.delorean.eu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=168051&cPath=&osCsid=ab25a49a3b4306bc56f23c0d130e7f63
$1323
http://www.delorean.eu/catalog/images/DSC00995%20[].JPG?osCsid=ab25a49a3b4306bc56f23c0d130e7f63

http://www.delorean.co.uk/delorean_performance.html

$3125 +$391 for grooved discs...
http://www.delorean.co.uk/parts/bigbrakes.jpg

[Farrar]

Nice!! Inquiring minds want to know the rest of the details.

And I'm one of them! (The minds, not the details.)

[djdogbone]

So, other than "home brew" vented discs, there are no current vented discs for the stock braking system, correct?

[DMCH Stephen]

So, other than "home brew" vented discs, there are no current vented discs for the stock braking system, correct?


Nothing official that's for sure. Over the years we have tried with the larger brake upgrade specialists to have a package developed and have not been able to get them on board.

[NightFlyer]

Stock set-up works just fine for me. Are people having problems with the stock set-up that I'm unaware of?

[nkemp]

Seems to me that there are at least two distinct groups of people interested in brake upgrades:
1) Those who want a lot more braking possibly because they are driving a lot more performance. This group is interesed in more pots, bigger brakes, performance pads, etc
2) Those who wish the car had come with vented rotors. This group thinks the current brakes are adequate but would prefer a vented rotor with all the advantages it brings. These may be drivers driving stock or those who have done light performance upgrades. This group may drive their car aggressively on occasion.

An economical alternative for the 2nd group would be adding the spacer to the existing calipers and being able to get vented rotors. This would be at least for the fronts and preferably all around. As indicated above, the rears will need a new crossover tube and components to modify the parking brake (although there is an argument that very few have working parking brakes so why not simply remove them).

As I recall, the last time I saw the spacers for our fronts on eBay they were well under $50 ($35???)and I think these were OEM spacers, not aftermarket.


NightFlyer ...as coincidence I was adding my 2 cents worth as you were asking the question. I don't think there are a lot of problems with the original brakes. Just a bunch of folks who are always wondering about making things better.

[djdogbone]

When I purchased my car, I noticed that the car had a little "wobble" when I hit the brakes. I know from experience that what I have is warped discs. I researched the forums and I have read that the 12 has heat dissipation issues. I want to keep the stock calipers so the obvious choice would be to buy cross drilled discs.

Does anyone have an opinion on this?

[nullset]

When I purchased my car, I noticed that the car had a little "wobble" when I hit the brakes. I know from experience that what I have is warped discs. I researched the forums and I have read that the 12 has heat dissipation issues. I want to keep the stock calipers so the obvious choice would be to buy cross drilled discs.

Does anyone have an opinion on this?

You should probably have your rotors turned. If they're below the minimum service width, then replace them. I bet if you do that, you'll have wobble free braking for quite some time.

[NightFlyer]

When I purchased my car, I noticed that the car had a little "wobble" when I hit the brakes. I know from experience that what I have is warped discs. I researched the forums and I have read that the 12 has heat dissipation issues. I want to keep the stock calipers so the obvious choice would be to buy cross drilled discs.

Does anyone have an opinion on this?

In my experience, warped rotors throw off the entire balance of the corner that contains a warped rotor, and thus is felt/noticeable whenever the vehicle is in motion and not only when braking.

In fact, I just had an experience similar to what you're describing (noticeable only during braking) with my D, and it wasn't warped rotors.

If what you're noticing only occurs during braking, then you may want to look into replacing the soft lines, master cylinder, cleaning and rebuilding the calipers (replacing any severely corroded pots/pistons), and replacing the pads, as I'd be guessing that you're problem is not actually a warped rotor, but rather with something else in the system - ie plugged master cylinder, soft lines, or both, partially frozen caliper, etc. I did everything mentioned, without even touching the rotors, and it solved all my brake issues.

[nkemp]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but the DeLorean uses Girling Type 16 calipers up front (Warning: I'm subject to being wrong without notice!) as such, here is a source of front rotor spacer kits: https://www.canleyclassics.com/?xhtml=xhtml/product/rd3270.html&xsl=product.xsl

When you look at them they are pretty straight forward and could easily be reproduced.

FYI

[Ron]

The extra weight wouldn't hurt. ;-)

[nkemp]

Just to add options ... I read on a forum somewhere that RX7 4 pot calipers (I think these are 1990 vintage) could be used as alternatives to the Girling M16's. It made them sound like a direct bolt up. There were no comments relative to the rotor offset. The rotors were close in size ( they are 283mm), a bit larger. I don't see any RX7's in the scrap yards around here so I cannot verify that they are an option. Maybe someone else has the energy to pursue this. Again these are 4 pot, not 2 pot.

To Josh's comment these are not engineered/tested as a DeLorean brake solution. The Rx7 is a 2,600 -3,000 LB car, with likely more weight up front and more horsepower. I suspect the D's light front end is a signifigant issue with going to more clamping pressure...too easy to lock up the fronts per Steve's comment. And this only gets worse in slick conditions (first rain in a long time, a fair amount of water on the road (hydroplaning) or snow/ice).

[Farrar]

2) Those who wish the car had come with vented rotors. This group thinks the current brakes are adequate but would prefer a vented rotor with all the advantages it brings.

This would be me. I had the rotors turned once, but after one panic stop, they warped again.

[DMCMW Dave]

This would be me. I had the rotors turned once, but after one panic stop, they warped again.

Did you measure them with a dial indicator? People usually mistake pad crap for warped rotors. If they really warped that easy they were cut too thin.

[Farrar]

Did you measure them with a dial indicator? People usually mistake pad crap for warped rotors. If they really warped that easy they were cut too thin.

No, I haven't bothered buying a caliper to measure them. I just figure I'll replace the discs before I put the car back into regular service.

[Rich W]

So, other than "home brew" vented discs, there are no current vented discs for the stock braking system, correct?

I believe its been about a decade since they were offered, but IIRC, Ed Uding had a nearly bolt-on solution with spacers for the stock front calipers
and a pair of drilled and vented front discs from a European Ford Granada (not sure if the 4x100 bolt pattern was stock or machined in a drill press).

These were available at DCS 2002 in Memphis at Ed's vendor table. Again, IIRC, there was only one display set, but you could order them at the show.
I am not sure how long this kit was marketed or how many units were sold, but I think I have a kit (or a knock-off kit) with one of my project cars.

I will try to take some photos of the rotors and/or calipers with spacers, the next time I am out at my shop.

[nkemp]

A homebrew solution would be to source or fab the spacers and then put together a custom hat & rotor combination suitable to our car.

[SS Spoiler]

I had put brand on new front rotors and within six months the brake pedal was pulsating. I don't drive hard could this mean I have a stuck caliper?

[DMCMW Dave]

I had put brand on new front rotors and within six months the brake pedal was pulsating. I don't drive hard could this mean I have a stuck caliper?

Yes.

[bigmac]

I have a set on the way from delorean uk so once they are in will review them.

[ed uding]

Right now we have 200 sets of new made vent disk in the harbor of Amsterdam waiting for customs.
It is a bold on dick fro the front, no spacers and what ever is neat, it will come with the spacer set for the existing calipers.
We will sale it as a complete kit, disk set spacers and new seal kit for the calipers it self.
In 4 weeks we have it on the website with the performance parts.

Ed Uding
www.delorean.eu

[Stanislav]

Right now we have 200 sets of new made vent disk in the harbor of Amsterdam waiting for customs.
It is a bold on dick fro the front, no spacers and what ever is neat, it will come with the spacer set for the existing calipers.
We will sale it as a complete kit, disk set spacers and new seal kit for the calipers it self.
In 4 weeks we have it on the website with the performance parts.

Ed Uding
www.delorean.eu

Awesome Ed I just made a thread about this

[Holley'dDMC]

I want to share with you my brake set up
front:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fquie7Ty7l0/T4W5eKTmG7I/AAAAAAAAIc0/zwwSIaLBdfs/w765-h574-no/IMG_1335.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VTUHuUngXhI/T42mlf-0C5I/AAAAAAAAIfQ/Rl2yKyu6h04/w765-h574-no/IMG_1358.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WV_WHvakUQw/T1ZtzUEeYHI/AAAAAAAAIEQ/deDQuXRu7x8/s640/IMG_1110.JPG

rear:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-96w9c1NXntY/T2SJH6uMByI/AAAAAAAAIUU/uw_YbtzfBss/s640/IMG_1250.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h68UtQknMKc/T2SJg-meaPI/AAAAAAAAIVM/svpL3OJpDmk/s640/IMG_1257.JPG


This looks like a good simple setup, What are the brands and part number of the calipers and rotors? Thanks

[Josh]

Since this thread popped up again, here is my contribution.

I provide a kit that interfaces any sort of Mazda Miata front brake setup to the Delorean. The limit is your wheel size and budget.
Everything bolts on, no invasive modifications required. Angle drive still functions as it should.
By simply using 1.8L stock miata brakes with this kit you can have a vented front brake setup with many choices of pads and very cheap and easy to source rotors.
This setup uses modern integral wheel bearings/hubs so no need to press in and out bearings when you do a brake job, or ever.

Ive sold seven of these kits. I have been running this setup on my car since 2017.

If you go to a larger wheel you can fit larger rotors and multi piston calipers. Once again, anything at fits a 1990-2004 Miata will bolt up to this kit.

Stock Miata Calipers (10" rotors, fit under stock wheels)

https://i.imgur.com/fGJ3whyl.png

Flying Miata LBBK (10" rotors, fit under stock wheels)

https://i.imgur.com/JqkjpJql.png

Sport Miata Calipers (11" rotors, 15" or larger wheel req'd)

https://i.imgur.com/PBaBZGQl.png

Stoptech Big brakes (11" rotors, 15" or larger wheel req'd)

https://i.imgur.com/VLlrgaMl.png

Clint Wolff helped out bigtime with the development of this brake kit.

[Timeless]

Thanks Josh. Is the STOP-TECH kit is a Miata BBK?

[Josh]

Yes, anything that bolts to a 1990-2005 Miata interfaces with the setup.
This is what is included on my end. Not calipers or rotors.

https://i.imgur.com/k7VHyAul.jpg

[Holley'dDMC]

Yes, anything that bolts to a 1990-2005 Miata interfaces with the setup.
This is what is included on my end. Not calipers or rotors.

https://i.imgur.com/k7VHyAul.jpg


Whats the price on this kit?

[bueller]

Looks like $400. https://www.lsdelorean.com/services-1

[mark w]

Josh

Im interested in your kit with the Flying Miata LBBK.

My question is this- since the Mongoose DeLorean runs custom 15" 3pc wheels, with no "hub" in the wheel- the center part of the wheel mounts flat against the rotor surface- the brake caliper CANNOT stick out past the rotor surface. Is this the case, or is the face of the caliper- where the Wilwood name is- inboard of that surface?

Mark

[Josh]

My kit also includes hubs for the $400 price, but they are not pictured there unfortunately. I use hubs with timken bearings.

If anyone is interested in a kit, just send me an email as indicated on my site ([email protected]). We can discuss further what your plans are so I can help you out to the best of my abilities. The brake kits seem to be building in popularity, more interest over the last month. Thank you for this.

Mark w, I am having a hard time understanding your setup. If i recall correctly you are in SoCal? Clint Wolff has worked on your car? Perhaps I am wrong. Either way pictures of your setup would be idea. I would not want to sell anything that would not fit, but I am flexible as well.