Brake NEWBS "must read"

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

@ NIN --- JAMES....

A question like that should be asked of the various manufactures -- and they all have tech help. I am not an engineer and have no knowledge of the workings of one M/C over another.

I've helped fix many of my buddies "messes" (I'm mostly a hot rodder - and hot rodders have more bad info in their heads than good!)... And when I'm doing my own cars (too many builds to count - like north of 30) or helping a friend - I just try to stick to the basics... bore - pedal ratio - lines... and we usually end up happier.

Funny statement that comes up all the time - especially with "newbs".

I put disc brakes up front and I have a power booster - but I'm not really "impressed" with them.... Maybe I'll put on one of those dual 8" boosters...

I ask what they don't "like" about the new system -- and they usually don't like the pedal feel. So we'll start with the basics... as in -- how much vacuum they're pulling - what MC is being used - what's their pedal ratio. For a newb -- there's little point in going into a bunch of techno discussion.

On Lat G and other sites -- there's LOTS and LOTS of technical discussions about pads - and pad knockback - and bias adjustments - and caliper stiffness - and rotor size...

Funny though --- nobody ever buys a simple pressure gauge kit to see what pressure they're actually making... a kit can be bought for like $45.

Look in any top running circle track car and you will find brake pressure gauges. It is an absolute necessity for proper tuning. With them, you don't have to be a braking engineer. You make adjustments record the settings and take a drive. When you get what you like on the street make note of the pressures. Then the same for the track. I support Greg completely with the gauges suggestion. Cheap tuning tool! Also, check Speedway motors. They are hard to beat on this stuff.