Brakes, Brakes, Brakes, Experiences with 320i upgrade Options

[solex]

Hello All,

I have recently replaced all of the flexible brake lines, pads and rotors. The MC seems to be realtively new and the calipers all function. After all of this work, I am still unimpressed with the brakes on this car.

I have read the pelican article regarding the front caliper 320i upgrade. The article also suggest that the brakes in the 914-4 are not that good. No matter how hard I try I cannot lock up the fronts.

Anyone who has done this upgrade care to comment? Does it make a significant difference?

Thanks,
Dan

[jwalters]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/dry.gif) Capn--the other day you got pretty hot under the collar for people giving incomplete / and / or bad advice----

Solex--with a PROPERLY operating braking system you WILL be able to lock up the fronts, and with judicious leg power get the rears to lock as well. If you cannot do this, danger is awaiting you--I would not trust your brakes until you root out the problem. The stock system as delivered, coupled with the very good pad compounds available today will give incredible braking performance from your light weight teener. With all the replacements you have done it sounds as if there is still allot of air in the system--this is not good for the obvious--for the non-obvious it drastically reduces your boiling point, which coupled by air in the system will give very dangerous if not catastrophic results--

Get a friend / significant other to help you.

This is a procedure that may take several times to accomplish. Most of the air gets trapped in the proportioning valve. On top of it is the feed line. I have gotten very good results from just loosening this fitting and letting the fluid dribble out on its own accord-i.e. no pressure on the pedal. Let a good amount dribble out, protect your paint--then with it sealed back up. Have your partner pump the brakes a few times again and hold it to the floor with all their might---then starting from pass rear, bleed at least 2 times more than when air no longer escapes, repeat for driver rear, then pass front, then driver front--remember do not let the res get low on fluid!!

Be very careful with this--brakes are the most important item on the car--as I am sure you are aware..

Hopefully all your woes are from air and air alone--good luck and report back any and all findings to pass on to others--J