front calipers

[johnmc67]

thanks len ...so hopefully they are just 30ltr facelift hubs with vented discs is that correct ?....best regards john .....

[Deleted]

A most interesting subject, this.

I can recall how 'random' the brakes were on my 30 month old 2.8i back in 1984, so it was no surprise when I discovered that WGW (which like many RS's has 2.8i front legs) was just as horrible, if not worse, both in action and pedal feel, because we are also now spoiled by modern brakes, which are great even on the most basic of cars.

Having run as a daily hack for almost seven years now a filthy but much-adored ST220 Estate which always carries way too much weight (and no, not me before anyone suggests it - commercial vehicle (bus) tools) its brakes are lovely and at 110k it's only on its second set of discs and pads - can you believe that?!

By contrast, WGW's brakes are arguably it's weakest point and in no way inspire confidence when gunning it - which I do now and then.

So, as I like a fairly standard looking car but am not concerned about mechanical originality when there's a far better modern equivilent to be had, I'm shortly to have the front set-up upgraded in pursuit of proper pedal feel and consistent directional performance. No more lucky-dip as regards which direction it will dive in. Or at least that's what I'm hoping!

In theory there's nothing much wrong with the condition of WGW's current set-up, but the sum of parts just don't add up to an acceptable performance, and I can't live with that when WGW's shut-lines are so exceptional and bent panels are ever harder to replace!

I'll report back in due course. But don't expect to see me at the Combe I'm afraid. Just too many commitments this year as business gets ever harder.

MN

[rscapriman]

Apr 30, 2012 21:01:56 GMT johnmc67 said:

thanks len ...so hopefully they are just 30ltr facelift hubs with vented discs is that correct ?....best regards john .....

Hi John, if you have any that you could compare I would suggest doing so.
Regards Len

[johnmc67]

ok thanks len i will do ....these ive got may of come of a 30ltr gt any way so i wouldnt be any further forward thats the problem ive got ....as every thing i got with car has been in someones unit for 10 years who builds race capris im sure the odd bits have gone here and there over the years for other projects .....regards calipers len i gave these (ate)ones a bit of a scrub and they have got spacers in them which i couldnt really see yesterday ive taken some pictures i will try to post them on forum to see what you think or to your phone if thats ok cheers john

[rscapriman]

No problem John, probably best to post them on here or e-mail them simply because they will be larger and easier for me to see.
Do you have the correct set up on GHU? If not do you have any vented discs albeit knackered that you could try with the hubs that you have on a RS strut making sure that the dust shield is in place?
I am quietly confident the hubs will be the same but as I have said before I have never compared them.
Darin may be able to help you I,m sure he will have struts off his 3000GXL that he could compare the hub with that off an RS.
Regards Len.

[garethb]

Since last year at Combe when Vernon and Len both over heated, their eye sight hasn't been the same!

[vernon240]

You got it Gareth, like when you've just looked at a bright light, whenever I close my eye's I see scantily clad 'Combe babes'!

[garethb]

.....and it is for that excat reason Vernon has been sleeping in the garage ever since so has plenty of time to start the restoration on his car

[vernon240]

I just have to work out how to knock a door into the garage from my office and I'll be all set!

Let us know how you get on with the brake upgrade, Mike. I run 2.8i legs on my mk 2 with the caprisport GTR260 set up, so granada type single pot caliper and 260mm vented discs. It's OK, but still not confidence inspiring! The problem with this set up is that it won't fit 6 x 13 RS 4 spokes, but will fit 7 x 13 RS 4 spokes, so I don't know how the RS3100 wheels would fare. I'm tempted to look at some hi spec calipers at some point, so interested in what direction you will take. If you want to stick with 13 inch wheeels, as I currently do on my mk2, it's pretty limiting on what you can fit.

[johnmc67]

hi len ,vernon thanks again for your guidence ghu is running 28i legs ....this was an issue i bought up with the person i bought it from ...as i was told to look out for 3100 suspension regards the disc bolting on to the hub from front rather than behind ! i was told at the time this is what most owners had done to there cars and took it as gosple ... im new to the rs 3100 so its a learning time for me now.... ive all ways had escorts before and know whats what with them .... and to be honest since ive bought ghu its been at my mates body shop as a guide for xgc regarding the paint work ive only driven it on and off the transporter so i dont know how it drives or brakes with that setup on its something i will look into next week ..... cheers john

[vernon240]

No problms John, I think there are a fair number of cars with 2.8i suspension out there, but equally, I think there are a good number running the original set up. Performance wise, there probably isn't much in it! Plus for 2.8i set up, you will have no problems with discs!