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Changing from vented to solid discs
Adamirish - 28/12/16 at 03:11 PM

I'm sure it's been covered before but I can't find it!

I just can't get enough heat into my front brakes on the road to make them work. If I'm "winning" they are fine but with normal use they are pants. I'd like to change to solid discs if it's easy enough to do.

It's an MK indy with Sierra hubs and I believe just normal Sierra calipers. Currently fitted with vented, drilled and grooved discs. Can I just fit some solid discs(non vented and be done with it? Or will I need to change calipers etc?

I have no idea which pads are in it so maybe putting softer pads in first might be the way to go? Any recommendations?

Ivan - 28/12/16 at 03:21 PM

Chances are the solid discs are a lot narrower than the Vented so you will need to find calipers to match. Unless your current ones have a spacer to make up the difference in which case you can remove it.

pewe - 28/12/16 at 03:28 PM

What Ivan says ^^ but surely playing around with pad material should be your first/cheapest option??
Cheers, Pewe10

perksy - 28/12/16 at 03:53 PM

As above, I'd be trying a change of pad material first

ian locostzx9rc2 - 28/12/16 at 04:24 PM

Try mintex 1144 pads they where excellent on my striker

CosKev3 - 28/12/16 at 04:47 PM

Yeah I bet someone's put too high a heat pad in.

People think due to the overall performance of these seven type cars they need performance pads like a tin top!

They forget the weight of the car is under half the weight of a Sierra......

I run Mintex standard road compound pads in mine on Sierra vented front brakes and did two track days this summer with no sign of brake fade

Adamirish - 28/12/16 at 04:52 PM

Cheers, yes I probably am jumping the gun a bit!

Coskev, how are your pads on the road?

matt5964 - 28/12/16 at 04:57 PM

I run sierra caliper vented discs plain with EBC Yellow stuff pads with no issues and lots of trackdays with no fade, good bite from cold and little to zero squeal.

Adamirish - 28/12/16 at 05:12 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I will try a different set of pads first. I haven't a clue what is on the car at the moment as a) I didn't fit them and b) there are no markings left on the pads.

So the suggestions so far are

Mintex 1144, EBC yellowstuff and standard mintex Sierra pads.

I'm not overly worried about using them on track at the moment. I would like to try it on a trackday next year but I need a quieter exhaust first. It will mainly be used on the road for the time being.

I want something that will bite from cold and will work at semi "normal" road speeds. Will all of the above do this?

CosKev3 - 28/12/16 at 05:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Adamirish
Cheers, yes I probably am jumping the gun a bit!

Coskev, how are your pads on the road?


They work from cold as they do hot,as they are standard compound

ReMan - 28/12/16 at 05:51 PM

as above, often he go-to pad for a fast car is green stuff, because peeps have heard of them! which is no good for a light car

Will put some new pads oin mine the winter!!

Adamirish - 28/12/16 at 06:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ReMan
as above, often he go-to pad for a fast car is green stuff, because peeps have heard of them! which is no good for a light car

Will put some new pads oin mine the winter!!


The previous owner/builder of my car told me he put green stuff pads in and it was a mistake. They were no good so he put these in. I wish I had asked what they were!

I'll find some standard Sierra pads and stick them in and see if they're better. Failing that I may be forced to change to wilwoods.

mark chandler - 28/12/16 at 06:15 PM

Mintex 1144's on my car with vented discs, no noticeable difference between hot and cold driven very hard on track and sprinting where you get zero warmup.

cliftyhanger - 28/12/16 at 06:37 PM

I would avoid "normal" pads unless you have a servo. They tend to have poor feel.
1144's are much better as an all-round choice. OK, more expensive, but very good. Unless you can find some old asbestos pads, which are also rather good in an un-servo'd car.

ReMan - 28/12/16 at 09:03 PM

Agreed, if your changing to improve, then go for one of the suggestions, not standard.
I have standard ones and have lived with them , but would choose a softer one with a choice to achieve what you want

matt5964 - 28/12/16 at 09:18 PM

I've found the. Yellow stuff to work well from cold on the road and also stand up to a Sunday blat all the way to a full trackdays worth of abuse

For a reasonable price ( front and read for under £100)

Part numbers for sierra caliper are
Front DP4415R
Rear DP4617R

sdh2903 - 28/12/16 at 09:47 PM

Another vote for 1144s. Excellent road and track pad. Can be a bit noisy tho.

Matt21 - 29/12/16 at 12:50 PM

I use 1144 on mine, they work well right from the word go and I've had no issues with fade on track either

Slight but of squeel when coming to a slow stop but it doesnt bother me (I think there are ways to get rid of it)

ianhurley20 - 29/12/16 at 03:24 PM

I put EBC greenstuff pads on mine and they work fine - however - I have an MX5 servo on my car which may be why mine are ok and others find them not to their liking