Big Brake Upgrade Need Help!!!

trninhds said:

Well I was going to wait and take pictures for a DIY but ive run into a problem that my friends, ksport, and I cant answer for sure. Like the title says my Kport Big Brake Kit, front and rear, yes i said REAR, comes in next week. The fronts are pretty much bold on but the rears are a more complicated. The rear kit is the first one for a gen4 camry so I know im going to run into some problems. Kport has been helpfull but even there not sure of everything I need as well as possible problems.

Im preparing a shopping list for parts and want to make sure I have everything before next week. Ive been researching for sometime now. Now new hubs are a must obviously but as far as the other parts im not quite sure on what i really need.

Anyone that knows or have done this swap please help!!!!

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Hubs? what do you need hubs for?

I got the Stoptech kit for the front and everything fit perfect. the only mod i needed where 7mm spacers ( cause of my rim offset and spoke design) and different Lugnuts ( SPecial conical seat ones :naughty: ) and thats it.

ya but what about the rears. It will be a drum to big brake kit swap....

so basically you're going to have to remove the old stuff and replace it with rear disc brake stuff.
you can go to a junk yard and look for a gen 4 with rear disc assembly and jack that. That's assuming ksport bolts onto the oem mounts.

Were you the one that bought from IIM in the vendors section? Maybe you can answer my question about how you plan on properly maintaining brake bias. Do you have a custom proportioning valve? And if you do, what ratio front/rear do you have it set at?

and can you give more info regarding the difference in the rear disc setup versus the front? e.g. disc diameter, caliper size, etc.

there was a pretty common drum-to-disc conversion thread on here a couple years back - you might try searching for it. short list is as follows:
new backing plates
new bearings
disc ebrake cables
calipers and all mounting hardware
discs
fresh pads, shoes
brake hoses

now, since you're getting a big brake KIT, shit's not gonna be totally lost. you're into engineer-land, and there are a few of us here. all YOU should really need are rear disc backing plates and brake hoses. brake hoses may not be an issue either, but maybe call Russell or another manufacturer and ask for specs. May as well go braided, you know? Getting junkyard rear knuckles should include backing plate/knuckle, bearing, hub, and you can ask for the brake calipers and cables if you really aren't sure. try the 3rd gen camrys and solaras/avalons too, the rears are probably the same.

DarkMastyr said:

Were you the one that bought from IIM in the vendors section? Maybe you can answer my question about how you plan on properly maintaining brake bias. Do you have a custom proportioning valve? And if you do, what ratio front/rear do you have it set at?

and can you give more info regarding the difference in the rear disc setup versus the front? e.g. disc diameter, caliper size, etc.

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Yes i was the one that bought the kits from IIM. Im looking into a custom proportioning valve right now for the brake bias. I dont have all the info yet so i'de have to get back to you. Ill post some about the difference tonight because i have to talk to ksport again

96CamrySport said:

there was a pretty common drum-to-disc conversion thread on here a couple years back - you might try searching for it. short list is as follows:
new backing plates
new bearings
disc ebrake cables
calipers and all mounting hardware
discs
fresh pads, shoes
brake hoses

now, since you're getting a big brake KIT, shit's not gonna be totally lost. you're into engineer-land, and there are a few of us here. all YOU should really need are rear disc backing plates and brake hoses. brake hoses may not be an issue either, but maybe call Russell or another manufacturer and ask for specs. May as well go braided, you know? Getting junkyard rear knuckles should include backing plate/knuckle, bearing, hub, and you can ask for the brake calipers and cables if you really aren't sure. try the 3rd gen camrys and solaras/avalons too, the rears are probably the same.

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Thats what i thought, i have everything except for the backing plates and ebrade line. As far as i know right now ksport is supposed to send ss brake lines for the rear. Exaclty which ones i dont know, ill find out tonight. Im sure ill have more questions after i talk to ksport tonight. Also they said something about the master cylinder...

Just got finished talking to ksport. A custom proportioning valve is not necessary because the front/rear brake bias is supposed to be close to stock have both front and rear bbk's. As far as the rears, they are putting a custom rear pair on a camry next week to try and see how things go. Hopefully smoothly and i'll have a parts list. Ill keep everyone posted...DIY maybe

Im ignorant... but why would you need a big brake kit unless your car is producing massive amounts of power? I looked at the Brembos, $2000 EACH for front and rear... alot of money to spend if you dont really need em

its better to be prepared first before putting on the power or he likes his brakes big lol.

It's nothing to do with how much power you're making. It's not like you're on the gas and brakes at the same time (unless you're left foot braking through turns, which is a whole different story). Bigger brakes allow for less fade due to increased surface area for cooling (beneficial if you do auto-x or if you're doing a mountain run, for example), but also have the downside of locking up easier if not properly set up. People also do it for show. When you have 17/18" wheels with stock disc/drums, it can look a bit silly to some people.

felonyr301 said:

its better to be prepared first before putting on the power or he likes his brakes big lol.

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Exactly, my car is prepared for anything as it is now

Theres a lot of reasons why to buy a bbk. I just would like to be able to stop when i have more power....

Shiiit I'll be proud to have just a big brake kit and a stock 5sfe lol I can at least say I stop faster than almost anyone here in NYC well I can actually buy it but the coilovers come first and regardless my struts are blown and probably need strut mounts too and stuff so coilovers makes more sense for me now.

It's nothing to do with how much power you're making. It's not like you're on the gas and brakes at the same time (unless you're left foot braking through turns, which is a whole different story). Bigger brakes allow for less fade due to increased surface area for cooling (beneficial if you do auto-x or if you're doing a mountain run, for example), but also have the downside of locking up easier if not properly set up. People also do it for show. When you have 17/18" wheels with stock disc/drums, it can look a bit silly to some people.

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Well you only see BBK's on powerful cars... there must be a reason, whether its because they are more inclined to take it to the track or whatever, I dunno. N e way, I understand it would reduce fade etc, but personally at least the cost greatly outweighs the benefits... I would be more inclined to upgrade my brake lines to stainless steel etc and buy some decent pads, alot cheaper, and all the gains you will need for street purposes. In 4cyls with rear drums, alittle more understandable upgrading, but a rear disc conversion would be cheaper wouldnt it, certainly couldnt be more then the entire $4g's for BB allround.

And what are the gains really like? Ive always THOUGHT that the main benefits of BB is at high speeds, more pistons means greater braking ability and more resistance against fade etc. Whilst at lower street speeds, it will help alittle, but when it comes to stopping distance in an emergency situation for eg, once ABS kicks in... the gains wouldnt be as much

You have a point but its all going to come down to personal preference in the end. There are tons of reasons why to upgrade to a bbk. 1# stopping power of course at all speeds. My car sees occasional track time just for fun so theres another reason. Upgrading pads, rotors, and lines are not going to make that much difference with a good amount of hp. You would be replacing them all the time. The brake upgrade is needed before the engine swap in my opinion. I assure you i did not spend 4g's thats about what you would pay for rotora's kits. Some people will never understand and probably hate on this but its not for everyone....Not to bash on you of course

^

Yeah fair enough... dont get me wrong either, if I added any decent amount of power I would be one of the first to look at a BBK... they do add to your stopping ability and look alot better :thumbup:

Good luck with your brakes :thumbup:

Thanks man, I know i'll be needing it because there will be problems i assume....:thumbdown

how much did you spend for both kits then? I thought for k-sport bbk one would spend about $3500-4000 for it!