FABCAR Dual M/C Questions...

NoLift911 · 05-03-2005, 10:34 AM

I was interested in this for my 84 Carrera. I have the Brembo GTP kit and have not upgraded my M/C yet. For $800 the FABCAR setup is pricey but seems like it should solve any soft pedal or balance issues that I may have with the GTP kit. At least it offers bias flexibility whereas the 930 M/C does not.

SmartRacing does not recommend this for a street car (dunno why)

Anybody have this on a street car. My car is more street than track but am leaning to dedicated track in the future - I would like to cover all my brake issues for good and not have to revisit should I decide to track the car.

With the Fabcar setup do I need a new pedal cluster? Is it completely bolt in? Is the kit complete? I have read some threads where fabrication/welding may be necessary? Tough to tell if this is just for an early car 77 and earlier? Any one done this on an 84?

Who is the best retail source to get this from?

Any help/advice appreciated...I plan to document the install with pics and writeup for others who want to head down this path.

Thanks,

-Jeff

Jeff Alton · 05-03-2005, 12:09 PM

I also have the GTP kit, with a turbo MC. Hard pedal, end of story. However, it does seem a little front biased. I am on the track in a couple of weeks and will wait until after that event to see if I need an adjustable PV. Tilton PV is cheap in comparison to a dual MC though.

Jeff

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Jeff & Jeff, The turbo m/c is the way to go unless there are bias issues w/ the GTPs.

The GTPs are definitely very front biased if they ship w/ the preproduction #s that I recieved i.e. 40/44f 30/28r

No one has reported the actual shipped sizes(despite repeated requests)

A p/v does absolutely no good when the front has too much bias.

The dual m/c set up lacks warning circuits and is as a result not street legal.

The Fabcar twin setup uses stock pedals, and is a straight bolt in for an '84(or any power brake 911)

NoLift911 · 05-03-2005, 01:20 PM

Thanks Bill as always the Brake Meister...

I have been one of the bad dawgs that did not report back once I got the kit. I need to do that.

I called about the FABCAR kit and they said it was not a totally bolt in application - need to remove the heater control tubes and a few other things...

Curious if anyone has done the install ona later car for exactly what is involved.

Warning circuits? Brake lights? Not sure what you mean by warning circuits.

-Jeff

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

I guess it depends on what your def of bolt on is, they do want some mods to the car. The biggie is the brace to the rollcage

Yes, brake light switches and low fluid level warning

Jeff Alton · 05-03-2005, 02:03 PM

The fronts are most definietly 44/40. I will measure the rears tonite and post right here!

Cheers, Jeff

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Jeff, That would be very helpful

doozer · doozer's Garage

Bill, I have some GTP's in a box in my living room, what am I measuring for you?

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

piston diamater both fronts and both rears

We need the bottom measurement

Not the top

doozer · doozer's Garage

does that require taking it apart?

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

You would have to remove the outer seals.

If you have the anti-squeal spiders, the piston size is marked on them, just pop the pads out

doozer · doozer's Garage

Ok, I will check them out tonight..

Jeff Alton · 05-03-2005, 08:34 PM

Like I said, the fronts are 44/40, do not have time tonite to take apart a rear...... I will try tomorrow. If Todd has his in a box it may be easier for him to measure the rears.......

Jeff

Quicksilver · 05-04-2005, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nolift911
SmartRacing does not recommend this for a street car (dunno why)

Anybody have this on a street car. My car is more street than track but am leaning to dedicated track in the future - I would like to cover all my brake issues for good and not have to revisit should I decide to track the car.

With the Fabcar setup do I need a new pedal cluster? Is it completely bolt in? Is the kit complete? I have read some threads where fabrication/welding may be necessary? Tough to tell if this is just for an early car 77 and earlier? Any one done this on an 84?

I have it on my 87 and there is no way I would go back. I got rid of the power brake booster and the stupid proportioning valve. I now have a pedal that is solid as a rock (much less travel and modulates better).

Not sure why they wouldn't recommend it for a street car. Maybe it is too much liability and it might be a bit much for people to try different sized master cylinders matched to the calipers or to get the pedal effort where they want it.

The unit doesn't require reinforcement on a Carrera. If you are running an extremely high effort pedal then it should be braced to a strut bar or cage.

As far as installation... Here is a link to the install instructions.
There are two outlet ports on the Tilton master cylinders. Their intent is to give you some choice on line routing and to use one for the line and one for a bleeder. The threads are SAE so I had a hose made up that goes from the SAE to the reverse flared metric fittings on the hardline (removing the proportioning valve). On the second port I used Ford brake light switches. They have SAE thread and the stock connectors plug in. The stock reservoir will mount up just fine. Mine was damaged so I used the Tilton reservoirs.

There is one thing that won't work!. The hose and vent for the stock driver's footwell heater interferes with the master cylinders. I started making one out of fiberglass and then realized that I never want hot air on my feet so I blocked it off.

Here it is when I was putting it in...

It is much easier to dial in with a remote bias adjuster. I mounted a Tilton adjusting knob where the ashtray was. (Tell them that it is the boost knob!)

doozer · doozer's Garage

Rears have not arrived yet.

Looked at fronts and there were no spiders with numbers and I dont really want to pull apart new in the box brembos..

Do I need the anti-squeel spiders??

NoLift911 · 05-04-2005, 07:16 AM

Looks good Wayne -

You still have the stock Carrera calipers/rotors with this setup? Seems like overkill for some bias adjustability? Maybe I am missing something...cheapest I saw it for was $800 - if you know where to get cheaper let me know.

I have experienced some fade on the track with my stock brakes and decided to upgrade to the GTP kit as a once and for all fix for brake issues.

This dual M/C looks like a good solution for some bias adjustment after I install the kit (if needed)

-Jeff