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Ron Stygar Carl Buckland Dale Beuning Forums Help
Subject: Brake Upgrade Hi All, I was looking for an update of that 318ti to 325ti engine swap story, then thought I might as well share an upgrade story myself. Just read that tip posted in the August Roundel Tech Talk section by Scott Goodwin about upgrading the Ti's solid brakes to vented ones. Since I've got 27k already, and the brake wear indicator lights up occasionally, I decided it was time to do the same to my brakes. At first I was looking at PBR pads and cross-drilled rotors from either Powerstop or Stillen. After talking with my BMW specialist, I decided to upgrade the fronts to the vented version on the other E36's. The cross-drilled rotors, as I was told, are more prone to warping and do make more noises. They were good for cosmetics but not much benefit on streets. The tradeoff is too great for me. Then I saw the Roundel posting by Scott Goodwin. I immediately called up Bavarian Auto Recycling, and they quickly located a set of fronts off a '93 325is and offered them for $500. I told them the guy in the Roundel got them from Vines for $300, so they matched the price. Since the fronts have to be replaced completely, I decided it's time to flush the brake fluid as well. I got the ATE Super Blue fluids (1 liter will do) from Eurasian Automotive Parts, and a bottle of Redline Water Wetter for that radiator flush. Then I said, "What the heck, might as well throw in those DOT approved Kevlar brake lines braided with stainless steel too." OK, now I've got the front calipers/rotors, the fluids, and the new lines taken care of. But most important of all, what about the PADS? As I have read from several list postings, I knew PBR Metalmasters were excellent replacements for stock pads. I called up AJ USA. I told them I wanted the best pads available for street. They did not recommend carbon pads since they are intended for tack use and create too much dust. They also said that the Metalmasters were good replacements for street use but Ferrodos were much better. Whereas the PBRs last longer by using a harder compund (therefore holding more heat), Ferrodos use a softer compound that produces less dust and dissipate heat much better. They last about as long as the OE pads, but heat resistance is much superior in the Ferrodos. The choice was clear. Now I have a set of E36 325is front calipers with vented rotors, stainless steel brake lines, ATE Super Blue fluid, and 4 Ferrodo pads. Don't worry, I got the correct front ones for the 325is brake conversion. The parts will arrive by early next week, and I'll have an update for the installation and evaluation for the upgrade as soon as the conversion is completed.
--Jack |
