rs nutta

on a s2 rs turbo would it be easy to do a disk conversion on the back using the origional front calipers.

i was wondering if it would be hard to do or not good cause people never seem to do it.

Ad4m RST

not much point really, if your gona fit rear brakes may aswell go for cossie conversion. More expensive granted but will do a FAR better job

Christian and Beccy

iTrader: (14)

You really sure you want rear discs?

RST's have adequate braking in the rear as they are.

My 320bhp RST is fine with standard rear drums and shoes, locks the rear up on the track nicely if I have the bias set that way!!

addiction

I agree with Christian there's not much point in doing the conversion unless it's for looks!

Rallyesport

Rear discs will offer more control on braking on the rear axle.

addiction

Being as Christian has over 300 bhp and does not feel the need for them i think that says it all

Tony Turbo

I am bored, so I will answer your question, possibly without a sarcastic or even humourous reply for a change.....

You cannot use front calipers on the rear because there will be no way of applying the handbrake, unless you you use a handbrake seperate caliper or some kind of line lock. Pointless doing that. Just use some Cosworth rears like 99% of people do.

James Raby

iTrader: (1)

Anyone got a fix for the pad only using half the damn disc

Tony Turbo

LOL - Mine is a bit like that


Good 'od Hi- Spec shit


Once the pad wears it'll make contact with the rest of the disc.

Rallyesport

Do you disagree? Rear disc conversion is certainly not just for looks, name one modern car of the "fast" type with rear drums. It's not chaper to fit rear disc on a car, they have more problems with the handbrake than with drums. Rear disc gives simply more controlled braking than a drum. Discs are more progressive. The back end of an Escort is not the most stable one with the lack of mulitlink suspension and rear discs. The braking power is good with the rear drums, they are large, but if someone was building a track weapon, rear disc is certainly what you would have. Cars are fitted with drums because they are cheap and gives pretty much maintance free hand brake. They are not a performane item.

Ad4m RST

to be fair christian has HOOOOGE front brakes so can just about get away with rear drums even at his power levels...

rear disk conversion is worthwhile but not essential, even on super specced RST's

Rallyesport

No racer would dream of having rear drums on his car. Disc give more stable braking, not on off as drums can be. Would be desired on any super spec'd RST.

James Raby

iTrader: (1)

but WHY? They don't even work correctly, the pads don't touch the full face of the disc, even the same on Cossie's so it's obviously a flaw in them!!

Your comparison against new cars makes me laugh, how can you simply compare a new car to a 20 year old bean tin is beyond me

Rallyesport

Don't you get it? If you want to impove your car, fit newer technology. In the past cars had drums at front too. New cars also have drums, but only low end cars and it's to save money.

James Raby

iTrader: (1)

I presume you just completely overlooked what I said about rear discs on a RST?

Rallyesport

I was trying to make you understand my comparison to newer cars.

James Raby

iTrader: (1)

I understand completely, but how would we go about getting a fully functional and low maintenance rear disc and caliper kit?

The ones from the cossies are just a pain in the neck

addiction

we're not talking about modern cars though you numbty

James Raby

iTrader: (1)

addiction, your reply is 3 replies too late??
He has already explained himself

And that reply is a bit harsh don't you think?
All I was saying is how do you compare old to new, and he said (not fully, but I'm sure we'll get there soon enough)

addiction

yeah ok James fair point! sorry rallyesport!

but on the other hand modern cars are designed to run with rear disks and the rst was not. so its just trying to make the most of a raw deal. .all front wheel drive cars do 90% of the braking on the front and only 10% on the rear! (unless you have a bias valve!)

James Raby

iTrader: (1)

agreed with that statement, trying to get rear discs working properly - I'd love to know

Andy_R

iTrader: (3)

Cant say I've had any of the above issues, either with my previous setup 4pots 308mm disks front (ford disks and calipers rear) nor with the current brake kit.

Both are far superior in braking ability than the 4 pot 308mm front and drums rear that I originaly had.

I agree that caution is needed to ensure bias is correct, as I know of a few accidents that have happened as the result of incorrect proportioning of bias.

Micky

I've got the same problem with my rear disc conversion,it only grabs about 70% of the disc.But to be very honest the fronts do 90% of the stopping to be honest.I have a bias valve fitted in car and have had to reduce a shed load of bias too the rear as it kept locking up the rears big time.In my opinion the only real advantage of fitting the rear disc conversion is that the pads are easier to replace than the shoe's.If you upgrade the fronts to big stoppers there's no more further advantage to be gained in stopping power by fitting rear disc's.Best regards Micky