Brake cooler dimensions?

[Blackdimonds]

I have a friend that can make a brake cooler kit for me, but I need the dimensions of the backer plate part of the kit. Does anyone have the dimensions for this part that they could share with me?

Thanks,

[Peter Kelly]

GEEZ, if you are gonna copy someone's design, at least have the decency to buy 1 set to copy.

Just my .02

[82SC]

that is a pretty lame response...

it is not like he is trying to save 3 bucks making a copy of a reasonably priced part...

we are talking a 300 brake kit that consists of 20 dollar hose, 10 bucks of sheet metal, 1 hour of labor, and your 0.02 cent zip ties...

if you can make a quality repro and sell for a price that fairly covers your expence sign me up....

MJ

[Blackdimonds]

I just finished taking the backer plates off the front brakes. I made a scale drawing, and got all the dimensions. I figure if I can build a set of parts like this for 30 bucks, I will use the other $270 I save to buy parts that I really need. I have no problem using someone elses design as long as I don't profit from it. Right?

[jpnovak]

I say go for it. I am planning a similar project myself. I think its absolutely rediculous the price that they want for a cooling kit.

You should be able to trace the bolt circles from your dust covers. Then trim the outer edge. A semicircle is cut out and folded outward to give support to the hose connector. I believe the hose is 2.5".

Check the archives for "Project little Reds." Chuck Moreland made his own for the front and rear. Worth a look.

Jamie

[Peter Kelly]

Hey 82 sc, Sorry for being "lame" in your eyes. (actually not), but the response is tempered with 15 years experience running my own company and seeing my hardware and software products copied time and time again by both large and hobby type companies.

I am not saying that the prices AJ and others get for a brake cooling kit are not high, what I am saying is if you want to do it yourself, then do it, don't ask to be spoon fed on how to do it,

[ChrisBennet]

I prefer the original Cool Brake kit as sold by OG Racing because is has 3" hose instead of 2.5". If you're making your own you may want to go with the larger hose.
I'm not a fabricator so it would take me a lot longer to make these than your estimate. If you find you really can whip these out in an hour or so you or your friend should go into business making these. Heck, maybe you could improve them.
The OG kit has a the inlet scoops (under the A-arm), hoses, backing plates and rotor blockoff plates. Some of the other kits omit the rotor blockoff plates.
-Chris

[82SC]

okay an hour was a gross underestimate...

but, my point is why pay a 3000% increase when it is a good fun weekend project...

and it may not be the most business ethical thing to do, but again if he is not going mass produce and put AJ out of business then what is the harm...and making a profit is a good thing...that is American Capitalism for you...

plus he is not ripping off a inovative design...it is a tube with a plate...

and back to business ethics...theya re only good if everyone is followin them...it is eat or be eaten...job, gates windows????

but enough caffine induce ranting and raving...

if you search for 'little reds' or brake cooling one of our members did an extensive thread about his DIY home made brake cooling kit...

MJ

[Chuck Moreland]

I made my own as documented in this thread:
Project little reds

In fact I made TWO sets because I wasn't happy with the first effort.

Here is the thread on the second attempt:

Project little red, part deux

I can assure you this is no 1 hour task.

If you can INSTALL the pre-made kit in 1 hour you are moving faster than me!

By no means am I trying to discourage you. To the contrary, go for it! My threads can help you. Just set your expectations accordingly.

I was motivated to do this for a variety of reasons. One of which was a desire to build a rear brake cooling setup. There are none on the market (yet!).

Another was the belief that I could improve upon the existing front design. I did as shown in the second thread.

I will say my brake coolers work great. I've tested with a IR thermometer and see rotor temperature reduction of about 150F.

I originally had these on my Carrera and have since moved them to my '77 with stock A calipers. I have no overheating problems on the track, even as other cars with big brakes stumble around me.

The cool brakes and similar kits might look expensive for what you get. But keep in mind these are low volume products, the makers are not getting rich on the handfull of units they sell. Nobody could stay in business selling these for $50, or even $150.

Unless you place no value on your time the Cool Brakes kit is a good deal. Notice that at the end of my first attempt at front brake cooling I was dissapointed and actually considered tossing the front coolers and buying the Cool Brakes.

That should tell you something.

Good luck and keep us updated if you do it.

[Blackdimonds]

Chuck,

Great idea on improving the cool brake design. I spent some time today in the hardware store getting ideas. One is a 6" vent cap that is pre made and would only require cutting the center hole and intake hole. The other thing I found was a valve that can be used with 3 in hose that uses a pull cable to open and close the air flow. I thought this would be nice for autocross, because you do want some heat in the brakes and this would allow you to close the flow to the brakes.

Thanks,

Paul

[widebody911]

I too had contemplated making one of these setups, and after some discussion with Steve Timmins on the subject, decided to get the OG Racing kit instead.

It's not that you *can't* do it, and it would be a fun project, but time-to-track was a consideration.

It would be great if someone came up with a cheaper, improved production version (like the new gate shift kit), but I suspect not enough people care about their brake temps to make it viable.

It was hard coughing up $200+ for some fiberglass bits and off-the-shelf tubing and no instructions(!), but I like to tell myself it was worth it.

A rear kit would be great!

[katigbr]

I also went the the OG Racing Kit Cool Brakes for "Gretchen". My only comments are:

1) The rotor blockoff plate design that OG Racing uses is not effective at COMPLETELY blocking off the rotor vents. The Smart Racing Products ones that Pelican sells are shaped to fit the "petals" on the hub. I ended up buying a replacement set from Pelican. Also the OG racing version requires drilling several small holes and tapping them to mount the plates to the rotor hats. I believe that others use the existing hub/rotor mounting bolts. I know that the pelican ones do.

2) The OG Racing uses fibreglass components whereas others use aluminum or steel. Not sure if there is a difference but the price differential is not significant. I'd prefer the steel but perhaps FG is more resistant to heat/rust. Don't know.

I am however very happy with how they perform. No brake problems so far but its still early and am still learning to push this car around the track.

Rick

[widebody911]

I concur. I modified mine for better blocking.

I had an instructor drive my car hard for a session a couple months ago, and the brakes held up fine. My pads got scorched pretty good, but he never experienced any fade.

[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by katigbr
1) The rotor blockoff plate design that OG Racing uses is not effective at COMPLETELY blocking off the rotor vents.