Brake Upgrade Suggestions?

[Egwanaboy]

Hey all.
I just got a "hankerin" to pretty up the brakes on my VX. I did a search and didn't come up with much on this board (at least I couldn't find it).
Has anyone done an upgrade? Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Egwanaboy

[johnnyapollo]

Saw these on eBay last week:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2423882044

Cross-drilled/vented and zinc coated. Looks like a good deal at $170 for fronts and backs. Maybe we could do a group buy? I was waiting to see how Joe liked them...

I think Dave Sirkin (Cyrk) bought some upgrades as well (search the ClubVMag board).

-- John

[Joe_Black]

Yeah, I'm waiting to see how I like 'em too! Shipping for those puppies was a bit steep at $50 so I'm curious to see where they come from. Also went ahead and ordered a caliper painting kit from Eastwoods so I'll give a review of that and the rotors. Plus I'm looking to do the pads at the same time. After the Ocala meet I began to notice slightly reduced braking power. I've got about 13K miles so I'm curious to see how worn the original pads are. In any case, I'll be sure to post plenty of photos also.

[AlaskaVX]

Hey Joe if you only have 13k I'm sure your pads are fine. I thought my brakes were getting worn at 30,000 then 41,000 and both times I took my wheels off and saw that they were still nearly perfect, I'm don't think I will replace them 'till about 60,000 since I'm sure the SC is going to increase on my wear.

[Joe_Black]

I was hoping it wouldn't be the pads, but I've seen some pretty weak OEM pads. Not typically on an Isuzu, but you never know how much GM influence has been at work!

More than likely I glazed some clay on them while playing in the mud. When I install the new rotors and paint the calipers I'll throw 'em in the blast cabinet for some light texturing to open up the composition.

[Hotsauce]

The Vehicross stock pads are actually Mitsubishi pads and calipers. They match up to one of the earlier Eclipse patterns, I believe its either 90-91, or 91-94.

This means that R4S, and Panther pads should be available, as well as a few other trackworthy compounds.

John C.

[xdfarrx]

I have looked into it as well. Depends how much loot you want to drop. If you want to improve performance then do this...
I had custom made line made at Goodridge in torrance last summer. Steel braided lines are incredible. Brake modulation is unbelievable. They used my vx to spec them for sale to general public. Best mod I did. Total cost was just over $200, installed at my speed shop. Thye gave me a good rate cause they used my car to spec them out. Other option is the all out trip- Brembro has a kit that is a bolt on kit. Rotors,lines, whole deal. About $5000. If you want a nice look you can go drilled or slotted rotors only. However the (stock)dual vented rotors are actually really good from what I have been told. The drilled is for gas build up and release, and the slotted does the same, as I understand.

[Joe_Black]

Braided lines are nice, but you could've saved yourself some bucks by building it yourself. Then again, $200 ain't all that bad considering someone else did it. I wish I had seen THESE before I bought the eBay rotors. Oh well, live and learn!

[Hotsauce]

I am working on an upgrade to use PBR 2 piston calipers(corvette) on stock front rotors. I'll post the info when I'm happy with how it works.

Out of liability concerns I will NOT be offering a kit, just posting the information on what I did.

John C.

[VehiX]

Originally posted by Hotsauce
I am working on an upgrade to use PBR 2 piston calipers(corvette) on stock front rotors. I'll post the info when I'm happy with how it works.

Out of liability concerns I will NOT be offering a kit, just posting the information on what I did.

John C.

Isn't it more suitable to increase the performance of the rear brakes on the VX?

[xdfarrx]

I could of made them myself, yes. The consideration that let the pro's do it was- there is a 'special' T that you have to have/build to connect the soft and hard lines, on the rear axle. That had to be specially fab'd.as they never made one for the VX. You probably know there isn't alot of soft line. As well, brakes+3995 lb car+BRAKES+failure??(haven't made to many lines myself)+BRAKES= For 200 clams. Makes sense to me pony up 200 big ones. I'd rather let the big dogs do there thing.
As far as the performance- totally solid. ABS is more active which is kind of wierd. Much more dive on hard braking. And pedal modulation was much more sensitive.
Rotor and caliper upgrades would be smooth. Lot of cheddar though...good luck on the project

[Egwanaboy]

Hey, Thanks to all for the info!
I guess I need to expand on this question. I've looked at Caliper paint kits, but any suggestions on covers (if there are such a thing) or even replacement calipers with both performance and "bling"?
-Egwanaboy

[paultvx]

Originally posted by VehiX
Isn't it more suitable to increase the performance of the rear brakes on the VX?

Nope. Most of the braking work is done by the front in all vehicles... regardless of 4wd, or 2wd. That's why you almost never see any big brake upgrade kits for the rear of sports cars.

There isn't a Brembo bolt-on kit. Brembo database only shows crossdrilled or slotted front rotors for the Isuzu Hombre and Oasis.

However... if the VXs brakes are actually 1st generation Mistu Eclipse brakes like Hotsauce mentioned... then we're damn lucky. There are a few big brake kits (13") available. Would look great for those with 18"s. Stoptech has a complete kit and is available from Diamond Star Specialties @ dss-racing.com. AEM has complete kits and replacement rotors. Bear has two kits, one with the 2 piston caliper, and one with Alcon four piston (over $2000).

Here's a link to what's available and it has links to the retailers. http://www.dsmtuners.com/parts/default.php?cPath=2_49

Kind of strange that Isuzu used brakes from a 2500lb sports car to stop a 4000lb truck. Puzzling. The stock pad, however, are probably the best OEM pads I've ever had on a truck. The Grand Cherokee I had a few years back had squealing brakes at 10k miles. No squeals from the VX so far.

Misc. brake related links:

www.baer.com
www.kvrperformance.com
www.stoptech.com

[MrCrowley]

Not to hype up Isuzu too much, but I have never been anything but impressed with at least the brakes among other things on all 4 Isuzus I have owned. 88 trooper went to 93000 miles when I did my first tire and brake replace! 93 trooper was bought high miles, never did anything. 98 trooper still in the barn has 70000 miles and still has at least 1/3 brake pad left with nice rotors (5000+ lb truck) and driven fairly spiritedly. I figure the same brakes on the VX will last better due to lighter vehicle weight vs. driving styles. I would definitely be interested in a brake kit for both also. Good luck finding new stuff for you Zoozu's

[paultvx]

Come to think of it, assuming the stock bits are Mitsu pieces, the big brake kits may not work. The lines most likely won't work. The mounting adapter probably won't either since the two vehicles have different mounting locations (offset from mounting surface) in relation to their rotors. But, it'd be easy to CNC new adapters based on the ones included in the kit).

I would strongly recommend that you use a larger rotor though. With the 4 piston caliper + stock rotor combo, you won't see much increase in brake performance... you might even decrease it. Larger pad means more friction and heat. The stock rotor might not be up to the task and warp.