Here are pics of the results of my install with my WCF 12" brake upgrade. Along with this I also installed Porterfield R4-S pads and Motul DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid. It is a carry-on of this thread https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/029883.html
Heres the pics:
Front:
Rear:
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07:56 PM
PFF
System Bot
AkursedX Member
Posts: 2890 From: Lackawanna NY Registered: Aug 2000
Well I have only driven the car around the block so I have not been able to gain much of an opinion yet, but there are a few things that I can say about the install.
First, they look great, this is definietly a goog looking mod for those of us with large rims.
I feel like I have more pedal travel then what I had. I think it might be more to do with the fluid than anything else. But it definietly does stop well, better than what it did before.
As for the install, it is very easy, everything fit the way it was supposed to. The only things that were unexpected were that I had to remove the dust shields in order for the rotors to fit without rubbing. I probably could have bent them back, but they still would have been too close for my liking. It will probably breathe better without them. Also, I had to adjust my parking brake cable because of the shift in the rotor. Those are about the only two things that were not expected, but were easy things to take care of.
Overall, I am pleased with the install and the results.
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08:07 PM
rube Member
Posts: 165 From: Indianapolis, IN Registered: Sep 2002
Hmmm They look amazing... But i wonder if MIKE in his 3.8-s/c would have better results on the track. The holes in the rotors... do look really close to the edge... i wonder if they would be ok... and not WARP!
CAN SOMEONE TELL ME how much they are?
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09:11 PM
Azarael Member
Posts: 949 From: Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA Registered: Jan 2002
I like. Were those rotors plated or painted? Seems to me that some of the holes from cross-drilling are awfully close to the edge of the rotor.
I painted the rotors with 1200-degree silver paint so it'll prevent rusting somewhat.
I know a few people have mentioned the drill-holes cloes to the edge of the rotor. They don't look as close in person as they look in the picture, but as for warping, I will just have to wait and see. It wouldn't suprise me if I have rotor trouble down the road, but until my 87GT is up and running, I have been forced to take it really easy on this car because I can't afford to break down. But after that car is up and running, I am definietly going to have to auto-x this car to really see how good these brakes are.
I took the car out for a spirited drive this evening though and these brakes definietly stop better and fade is pretty much non-exsistent.
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10:09 PM
rockcrawl Member
Posts: 2528 From: Lehigh Valley, PA Registered: Jul 2000
I have the 12" Corvette rotors on my Formula. After driving with them and getting back into an '84-87 with stock brakes, you realize how bad the stock brakes are.
Hey, almost the same wheels too!
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10:14 PM
PFF
System Bot
MOBILE Member
Posts: 768 From: Linwood, MN, USA Registered: May 2002
First, they look great, this is definietly a goog looking mod for those of us with large rims.
I feel like I have more pedal travel then what I had. I think it might be more to do with the fluid than anything else. But it definietly does stop well, better than what it did before.
Overall, I am pleased with the install and the results.
I don't know much about the fluid you used, I have the same upgrade and installed the steel brake lines at the time too, looks like you have them also. I noticed that i had less travel and firmer pedal feel, are you sure you got out all the air in the lines?? all it takes is a little bubble of air it give you that longer travel.. and how did you brake in your Porterfields??
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10:48 PM
AkursedX Member
Posts: 2890 From: Lackawanna NY Registered: Aug 2000
I don't know much about the fluid you used, I have the same upgrade and installed the steel brake lines at the time too, looks like you have them also. I noticed that i had less travel and firmer pedal feel, are you sure you got out all the air in the lines?? all it takes is a little bubble of air it give you that longer travel.. and how did you brake in your Porterfields??
I will probably bleed it again just to make sure, I might still have some air in the system, especially since I still had to rebuild one of my calipers. If the pedal stays the same, I would attribute it to the different fluid because nothing else changed. I usually bleed the brakes twice anyways.
I will probably bleed it again just to make sure, I might still have some air in the system, especially since I still had to rebuild one of my calipers. If the pedal stays the same, I would attribute it to the different fluid because nothing else changed. I usually bleed the brakes twice anyways.
did anyone tell you how to break-in your Porterfields, it's different than stock pads?
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12:27 AM
Standard Member
Posts: 4667 From: St. Cloud, MN Registered: Apr 99
Looks good but won't the paint on the rotors melt off at high braking temps and contaminate the brake pads? I personally would never paint the braking surface of a rotor, that's a part you want to keep clean.
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05:07 AM
Sleeper Member
Posts: 726 From: Torrance, Ca Registered: Mar 2000
Looks good but won't the paint on the rotors melt off at high braking temps and contaminate the brake pads? I personally would never paint the braking surface of a rotor, that's a part you want to keep clean.
most people don't like the seeing stock brakes looking rusty, why would you want to do that to some big brakes? they look and stay clean when they are painted. the paint will disappear where the pads touch the rotors because of the heat, everywhere else on the rotor should be fine as long as he cleaned the rotors good before painting them.
------------------ 3800 Supercharged w/ some mods sig tuning by: Kameo Kid
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09:37 AM
banditbalz Member
Posts: 2070 From: Barrie Ontario Canada Registered: May 2000
Looks good but won't the paint on the rotors melt off at high braking temps and contaminate the brake pads? I personally would never paint the braking surface of a rotor, that's a part you want to keep clean.
After painting, I cleaned off the braking surface of the rotor to prevent that problem. Everything else is painted over though.
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11:06 AM
AkursedX Member
Posts: 2890 From: Lackawanna NY Registered: Aug 2000
It gets better... no sunroof and a kick'n stereo. This machine is one of my favorites.
Joe, conrats on the problem free install! Hope to see ya at the GTA show in Niagara Falls.
I am on my way out to the garage for my own stock brake job (new calipers, rotors, pads, sliders). Now I need to get larger rims for a C4 brake swap.
Thanks for the comments George. Hopefully I'll be at the GTA show. Work has been hectic this year so I don't know what I'm doing yet. Also, what day is the Mapleview meets? Tuesdays or Wednesdays? I might try to make a few of those.
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11:12 AM
banditbalz Member
Posts: 2070 From: Barrie Ontario Canada Registered: May 2000
AkursedX: I must know, what did you use to attach the stainless lines to the control arm? I ask because I'm using nylon fasteners and I don't expect them to last.
Rockcrawl: Why didn't you attach the stainless lines to the control arms?
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03:42 PM
AkursedX Member
Posts: 2890 From: Lackawanna NY Registered: Aug 2000
AkursedX: I must know, what did you use to attach the stainless lines to the control arm? I ask because I'm using nylon fasteners and I don't expect them to last.
All I have are the nylon fasteners that came with the lines. They have been on almost 20k now with no problems.
Any way you could get a close-up of the fasteners? Mine did not come with them but if the ones I have look like yours I shall resign myself to contentment.
another take on fasteners, I used a metal one the was rubber coated on the part that goes around the stainless line, but I cut a piece of vacuum hose to put around the line first to keep is snug inside the clamp.. worked out fine.. I didn't like the nylon due to some slipage and didn't think it would last.. I may be wrong about the nylon but the metal ones gave me a better install
Where did you get the metal? The autoparts stores here don't have them on the shelves and the high school dropouts behind the counter only offer blank stares when asked.
Where did you get the metal? The autoparts stores here don't have them on the shelves and the high school dropouts behind the counter only offer blank stares when asked.
I got them from a small hardware store in the next town, but you may be able to get them at a Handyman Hardware or some place like that.. If you can't find them there send me a PM and I'll see if i can get you more info on them..
[This message has been edited by Kameo Kid (edited 06-12-2003).]
Next, what is the minimum wheel size that is required with those brakes?
17" wheels minimum, there may be some 16" wheels out there that may work but that would really be pushing it
------------------ ( the above was the thoughts, views, and opinions of a disgruntled Fiero mechanic, and do not express or imply those of West Coast Fiero, Fieros West, or any other organization - just that of this poor bastard ) :) Eric Nelson Technician, West Coast Fiero 310-305-4111
