akaryrye

iTrader: (5)

has anyone on here done a 2001 sport brakes / 2003 -2005 brake swap? Im curious because i found a source for brake calipers and rotors from a 2001 sport for $300 and it doesnt sound like a bad deal, im just wondering if there will be any complications with bolting them on besides wheel size, which wont be a problem with konig heliums.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I read on M.net a few people have done it....might want to search and ask them what it entails

jayc72

iTrader: (14)

It isn't any different than any 1.6->1/8 conversion, except I think you need the calipers and not just the brackets.

jayc72

iTrader: (14)

I'd also check avalibility of brake pads, you might find that there are less choices.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

they are a tad larger I believe, and the caliper has better clamping force

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

yeah, much bigger than what I did:

10.6-inch ventilated front discs; 10.9-inch solid rear discs (vs. 10" and 9.9")

nothing less than a 15" rim will fit.

karter74

iTrader: (4)

IMO its unnecessary. The miata brakes are more than adequate even for you high horsepower guys. All you need are some aggressive pads and rotors that are in decent shape. The spec miata guys aren't even allowed to have the larger brakes, and with safety being a concern, I'm sure if they needed them they would let them run them. Just my .02

Ben

iTrader: (33)

None of the spec miata guys are running over 200hp. None of the spec guys run their racecars on the street. The track may be faster, but it's also a controlled faster, where the street is less predictable.

If you're running 15 or 16 inch wheels and you want some bigger brakes for cheap, go for it. There's not enough difference in unsprung weight (which FI guys don't really worry about either) and a huge difference in clamping force.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

bullshit dude. Spec miatas have HALF the horsepower and shitload less weight. You sound like an M.net regular.

There's a reason Mazda put on larger rotors when just going with the 1.6 to 1.8. And again with the slight increase of power with the +99.

IMHO, you like brake fade and crashing into retainer walls.

steelrat

There are other considerations.... some 15's don't fit without work over the 01+ brakes.... so you have some limits there. Also there's the pad choices, I know several autox'rs with them, and they were definately having trouble finding pads....

Plus there's a problem with the unsprung weight. Now I know it probably wouldn't bother me either, since I'm running with the panasports on the street, which is not exactly a "light" package, however, the larger brakes, rotors, etc, all add weight. I know one guy who did the swap, but didn't like the way it felt after, so swapped back to "stocker" 1.8's.....

Big brakes, are good.... good pads rotors, can be just as good though, it depends on what you are doing the with them, and how much compromise you are willing to make......

Dave,

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I agree it's all in the proper pad, but the small surface of the 1.6 rotors can only do so much with all the power. If you are tracking the car, they will not be up to the task. You'll boil your fluid and fade & glaze your pads.

But even on the street, I have better control, modulation & confidence with the larger brakes. Many that have driven it mention it right away as being a huge improvement, even a 1.6 owner that utilizes the same pad.

jayc72

iTrader: (14)

braineak,

You've got ABS correct? Did doing the swap help with the squishy pedal? Did you keep your existing calipers or change those out as well?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

yeah I got ABS. It helped but I think mainly from cycling the ABS unit like crazy before the flush. I had it jacked up, put a nut on each rear rotor, got it up to speed without tires and slammed on the brakes. Did that a few times to make sure all the fluid and any trapped air got cycled out....flushed the brakes and cycled and ABS and bleed again. But just backing down the driveway I felt a significant improvement in pedal feel and responce. I reused my existing claipers and made sure to lube them up plenty (proceedure can been seen in my projedcts link).