Does anyone make a high-performance front brake caliper for the 8-gen Corollas? I don't necessarily need a Big Brake kit, but something a little better than the single-piston stock caliper would be nice.
I was in your position a few years ago. The 8th generation Corolla is a lightweight car, and then stock calipers already provide enough braking force to lock up the brakes on will if you drive enthusiastically enough.
All you need are better quality pads, stainless steel lines all-around, and a high temperature brake fluid.
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Originally Posted by TURBO Das Automagazin
A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
I was in your position a few years ago. The 8th generation Corolla is a lightweight car, and then stock calipers already provide enough braking force to lock up the brakes on will if you drive enthusiastically enough.
All you need are better quality pads, stainless steel lines all-around, and a high temperature brake fluid.
I installed Hawk HPS pads and EBC Slotted/Dimpled rotors last weekend. I'm still breaking them in (pun noted) so I haven't had a chance to really test them on a high-speed stop. I also got a set of Techna-Fit SS lines that will be installed when I finish my Rear Disk Conversion project.
What brand of fluid do you recommend, of should I just get it from Toyota?
Is your car equipped with ABS? If so, be sure to get the appropriate type.
In terms of brands, I would look at a high quality synthetic fluid from Motul (DOT 5.1) or ATE Super Blue if you want long service life.
But if you want one of the best brake fluids money can buy, track your car regularly and don't mind flushing your brakes every so often, then get Motul RBF 660.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBO Das Automagazin
A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
I would use regular DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid. For local pickup of good brake fluid, I'd recommend Valvoline Synpower Synthetic Brake fluid - but it looks like they don't make it anymore. The stuff they have in the white bottles has lower spec's than the Synpower variant.
ATE Super Blue, Motul RBF 600, and Castrol SRF are some excellent DOT 4 brake fluids that I've used before. Very high minimum dry and wet boiling temps - I personally like the Super Blue as has a light bluish tint that helps tell you when all the old brake fluid is pumped out during and generally found to be cheaper then the others, with similar spec's. I specifically says that it will last about 3 years in the system - there is no mention of that on the others - though, I could be mistake. I only have the ATE bottle in front of me now.
My thoughts exactly. The only real downside I can think of is the blue dye does stain your braking system, even after using it for a few years, some residual color is still left over despite performing a few full flushes with regular brake fluid. ATE TYP 200 is exactly the same as Super Blue, but without the dye (kinda has a goldish tinge to it). I'm currently using it and it's great stuff.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBO Das Automagazin
A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
ABS is not common on the 8th gen Corollas - generally bundled with a specialty package, they would make a pretty big deal about it.
Dash indicators should have an "ABS" lamp instead of a generic "Brake" lamp - when you cycle the ignition key (power on self-test).
Sure fire way is to follow the brake lines - should run from the master cylinder to an ABS actuator (has lots of hard brake lines running from it). Located right below the master cylinder. If you just see a master cylinder and a large metal rectangle right below - secured by a bracket off the brake booster - then you have ABS.
Could always slam on the brakes to see if you get the ABS "pulsing" - but I tend not to recommend that test, just incase you don't have ABS (or even if you have ABS) and loose control of the car.
Here is a good link for brake fluid tech - for those that like to read up on tech articles. From a reputable brake system manufacturer. They also have some good articles in brakes in general. Pros/Cons of slotted/drilled vs plain, bedding in procedures, etc.
My car has that ABS light, but I've had a few necessary panic stops, and locked up at all four corners, with no hint of that pulsing feeling... So I'm guessing that mine is not so equipped.
My car has that ABS light, but I've had a few necessary panic stops, and locked up at all four corners, with no hint of that pulsing feeling... So I'm guessing that mine is not so equipped.
The surefire way to tell is to look at the brake master cylinder. The ABS module on our cars is one with the master cylinder and have a huge 24+ pins plug connected to it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhatRoyale
ATE TYP 200 is exactly the same as Super Blue, but without the dye (kinda has a goldish tinge to it). I'm currently using it and it's great stuff.
Where did you pick up that stuff? I can easily pick up MT-90 in Pac Mall, not so for fancy brake fluids.
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Little Pig - 1999 Corolla LE - Manual Swap - 2001 front end - #138 @ CASC-OR Autoslalom 2012
Big Pig - 1997 Camry LE - need new tires, rear struts and alignment
Skinny Pig - 2010 devinci St-Tropez
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