Brake upgrades

[liquidtiger720]

So, im in the market for upgrading my brakes, as brakes are due soon and I minus well upgrade them at the same time. From what I understand on e34.net the best set-up would be 850i fronts and 540i rears. Knowing how hard it is to find 850i calipers, I'll skip that.

So which would you rather have?

"To give an example, the E34 540i brakes develop 686 lb-ft of torque on the fronts at 500 psi line pressure; the rears produce 313 LB-ft, so the f:r bias is 69:31 (as a percentage). Adding the M5 front brake (rears are the same on US E34 M5's), which generates 720 LB-ft, changes the bias to 70:30. "

540i brakes all around, or m5 front and 540 rears.

Where would be a good place to start looking for the parts too?

Will I have to change my brake booster to help out with the bigger brakes?

Anything else I need to know?

[Shaun]

So, im in the market for upgrading my brakes, as brakes are due soon and I minus well upgrade them at the same time. From what I understand on e34.net the best set-up would be 850i fronts and 540i rears. Knowing how hard it is to find 850i calipers, I'll skip that.

So which would you rather have?

"To give an example, the E34 540i brakes develop 686 lb-ft of torque on the fronts at 500 psi line pressure; the rears produce 313 LB-ft, so the f:r bias is 69:31 (as a percentage). Adding the M5 front brake (rears are the same on US E34 M5's), which generates 720 LB-ft, changes the bias to 70:30. "

540i brakes all around, or m5 front and 540 rears.

Where would be a good place to start looking for the parts too?

Will I have to change my brake booster to help out with the bigger brakes?

Anything else I need to know?

Finding the M5 units used could be a chore. I can likely get remanufactured units for a decent price plus core (it'd be helpful if I could get your cores back. You wouldn't get a full refund on the M5 core price, but you'd get 50 to 75% back.) Or you can talk to a dealer about new units *cough*.

As far as 540i units, again I can get reman'd calipers for $50+$50 core. You'd likely get $35 or back on the core. It's more likely you'll find used 540i calipers (Kriss got some from BMR), so you could check there, or check www.car-part.com. They have a page or so of 540i fronts, and a page or so of rears.

[liquidtiger720]

are the 540i's a good upgrade though? I mean...will I feel it stop faster and what not?


~ Today I got to test my brakes. ABS kicked in as I hit a bump in the road while hard on teh brakes....at least I know my abs works. ;)

[mattyb]

mine are sweet aas, and ur car wouldbe that much lighter.

[632 Regal]

540 brakes are a good upgrade unless you seriously "autobahn" your car daily. I just got new rotors and pads and the brakes, in my oppinion will never ever see their limits as to how I drive. Fresh seems much better for cruisin normally under 90 or so compared to the old and worn rotors, I dont need the upgrade....unless it was real cheap that is :D I dont need to "unbalance" my braking abilities.

[liquidtiger720]

So, what are the advantages of having 540i brakes/calipers all around?

302x22 vs. 302x28 front and 300x10 vs. V300x20?

Are they wider and lighter?

[632 Regal]

their heavier, the advantage is slightly less overheating because of the added thickness. In a real world you have to really "try" to push the brakes abilities to see any difference. Bigger is always better in brakes if you need it.

[Anton CH.]

Back brakes don't really matter. Even for serious driving 540 ventilated in the back should be just fine.