brake upgrade 850 T-5 modified Auto

Post by **charlyW** » 03 Jun 2010, 15:37

Now I've modified my RHD 855 T-5 to 285 bhp I need to upgrade the brakes because the genuine Volvo ones are now next to useless.

Had the car three months replaced the brake pads and discs with genuine Volvo along with genuine Volvo fluid as the car has never stopped in a way I want. Fitted new sport springs today I've found the rear discs are below the wear limit and the fronts are close, both front and rear have been over heating and these are the genuine Volvo [I won't be using genuine Volvo again]

I do brake very late due to my driving style which doesn't help on the cheaper disc/pad combo so suggestions would be appreciated along with if anyone knows if the big brake conversion along with its big price tag is really worth the money ?

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 03 Jun 2010, 18:00

The best thing to do is either get a set of S60R/V70R brembo calipers and rotors or a big break kit. I think the SR/VR calipers and rotors with the adapter kit would be cheapest and give you the same braking as a big break kit.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 03 Jun 2010, 18:31

I've always had a theory that our front, single piston calipers simply can't grab the rotors hard enough. My girl friend's bimmer has 6 piston front calipers and that car STOPS.

Keep us posted as my brakes have never made me happy and I am gonna follow this thread closely.

zhenya · Post by **zhenya** » 04 Jun 2010, 07:31

Short of upgrading to a very expensive multi-piston brake set, the best thing you can do is use good quality rotors - OEM, Brembo, DBA, etc. and even more important, good pads! The brake pad is the single largest factor in your braking power. If you want more power, you need to go with a better pad - although realize that this may have other side affects, such as more dust, more noise, poor cold stopping power, etc. My recommendation would be Hawk HPS. Larger rotors have a very minimal effect on stopping distance - their main advantage is the additional surface area to better dissipate heat - not something that is typically a consideration on the street.

Now, of course you have to be certain that the rest of your system is in good shape as well - fresh fluid, fully functioning calipers, etc. but there is no reason your 850 shouldn't have more than adequate brakes for any street use.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 04 Jun 2010, 09:13

If you’re stopping late, that means you’re also stopping hard. That means lots of heat is generated which can cause fade. So you want to make sure you’re dissipating the heat as best as possible. Slotted or cross-drilled rotors help with that. Ceramic or carbon fiber pads will handle the heat better. Steel braided brake lines will prevent the “mushiness” that you can get from rubber lines (especially old ones).

I just glanced over at EuroSport Tuning and they’re selling a front brake kit for $2,200 bucks. Hefty price tag but it looks like you get what you pay for. Without doing the math, I’m guessing the big dollar amount is going for the Porsche calipers and Porsche rotors. Is it really worth the money? No, not in my opinion – but then I’ve never used ‘em and I don’t race hard so I don’t need ‘em. Does my manly ego want them? You bet!

If you can’t drop that kind of coin, I’d go with very good pads, then very good rotors, then the steel lines and fresh fluid.

If you go with bigger rotors, that means you’ll need to get a bracket to relocate the calipers (or just go and get big, new calipers). A bigger rotor without getting bigger pads doesn’t make any sense. Bigger pads would dictate the need for bigger calipers to hold them (unless somebody knows of bigger pads that fit in the factory calipers?!) so I’d stick with the standard size rotor.

zhenya · Post by **zhenya** » 04 Jun 2010, 09:31

vjaneczko, I'd have to disagree. Slotting and/or drilling rotors won't help with fade; they are cosmetic features only - put the money into better pads instead. http://www.circuitmotorsports.net/index ... s_id=20821

It is possible to use a slightly larger factory rotor with the stock size calipers and pads - it requires a different caliper mounting bracket and many of the usual Volvo parts suppliers sell this as a complete kit.

Post by **charlyW** » 04 Jun 2010, 11:20

FCPGroton wrote:The best thing to do is either get a set of S60R/V70R brembo calipers and rotors or a big break kit. I think the SR/VR calipers and rotors with the adapter kit would be cheapest and give you the same braking as a big break kit.

Can you quote me for those parts sent to the UK ? Or at least let me know which Model I need to get them off?

Charlotte