RE: [doc] ABS Brakes

Hi Martin

I collected the car about 2 weeks ago and drove it about 150 miles. I noticedthat brakes need a huge amount of effort, as does the clutch.

The front wheels came off last night and after the drive I would have expected the discs to be shiny.They are however quite tarnished and slightly pitted. Hence my thoughts on the 4 pot caliper and grooved disks.

You said that "my brakes are good enough", I am suspecting a collapsed vacuum to the brake servo, seized or rusty calipers and or grotty disks.

What do you think?

Kevin #5959

-----Original Message-----
From: Gutkowski, Martin [mailto:martin.gutkowski@xxxx]
Sent: 06 February 2003 2:17 AM
To: doc-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [doc] ABS Brakes

Chris H and I had a chat about this with Steve Wynne some time ago (Eurofest actually) on ths subject and I completely understand what he said. The problem with upgrading the front brakes on the DeLorean is the weight distribution. Look at any modern cars - my Xantia has fantastic brakes which are 300mm double walled vented on the front and piddly 200mm plates on the back with postage stamp pads. It stops as if stuck tothe road. The active pitch correction and power assisted high pressure hydraulics helps....

The DeLorean has roughly the same sized discs front and rear and there's reason for that - the weight distribution gives it a gloriously even braking force. If you uprate the fronts, the front wheels'll skid before the backs. At the end of the day, I'm quite capable of pulling a 4-wheel skid on a dry road - my brakes are good enough (not that I've tried mind you!!!). And I haven't invested in a set of Marty Maier's Stainless braided brake hoses, or kevlar pads as yet (these will both increase the "sharpness" of the pedal).

Bottom line: If one were to quote the "rubber-on-the-road-to-weight ratio", I think the DeLorean would do quite well. It stops remarkably well as it is and I would think about kevlar pads and upgraded flexi-hoses with a set of Pirelli tyres before worrying about 4 pot calipers (and how would you work the handbrake if changing the rear calipers?). Also, there's not a lot of room in those 14" front wheels :-)

Martin

-----Original Message-----
From: Kevins Work [mailto:kevin.milliken@xxxx]
Sent: 06 February 2003 18:03
To: doc-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [doc]ABS Brakes

Hi Stian

Good question!.

I am also a little concerened about the brakes. I think however ABS is a non starter sensors need to be put on the wheels etc,etc,.

I am looking into changing the front calipers to 4 pot together with grooved disks. this should increase the effiency of the brakes. Have any others in the DOC done this ??

Kevin #5959

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