I saw these in an auto magazine a couple of weeks ago. They claim to have a MINI application. They seem like an easy install. Any comments, pros & cons?

http://tuner01.com/

 

I can't imagine it's for improved functionality... Actually, I would think just the opposite as there would be less air flow through the caliper and pads with such an addition. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think this is purely a bling thing. That is fine of course, but if does negatively impact cooling, that is not good...

 

That's interesting. Seems that it's been popular on motorcycles (http://www.chopperscycle.com/page/VTS/PROD/36-136/15425) for some time and according to this link, the idea of caliper covers for autos isn't new. This company claims that the caliper covers will reduce brake dust buildup as well. Makes me wonder if it would retain heat during tracking.

http://www.harcoonline.com/prod/calCover.asp


This company has one for Wilwoods
http://www.tperformance.com/street_rod_store/brakes/

$250 though is a lot of dough where caliper paint at $60 or less won't have any heat issues--not that I know for a fact there would be in either case.

 

For street use it is probably OK-
Keep brake dust in- however that means it's gonna go all over your calipers.
Wheels will be cleaner
Heat will build up
Bling bling

For autocross or track-
Heat produced at autocross is usually not much- so probably OK
Heat at track is phenomenal- heat on the cover will discolor it or deform it- no kidding- not a good idea.
You want air to cool the calipers no matter how much dust gets produced.
Heat build up in brakes is a bad thing and leads to fade and stress on your brake components as in cracked or warped rotors and pads wearing more.

But what if they shake loose and fall off while you are going? Will they shred up easily or lock up your wheel at the worst time?

If they are very secure then you can take them to autocross but I would take them off for any sort of performance driving. How are they fastened on???

 

Those caliper cover companies claim that it aids with air flow- some of made of billet aluminum and fasten to the mounting areas of the calipers.


I wonder if a simple test could be done. Mount a cover on one side and leave the other caliper stock. Go on the track and do certain number of laps (maybe 10 then 20).

Then stop and measure temperature of brake components on each side with a brake pyrometer and look for evidence of brake dust. Repeat the test for the fronts vs rears. You'd need to measure temps very fast after stopping since everything is cooling off rapidly. I'd do fronts only first then rears only with cool down period in between all runs.

 

Thats a really, really, good point! Some of their examples applications showed attachment via a tiny screw on the top of the cover.... I wouldn't want to be checking their integrity every time I think about going for a drive

 

For us 40+ year old guys... Does "bling bling" mean cheap-looking, tacked-on,
non-functional crap?

 

No - Bling Bling means expensive tacked on nonfunctional CHROME crap. or CF, in this case.

And just FYI - my friend's brembo's turned PURPLE on his EVO the other day. Tracks will do that - it'll be worse with these. Save your money