PFC brake package - opinions please

[CrisSilberGrau]

I just got a used Z45/Z31 kit for my car. Bummed to hear about the PFC state of things. I will have to check but most likely im on V2 rotors. Im more concerned about the calipers and what state they are in. Is girodisc a good option for the PFC rotors.

Although I have to say, the casting of the rotors is probably the best quality I've ever seen. Very clean casting.

[Projecte46m3]

I just got a used Z45/Z31 kit for my car. Bummed to hear about the PFC state of things. I will have to check but most likely im on V2 rotors. Im more concerned about the calipers and what state they are in. Is girodisc a good option for the PFC rotors.

Although I have to say, the casting of the rotors is probably the best quality I've ever seen. Very clean casting.

Yes, Girodisc are good as a dis replacement. I believe BW still has some PFC replacement discs available for v2 rotors. Do you have the anti-rattle Belleville washers installed in the hats on your v2 rotors?

[fattycharged]

I appreciate the input and discussion. I knew I'd get some good opinions here. Gonna pass on the PFCs. For what I'm doing with this car and to have a little fun messing with it but not going crazy, I may look into the Aston DB9 Brembo fronts + 996 rears. That seems to maintain virtually the same bias as original, good mix of form and function I think. And I have a fantastic local blasting/powdercoating shop, so I can clean the calipers up nicely.

I've got a VERY clean set of black Aston's sitting in a box in my garage that need a new home


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[Nate047]

I appreciate the input and discussion. I knew I'd get some good opinions here. Gonna pass on the PFCs. For what I'm doing with this car and to have a little fun messing with it but not going crazy, I may look into the Aston DB9 Brembo fronts + 996 rears. That seems to maintain virtually the same bias as original, good mix of form and function I think. And I have a fantastic local blasting/powdercoating shop, so I can clean the calipers up nicely.

I have that setup on my car (e46 M3, not Z4M) the calipers and rebuild parts were somewhat more expensive than just doing a 996 or Megane setup. I didn’t total it up because I’m not a masochist but it’s several hundred bucks more depending on how far you want to go. Getting the mounting brackets was a real exercise in stubbornness on my part. I don’t know if there’s a company that makes them in the US now or not, but VBT will not ship their kit to the US because how much it costs post-Brexit. Long story short, it’s more trouble than it’s worth. And the small difference bias difference is negligible in the real world TBH.

[1bluemcm]

I have that setup on my car (e46 M3, not Z4M) the calipers and rebuild parts were somewhat more expensive than just doing a 996 or Megane setup. I didn’t total it up because I’m not a masochist but it’s several hundred bucks more depending on how far you want to go. Getting the mounting brackets was a real exercise in stubbornness on my part. I don’t know if there’s a company that makes them in the US now or not, but VBT will not ship their kit to the US because how much it costs post-Brexit. Long story short, it’s more trouble than it’s worth. And the small difference bias difference is negligible in the real world TBH.

IDK why I keep finding this stuff a little bit at a time. Just came across the Megane setup and there does seem to be benefit to that over the DB9 sourced front setup. I had been thinking to just get the small stuff from VBT and source the calipers here, but I may not even go that route with what I know now. Megane up front, 996 rear seems pretty straight forward. The homework continues. Thx.

[Projecte46m3]

IDK why I keep finding this stuff a little bit at a time. Just came across the Megane setup and there does seem to be benefit to that over the DB9 sourced front setup. I had been thinking to just get the small stuff from VBT and source the calipers here, but I may not even go that route with what I know now. Megane up front, 996 rear seems pretty straight forward. The homework continues. Thx.

Per Build Journal:
"The previous recommended Aston Martin DB9 retrofit kit yielded about 68.5% front bias and 31.5% or a 1.6% front bias deviation from stock brake bias. This is due to the DB9 kit having 40/44 piston sizes whereas Renault Megane RS Trophy-R has 40/40 piston sizes. So it’s similar. If you can find a set of the DB9 calipers, it should be a solid setup however it is very difficult to find a set."

[fattycharged]

IDK why I keep finding this stuff a little bit at a time. Just came across the Megane setup and there does seem to be benefit to that over the DB9 sourced front setup. I had been thinking to just get the small stuff from VBT and source the calipers here, but I may not even go that route with what I know now. Megane up front, 996 rear seems pretty straight forward. The homework continues. Thx.

I shot you a PM on my set for sale from a Vantage, I'll confirm piston size is identical, assume it is as its just the "sportier" version of a DB9

[Gearhead55]

I would encourage you to look at the following AP Racing kit from Essex.

Front: https://www.essexparts.com/essex-des...t-cp8350-e46m3
Rear: https://www.essexparts.com/ap-racing...kit-rear-e46m3

The front uses the CP8350 four piston caliper and 325mm rotors so it will fit under 17" wheels if so desired. The rear uses the CP5144 caliper that mounts using the factory caliper mounting points and retains the stock rotor.

While this kit is not as sexy as the six piston designs it has more than enough stopping power for your street car. The CP8350 uses a common pad shape supported by many manufacturers and are oftentimes under $250 a set. The CP5144 caliper also uses common pads shapes to keep costs in check. Street compatible pads are available from Hawk, Cobalt Friction, Ferodo and others. The front pads are 20mm thick so they will last many years in a street driven environment.

I have this setup (front and rear) on my S54 powered 330Ci track car and it is fantastic. You can hammer the brakes all day long with no fade. Pad swaps are as easy as removing one retaining pin (caliper does not need to be removed, front or rear).

AP Racing has full US support and parts availability is strong. Unlike PFC, you will be able to source rotor rings and caliper parts with no issues.

Cost is reasonable and you can buy the front and rear kits for the price of a six piston front only.

What is the pedal feel like with this set up? Comparable to the 6 piston kit?

[S54330Ci]

What is the pedal feel like with this set up? Comparable to the 6 piston kit?

I have never driven a car with a six-piston kit so I can't say. Pedal feel is going to be influenced by many things such as:

1) stiffness of the caliper
2) brake pad type and quality
3) brake fluid type and age and if it has even been boiled under high heat conditions
4) overall running temps of the brake system

Heavier cars may benefit from six-piston calipers as you have a larger brake pad with more surface area as well as larger rotors for better thermal capacity. For a street-only car these things are largely overkill. The E46 platform is light enough that a four-piston kit such as that from AP Racing would be more than adequate for anything from street use all the way up to full track usage.

[Cronenberged]

CrisSilberGrau PFC still very well supported, rebuilt lots, rotors and Girodisc has picked up schematics from PFC to make replacement hats and rings. I would switch to V3s