BMW brake upgrade

vortrex · 08-25-1998, 06:27 PM

has anyone actually done this or driven a car that has been upgraded? I need to know REALLY how good it is, along with the ups and downs. thanks!

John Rogers · 08-25-1998, 08:17 PM

I did ther upgrade on my daughter's 1974 914 and it works GREAT! Here's what I did or had done and $$$: calipers from a BMW 320i w/lines and pads=$50. Machining the mounting flanges as per insts=$30. New Metal Master pads front and rear=$50. 19 mm master cylinder from Porsche=$100. 1 gal of DOT 4 fluid from NAPA $$(I forgot). 1 Tee fitting to replace the prop valve=$12. Some tubing and clamps to replace the ones from the resivor to master cylinder=10. The existing rotors were okay and reused. The calipers did not need an overhaul. I use the Metal Master pads on our Turbo and I like them, your favorite brand may vary so don't wory about that. I had to bed them in very carefully and they stop the 914 like you threw out an anchor. My daughter really appreciates the extra stopping during autox's.

John Rogers · 08-28-1998, 01:56 PM

here is info on the amount of time it took as I did all the work, except the machining myself.
- Get calipers from Ecology Auto Wrecking, inc. travel = 2 1/2 hrs
- Deliver and pickup calipers for machining = 1 1/2 hr.
- Install calipers on each side, including brake bleeding = 1 1/2 hr.
- Bed in pads as per Metal Master insts = 1 hr.
End of first part, next was done a couple of days later.
- Install 19 mm master cylinder and new lines under gas tank = 2 hrs
- Remove prop valve and install Tee and bleed all 4 wheels = 2 hrs (this was done with car on stands, a lift would have made it easier).
- Rebleed brakes after above = 1 hr
- Test improvments after upgrade = not done yet!

Bunky · 08-28-1998, 03:50 PM

Does anyone have info on the pros and cons of replacing the proportioning valve with a tee?
I thought I read somewhere it's tricky to balance the fronts with the rears when you have a tee!

Bee Jay · 08-28-1998, 05:36 PM

I replaced my proportioning valve with a tee. I am very pleased with the results. That spongy feeling went away, and the rears do not lock up. I plan to do the BMW front caliper upgrade next. Rebuilt 320i loaded calipers are very reasonable at Auto Parts Club.Who can do the machining in the LA area?

brenckle · 09-03-1998, 06:38 AM

Any tips on shopping for the 320i calipers? There are some wrecking yards around here but its chancy on the quality of what I'll get from them.
-Nick

John Rogers · 09-04-1998, 08:57 AM

I'm not sure where Brenckle lives, but in the San Diego CA area we have Ecology Auto, where you remove the parts yourself. Costs a dollar to get in and they are lower $$$$ than the other yards. For an additional fee, you can get a guarantee and bring the parts back. I checked the overall condition of the car before it was wrecked and BMW's are usually pretty well kept up. The wear on rotors and thickness of the pads can tell you if the brake job was recent or not. Also how much dirt and road junk is on the calipers. If you unbolt one, you can feel the boots and see if they are hard/cracked/soft/etc. Last of all, little things like the bleed screw caps being on and the color of the brake fluid will tell you if the mechanic was careful when the car was serviced.

brenckle · 09-07-1998, 10:40 AM

I knew I shoulda used my first name in my username

I live in CT. Most of the junkyards here are exactly that, junkyards. In the area Im in (New Haven) there have been rumors of organized crime and one in particular that keeps getting closed as a chop shop. (Could get good parts there - Just Kidding!) I'll have to check around for one that gives a warrenty.

-Nick