any advice welcome
looking at replacing rotors for slots, are there better brands than others? any difference?
same with pads as well looking at doing this at the same time as i do the suspension
how much improvement from slots over standard?

http://www.aussiemagna.net/forums/search.php?searchid=2034117&pp=25 - 283 threads.

Basic story is: best value = 380 calipers, DBA 4000 rotors with Bendix pads. IMO.

Minimal difference between brands, ie DBA, RDA etc.

Slotted won't do much for you on the street really. Unless you have to replace your brakes, you're better saving some $$ & getting some AWD/ Ralliart brakes - for the front at least.

Minimal difference between brands, ie DBA, RDA etc.

Slotted won't do much for you on the street really. Unless you have to replace your brakes, you're better saving some $$ & getting some AWD/ Ralliart brakes - for the front at least.

I beg to differ on brand difference. There's a HUGE difference in quality between RDA and DBA rotors, especially the DBA 4000 and 5000 series rotors. Chalk and cheese.

ok keeping standard calipers at the mo unless they are not to expensive to upgrade
the reason being i do a lot of hills with a lot of braking and with the auto really not happy with the std tj set up
i know there will be mixed opinions on brands and type of pads thats all good gives me more insite as im new to the braking mod stuff

I don't know about "Basic Brake Upgrade" and what's been said above, or what I was about to post, which follows below.

To me a Basic brake upgrade is some good quality pads, DOT 5.1 brake fluid, legal braided brake lines and if needed machine the face of the discs.

Typically that should give a bit better performance over stock - the uprated brake fluid should resist brake fade a bit longer, if that's an issue in your car.
Before doing it though, just check that the Magna is OK with that type of brake fluid - there may be restrictions that I'm not aware of around the materials used in the brake components etc.

But if you want to go further, there's the upgrades already mentioned above, with some specs on the ralliart/awd brakes as per the following text clip I grabbed from some website, talking about the AWD:


Brakes have been upgraded to the 16” (wheel) brakes currently available on Ralliart Magna.
The front ventilated disc is 294mm in diameter (up 18 mm in diameter) with two-pot calipers, while the rear brakes have been upgraded from 258 mm solid discs to 284mm ventilated discs with single calipers.
The resultant package gives better pedal feel, and improved stopping through a 30% increase in swept area and better fade-free performance.

So standard brake diameters are 276/258mm front and rear.
The Ralliart/AWD brakes are 294/284mm
Or I've just found that MRT in Sydney (who I've had bad dealings with before and can't recommend) have a 320mm upgrade for a Lancer, but it would have to be investigated if it fits Magnas.
These things have 350mm rotors !! and 2 piston calipers, braided hoses, yada yada yada. Price is:

• RRP for the kit (as of October, 2009) is AUD$2370.00 inc GST
• RRP for fitting (as of October, 2009) is AUD$300.00 (approx 1-2 hours to fit)
• This is significantly cheaper than the only other option on the market from TMR priced at $4400.00


So there's another option that could be investigated - TMR kit for $4400.

hope this info is useful - as I said, it's a brake upgrade for new Lancers, so not sure if it will fit a Magna. Anyone know if it's compatable?

Cheers,
Graham.

Yeah don't bother with slotted rotor upgrade on standard calipers. They really are total shit. Have a look at the pad size of the Ralliart/AWD/380 pad and you'll see that they are literally twice the size of the standard ones, not to mention are mated to 294mm rotors. I did the upgrade, big difference, pulls the car up much better than standard.

Yeah don't bother with slotted rotor upgrade on standard calipers. They really are total shit. Have a look at the pad size of the Ralliart/AWD/380 pad and you'll see that they are literally twice the size of the standard ones, not to mention are mated to 294mm rotors. I did the upgrade, big difference, pulls the car up much better than standard.

ok so what is needed for this upgrade i take it 380 calipers and by doing this needing to change the rotor thickness as well is that right

Did you consider doing a search?.....there's already heaps of info on this!

ok so what is needed for this upgrade i take it 380 calipers and by doing this needing to change the rotor thickness as well is that right

+1 to what zero said about searching...

All you need is 380 calipers, discs and pads. Lines bolt straight up.

Did you consider doing a search?.....there's already heaps of info on this!

i did search but this search system is not the best still going through it now for info maybe its just me in the way im searching

I beg to differ on brand difference. There's a HUGE difference in quality between RDA and DBA rotors, especially the DBA 4000 and 5000 series rotors. Chalk and cheese.

Sure there's a BIG difference in rotors, when you're running good brakes. The OP is clearly not.

For the OP's scenario, ie stock rotor upgrade, I doubt very much he'll see any difference between the rotors - except in his wallet.

thanks for your replys looks like im off to the wreckers to find some 380 caliapers what models have them besides 380 im sure i wont see a ralliart

All 380's have them. I got mine off an old taxi lol

I replaced my somewhat worn away standard brake setup with slotted rotors + Bendix General CT pads. To give you an idea, it was about $60 to remachine the stock rotors or $200 for brand new slotted rotors. It definitely brakes nicer than before, and it's a nicer feel, but stopping distance hasn't really changed. If you're not happy with the way your car brakes, I would suggest spending the extra money and going straight for a Ralliart/380 upgrade. Even using the stock 380 pads/rotors would be a fair step up from slotted rotors and aftermarket pads - you could always makedo with that, then upgrade the rotors/pads as they wear away/as funds permit.

Yeah don't bother with slotted rotor upgrade on standard calipers. They really are total shit. Have a look at the pad size of the Ralliart/AWD/380 pad and you'll see that they are literally twice the size of the standard ones, not to mention are mated to 294mm rotors. I did the upgrade, big difference, pulls the car up much better than standard.
Not sure about that mate, i think bendix offer the same pad size across all 3rd gens regardless of caliper. 380 pads are different though.

+1 to what zero said about searching...

All you need is 380 calipers, discs and pads. Lines bolt straight up.

The 380 calipers MUST come with the hoses, magna hoses are a different attachment.

thanks for your replys looks like im off to the wreckers to find some 380 caliapers what models have them besides 380 im sure i wont see a ralliart
The awd also had the same brake setup as the ralliart. Thats what i am running with dba4000 rotors and qfm pads with braided steel lines and its kick **** compared to standard brakes

Dayum son! Bump that post count up lol

I am aware the 380 calipers use a different pad to the AWD/Ralliart, not hard to see the caliper is different too, 380 variant is much smoother, looks nicer :) You will definitely need the lines with the caliper as you need the extra length to bolt up to the hard line (380 lines are much longer to accommodate the fact that the caliper's fluid line sits much lower because of the big caliper)

You're right about the pads on the AWD too... Which I didn't actually know about, and sounds like a waste of time to me if you're upgrading the caliper to use the same shitty small pad lol

Or how about some Evo 4 brake calipers? They are exactly the same as the ralliart/AWD calipers. I'm pretty sure they just bolt up

Dayum son! Bump that post count up lol

I am aware the 380 calipers use a different pad to the AWD/Ralliart, not hard to see the caliper is different too, 380 variant is much smoother, looks nicer :) You will definitely need the lines with the caliper as you need the extra length to bolt up to the hard line (380 lines are much longer to accommodate the fact that the caliper's fluid line sits much lower because of the big caliper)

You're right about the pads on the AWD too... Which I didn't actually know about, and sounds like a waste of time to me if you're upgrading the caliper to use the same shitty small pad lol

380 calipers look heaps better I agree, I wish I had them on mine (thanks magna00 you *********** ****bandit)

What I was saying about the pad sizes is that the single piston and dual piston on 3rd gens are all the same size. I believe they can be used on dual piston 2nd gen calipers too. I cant figure out how braking surface area increases by 30% between single and dual piston brakes even with the same pad?

380 calipers look heaps better I agree, I wish I had them on mine (thanks magna00 you *********** ****bandit)

What I was saying about the pad sizes is that the single piston and dual piston on 3rd gens are all the same size. I believe they can be used on dual piston 2nd gen calipers too. I cant figure out how braking surface area increases by 30% between single and dual piston brakes even with the same pad?

I should have got some pictures of the 380 pads compared to the standard ones when I had the calipers off the car. The 380 pads are longer and wider than the standard TJ ones (trying to find my pictures of my brake upgrade but photobucket is blocked at work!), was informed at some stage that the 380 pads were definitely redesigned. The calipers even look larger than the ralliart ones too :tired:

Good ol' Magna00 hey lol

brembos FTW.

brembos FTW.

Definitely the best option lol

Found these images on the Bendix website too... not the best indicator on size but here you go:

Standard pad:
http://www.bendix.com.au/user_uploaded_files/catalogue/images/DB1223_Inner_Outer.gif

2 Pads 150 x 59 x 16 and 2 Pads 150 x 59 x 16 mm

380 pad:
http://www.bendix.com.au/user_uploaded_files/catalogue/images/DB1778_1778W.gif

2 Pads 189 x 61 x 14 and 2 Pads 189 x 61 x 14 mm

With the 380 conversion, are we talking front and back calipers/rotors and what is a good price?

With the 380 conversion, are we talking front and back calipers/rotors and what is a good price?

I was considering doing the rear set but I wasn't sure if the 380 rear rotors had the same specs as the FWD TJ rotors... Even though my handbrake is pretty crap I'd still want it to work lol Rear vented discs would be nice though :) Utterly pointless though, wouldn't even feel the difference I reckon.

With the 380 conversion, are we talking front and back calipers/rotors and what is a good price?


back will not fit from my understanding

but Front set 380 caliper, line, rotors from wreckers should be around $450

I should have got some pictures of the 380 pads compared to the standard ones when I had the calipers off the car. The 380 pads are longer and wider than the standard TJ ones (trying to find my pictures of my brake upgrade but photobucket is blocked at work!), was informed at some stage that the 380 pads were definitely redesigned. The calipers even look larger than the ralliart ones too :tired:

Good ol' Magna00 hey lol

yeah, I bought General CT pads when I went to get my 380 brakes fitted and was happy with the size difference between the 3rd gen pads and these. They certainly look substantially bigger with a larger surface area. I agree the 380 caliper does look bigger, and bloody big PBR logo to boot!

Needless to say, I had to use my brakes in anger on the weekend, with 4 adult passengers, in the pouring rain. They are just awesome, everyone in the car was like holy shit those brakes work well! You can really rely on the combination of these brakes and eagle F1 tyres in the wet. Feel very safe when they are needed most. On the steep descent on old northern road down into wisemans ferry they shone through as well, hairpin bends require some hefty braking on the downhills. That was 4-up as well!

yeah, I bought General CT pads when I went to get my 380 brakes fitted and was happy with the size difference between the 3rd gen pads and these. They certainly look substantially bigger with a larger surface area. I agree the 380 caliper does look bigger, and bloody big PBR logo to boot!

Needless to say, I had to use my brakes in anger on the weekend, with 4 adult passengers, in the pouring rain. They are just awesome, everyone in the car was like holy shit those brakes work well! You can really rely on the combination of these brakes and eagle F1 tyres in the wet. Feel very safe when they are needed most. On the steep descent on old northern road down into wisemans ferry they shone through as well, hairpin bends require some hefty braking on the downhills. That was 4-up as well!

I was quite impressed with my own on the Mt Nebo run on MM09... Only thing that let them down was brake longevity, unfortunately I didn't buy slotted rotors. Need to bleed the brakes again too, pedal feels quite spongey now.

what fluid do you have, I got DOT5.1 in mine I think.

If you want to improve your braking a bit while saving up for a brake upgrade, get better pads. I swapped the standard front pads for QFM A1RM pads (about $130) & it's a real improvement. They won't make your eyes pop out, but they improve the braking from poor to acceptable in my view.

They'll keep me going until I can afford a good brake upgrade.

Cybermonkey, was it a straight forward swap? Ie, you didnt have to manufacture any brackets for calipers/hoses etc? And do you think the 380 rotors would fit behind a set of standard KJ 17's?

Cybermonkey, was it a straight forward swap? Ie, you didnt have to manufacture any brackets for calipers/hoses etc? And do you think the 380 rotors would fit behind a set of standard KJ 17's?

380 Calipers and hoses are a direct bolt in. No special modifications needed.

They fit fine behind a set of VR-X 17" Rims, so I dont see why the KJ ones would be any different.

Awesome thanks for that man. Do you know if the rotor is any bigger at all?

I was going to get RDA slotted front and rear, then QFM HPX pads front and rear too. Was quoted $500 for the lot.
Now im going to find out how much the 380 front setup is from a wreckers, and just upgrade the front pads to HPX.
Then later I can improve the rear rotors and pads.

Much better Idea I think.

Awesome thanks for that man. Do you know if the rotor is any bigger at all?

I was going to get RDA slotted front and rear, then QFM HPX pads front and rear too. Was quoted $500 for the lot.
Now im going to find out how much the 380 front setup is from a wreckers, and just upgrade the front pads to HPX.
Then later I can improve the rear rotors and pads.

Much better Idea I think.

I picked up a set from a wreckers in Melbourne for $300, all necessary parts included, so it is a damn cheap upgrade, and far more effective than stock.

Awesome thanks for that man. Do you know if the rotor is any bigger at all?

I was going to get RDA slotted front and rear, then QFM HPX pads front and rear too. Was quoted $500 for the lot.
Now im going to find out how much the 380 front setup is from a wreckers, and just upgrade the front pads to HPX.
Then later I can improve the rear rotors and pads.

Much better Idea I think.

Rotors are 294mm compared to 276mm

;1143518']Rotors are 294mm compared to 276mm

Thanks tuffy. Should make a huge difference. Time to start hunting, these std brakes are crap!

380 Calipers and hoses are a direct bolt in. No special modifications needed.

They fit fine behind a set of VR-X 17" Rims, so I dont see why the KJ ones would be any different.

Not sure about that,

The standard hoses off standard 380 calipers are different, they will not secure up to the 3rd gen brake lines in the wheels wells from what I saw a few months ago

My brakes are off an AWD which are a true straight swap, but I got braided lines made up by hoppers stoppers as i thought i might as well do it properly if its all gonna be done.

Awesome thanks for that man. Do you know if the rotor is any bigger at all?

I was going to get RDA slotted front and rear, then QFM HPX pads front and rear too. Was quoted $500 for the lot.
Now im going to find out how much the 380 front setup is from a wreckers, and just upgrade the front pads to HPX.
Then later I can improve the rear rotors and pads.

Much better Idea I think.

I have the DBA4000 rotors with those QFM pads and can highly recommend them. Very strong stopping power now.

Not sure about that,

The standard hoses off standard 380 calipers are different, they will not secure up to the 3rd gen brake lines in the wheels wells from what I saw a few months ago

I beg to differ.

I beg to differ.

fair enough, the bolts that connect between the brake pipes and rubber section must differ between models...