Ireland Engineering Big Brake Upgrade
Ireland Engineering Big Brake Upgrade
Anybody have it or seen it?
https://secure17.nexternal.com/share...products%2Easp
I am interetsed but would like to know more from "users" than the site description:
New Product - This kit uses the factory caliper which is relocated to accept a much larger rotor. This is an economical way to increase braking. Requires 17" wheels. Kit includes 324mm (12.75")diameter vented rotors with billet aluminum center, mounting brackets, hardware, and Stainless Steel braided hoses. This is a "bolt on" and does not require any special tools. This kit fit all the factory 17" wheels with out spacers.
I'm not into the BBK look, just looking for a performance upgrade, but I'd still be interested in a picture or two.
Derek
https://secure17.nexternal.com/share...products%2Easp
I am interetsed but would like to know more from "users" than the site description:
New Product - This kit uses the factory caliper which is relocated to accept a much larger rotor. This is an economical way to increase braking. Requires 17" wheels. Kit includes 324mm (12.75")diameter vented rotors with billet aluminum center, mounting brackets, hardware, and Stainless Steel braided hoses. This is a "bolt on" and does not require any special tools. This kit fit all the factory 17" wheels with out spacers.
I'm not into the BBK look, just looking for a performance upgrade, but I'd still be interested in a picture or two.
Derek
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,431
Likes: 0
From: Boerne/SAtown TX
after 20K my brakes are getting a little wornout, nothing serious yet, i still have 4-5K left, so i will be following this, unless somebody gets a group buy on a BBK, i am considering this against JCW brake kit. Ireland Engineering is pretty serious company, i remember talking to them, they are very knowledgable, did you try Todd? he is around here, and listed under vendors. Let me know Derek, we are both in SA, remember
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,301
Likes: 1
This is an interesting alternative. I was surprised a little by the price - $625.00. Todds 11.75 kit - with directional racing rotors, not garden variety venting - includes the lines, aluminum hats, SS lines, pads AND a the 4 piston caliper for about $1,000.00.
Interesting trade-off. $400.00 is $400.00 though.
Interesting trade-off. $400.00 is $400.00 though.
My little dose of LITHIUM
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Having just gone the TCE route, I'd say that you get what you pay for, with a little random noise thrown in. Brembo and AP Racing are expensive but big name kits. The TCE is a full kit at a reasonable price ($1700 for all 4 corners.) The Powerslot and other kits that use stock calipers are less expensive, but you don't get everything you get with the other kits, so they should be cheaper.
There are differences between all these options, including braking on the track, weight, and bling. Thanks to differences in tastes, all the kits are selling to MINI owners!
cheers,
There are differences between all these options, including braking on the track, weight, and bling. Thanks to differences in tastes, all the kits are selling to MINI owners!
cheers,
I think that this is one of the most expensive dumbest mods around. Someone please tell me anything benificial that this thing would offer, especially for that kind of money.
Yikes .....
Yikes .....
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,926
Likes: 40
From: Greensboro, NC
I don't buy it...moving a standard caliper designed for a specific diameter rotor outwards changes the friction interface with the pads. One, I'm not sure what this will do to the pad and two, how does this improve braking other than moving the fulcrum point outwards from center. This is an improvement but it still has the same contact area as it is using the same stock pad surface area. To improve braking for less money, I'd buy stock sized slotted rotors and better pads...unless it's the expedient way of getting a BBK "look" that you're after 
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4th Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by MSFITOY
I don't buy it...moving a standard caliper designed for a specific diameter rotor outwards changes the friction interface with the pads. One, I'm not sure what this will do to the pad and two, how does this improve braking other than moving the fulcrum point outwards from center.
Is it worth it? Is it even a noticeable difference? I've got no idea. But in theory it might make some improvement.
For my money, though, I'd put better pads and rotors on and save up for a real big brake kit if I felt my brakes weren't adequate.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,926
Likes: 40
From: Greensboro, NC
Originally Posted by SpunkytheTuna
Well, yes and maybe. One of the things it does is to increase the swept area of the brake because of the larger diameter rotor. That would tend to reduce the heat on the disc. The larger diameter rotor also gives greater leverage, which would to some degree increase the effectiveness of the brakes. It's like using a longer lever with the same fulcrum point to move a rock. The longer lever gives you more multiplication of your force.
Is it worth it? Is it even a noticeable difference? I've got no idea. But in theory it might make some improvement.
For my money, though, I'd put better pads and rotors on and save up for a real big brake kit if I felt my brakes weren't adequate.
Is it worth it? Is it even a noticeable difference? I've got no idea. But in theory it might make some improvement.
For my money, though, I'd put better pads and rotors on and save up for a real big brake kit if I felt my brakes weren't adequate.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,446
Likes: 10
From: L.A ca
Well this is going to be interesting.I do not sell these and we do not plan on adding them to our line but I actually have the items in question and have put about 18k miles on them in the last year. My reasons for going this route are perhaps different than most. My show/ street wheels are very brake unfriendly. I was at Brembo when I first got the car and the tech calculated that I would need 25 mm spacers to make them fit. Well I am old school when it comes to spacers and 2.5 mm is too much for me so those were out of the question. I wanted better braking but did not want to give up my wheels. I tried slotted and drilled and burned through 2 sets. Drilled do not like the track or Tuna Canyon for that matter. When these became available and we realized that they would fit my wheels with NO spacers and I decided to give them a try. They also work with stock S lites and I do not know of many brake kits that do.
Performance wise where I noticed a change is in brake fade or lack thereof . You do use the same calipers but the added mass of material helps dissipate the heat. Also the leverage factor mentioned in earlier posts also helps the performance. I liked the fact that I was making a change at both ends of the car and not just bolting a BBK on the front . I know the front does the lion's share of the work but when I hit them hard the whole car squats in a uniform manner and not just diving in the front. I believe there is a upgrade to willwood calipers available for those that prefer that but it would have put me back into " spacer ville " again.
To sum it up I think these are aimed at people that may want to upgrade their brake performance a degree, still use stock wheels or ones that have a hard time with BBK and yes even those just going for the look. Hope this helps shed some light on the subject.
With regards to the pictures I took them overly bright so you can see more detail of the rotors.
Randy
M7 Tuning
Performance wise where I noticed a change is in brake fade or lack thereof . You do use the same calipers but the added mass of material helps dissipate the heat. Also the leverage factor mentioned in earlier posts also helps the performance. I liked the fact that I was making a change at both ends of the car and not just bolting a BBK on the front . I know the front does the lion's share of the work but when I hit them hard the whole car squats in a uniform manner and not just diving in the front. I believe there is a upgrade to willwood calipers available for those that prefer that but it would have put me back into " spacer ville " again.
To sum it up I think these are aimed at people that may want to upgrade their brake performance a degree, still use stock wheels or ones that have a hard time with BBK and yes even those just going for the look. Hope this helps shed some light on the subject.
With regards to the pictures I took them overly bright so you can see more detail of the rotors.
Randy
M7 Tuning
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,926
Likes: 40
From: Greensboro, NC
Well hell Randy...I take my words back now that I know you're using them
Good to hear from someone with actual experience with this product. Certainly gives me another perspective to look at...
Good to hear from someone with actual experience with this product. Certainly gives me another perspective to look at...
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally Posted by maxmini
The theory is that the more mass ( bigger rotor ) you have the longer it will take to get hot and the quicker it will dissapate the heat. Thats the idea anyway.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,446
Likes: 10
From: L.A ca
He said he was more used to the immediate halt at the initiation of the braking procedure of his stop tech setup in his mini. His car is also a bit lighter than mine. He did not see any fade just that there was not the same big hit when you first mash the pedal.
Randy
M7 Tuning
Randy
M7 Tuning
Last edited by maxmini; Feb 10, 2006 at 12:14 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,343
Likes: 4
From: South Bend Indiana
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Anyone else have any new input on this brake upgrade? I need front and back rotors soon on my daily driver and cant decide if I should just stay stock size since I am still job hunting or if I should go this route. Stock size does look a little silly on the 19's though. The other 4-corner kits are too expensive right now and are not an option (underlined to deter more expensive kit reccommendations), so this may be the only way to go.
Manufacturer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Well this is going to be interesting.I do not sell these and we do not plan on adding them to our line but I actually have the items in question and have put about 18k miles on them in the last year. My reasons for going this route are perhaps different than most. My show/ street wheels are very brake unfriendly. I was at Brembo when I first got the car and the tech calculated that I would need 25 mm spacers to make them fit. Well I am old school when it comes to spacers and 2.5 mm is too much for me so those were out of the question. I wanted better braking but did not want to give up my wheels. I tried slotted and drilled and burned through 2 sets. Drilled do not like the track or Tuna Canyon for that matter. When these became available and we realized that they would fit my wheels with NO spacers and I decided to give them a try. They also work with stock S lites and I do not know of many brake kits that do.
Performance wise where I noticed a change is in brake fade or lack thereof . You do use the same calipers but the added mass of material helps dissipate the heat. Also the leverage factor mentioned in earlier posts also helps the performance. I liked the fact that I was making a change at both ends of the car and not just bolting a BBK on the front . I know the front does the lion's share of the work but when I hit them hard the whole car squats in a uniform manner and not just diving in the front. I believe there is a upgrade to willwood calipers available for those that prefer that but it would have put me back into " spacer ville " again.
To sum it up I think these are aimed at people that may want to upgrade their brake performance a degree, still use stock wheels or ones that have a hard time with BBK and yes even those just going for the look. Hope this helps shed some light on the subject.
With regards to the pictures I took them overly bright so you can see more detail of the rotors.
Randy
M7 Tuning
Performance wise where I noticed a change is in brake fade or lack thereof . You do use the same calipers but the added mass of material helps dissipate the heat. Also the leverage factor mentioned in earlier posts also helps the performance. I liked the fact that I was making a change at both ends of the car and not just bolting a BBK on the front . I know the front does the lion's share of the work but when I hit them hard the whole car squats in a uniform manner and not just diving in the front. I believe there is a upgrade to willwood calipers available for those that prefer that but it would have put me back into " spacer ville " again.
To sum it up I think these are aimed at people that may want to upgrade their brake performance a degree, still use stock wheels or ones that have a hard time with BBK and yes even those just going for the look. Hope this helps shed some light on the subject.
With regards to the pictures I took them overly bright so you can see more detail of the rotors.
Randy
M7 Tuning
Another thing to consider is many brake mfg's make an upgraded pad for the stock calipers so there are many choices as far as pad material goes. The feel of the pedal is like stock but it stops like crazy!