BMW brakes conversion Options

[ynotdd]

IF you have done the BMW caliber conversion what do you think of it? Does it make a big difference? I autocross and DE a 2.0 4 and have to redo the brakes just want to know if its a good investment or not? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/spank.gif)

[banderson]

I’ve done this too and am not too impressed. The bias is all fuct up. Now I want to put the fronts on the rears and add an APV in the console. Does anyone have a good pic of this?

As I see the physics here, There are 2 independent factors; 1) stopping distance 2) heat dissipation and fade resistance.

1)Stopping distance is controlled by getting all four wheels to exert the maximum stopping force without crossing over to skid. BMW brakes put too much force on the fronts and leave the stock rears no where near there potential. This makes some people FEEL safe, but the stock car in front of you can stop faster. This is why I am thinking about putting the stock fronts on the rear and using an APV to dial it in.

2) As said many times before the trick is to get kinetic energy into thermal energy and dump that into the AIR. Its all about AIR FLOW. Vented rotors are like centrifugal fans and blow a lot of air. The other option is ducting. IMHO, increasing thermal mass (larger calipers and rotors) will delay fade, maybe long enough, or maybe not.

YMMV