Let me just start by saying that modding is a disease. Since my van needs a little brake work, I asked the wife if we could do a small upgrade since it was gonna come apart anyways. More stopping power = safer for our kid right?

So this is what I got (please excuse the crappy iPhone photos):

AP racing 6 piston calipers
345mm slotted rotors
Ferodo DS-2500 pads

In boxes:



Caliper peeking out. Oh hello!



To get an idea of how it would look:



The recipient:



The result!



I feel so satisfied right now :D

 

hey do you know if the 05+ shocks/struts fit the older year 04-, vice versa.

 

I highly doubt it as 04 and 05 are different generations. As far as I know, the 2nd gen has way more suspension options compared to mine.

 

yeah i have a 05 oddy and found some one piece name apexi for cheap

 

Yah, as far as I know H&R is the only thing avail for a third gen

 

Sick! I need to do this to my '07 when it is ready for brakes... What did it run you if you don't mind sharing?

 

I love your reasoning... it's always for the kids.

 

Haha of course! Its ALL for the kid's safety.

1Jackleg: My buddy sourced all the parts and did the measurements for the machine work. The adapters are custom pieces and the rotors were modified to fit. I paid for it all as a package deal so I don't even know what the breakdown would be, but I would say it should run up to $3000 depending on the components you choose?

 

Just buy another DB8 already!!

Nicely Done Hombre!

 

Nice! Thanks for the info. I bet it will throw you through the windsheld now when you step on the brakes in the 2+ ton beast... I love it!

 

Hey, Agree with the modding - can be very addicting and plenty of fun to do. Wifey's ride is very nice. What is the offset on those wheels?

Also, if this is the kind of modding you do to your wife's ride, I can't imagine what you do to your own ride.

Thanks.

Mindoro

 

Nice! Does she complain about the squeaking?

 

She's out of town right now, she doesn't know exactly what I bought lol.

 

Dchan415: So do these larger brakes squeak? Is that the tradeoff for the add'l stopping power? Just curious... Thanks.

 

They squeal with light pressure at 60 km/h and at parking lot speeds. This seems to be the trade off yeah, I had a set of 4 pot calipers on my Aristo when I lived in HK and they squealed like mad at low speeds.

 

Hey RodneyK, Have to really commend you on your performance upgrades. Ques: How do you like the fit and finish of the VMR wheels?

 

Thanks :D

They're okay ... I have yet to bend one, but my mom borrowed the van and curbed one of them. When i went to touch them up, I used a little bit of brake clean on the area they were curbed and masked off a portion of the rim before I hit it with some rattle can paint. . I noticed some of the clear coat flaking where i peeled the painter's tape off, so I would say not the best? I cant tell if it was the brake clean or the tape that messed them up.

They still look fine, plus they were only $999 for 4 so I guess I really can't complain.

 

Cool. I was thinking of getting the V701 wheels 18x8.5 35mm offset, but got really worried about fitment issues. Does your 19x8.5 35mm offset wheels stick out too much?

Also, any exhaust project down the road?

~Mindoro

 

Nah its pretty flush with the fenders and quarters. I know some people on Odyclub run 20x9 +35 without issues so I think you could even push it to 30mm if you really wanted to. I have yet to rub even with the H&R springs.

I'll get some pics from the front and rear this weekend to give you an idea of how the stance is.

And no exhaust. I'm tempted to get an intake for some ricer noise but its not a priority atm. I have a Morimoto Mini-H1 HID projector retrofit and DVD/bluetooth/reverse camera coming up. Dropping it off at the installer's on Monday. I can't wait!

 

Guess you were not kidding about modding is a disease, huh? hehehe.

Can you tell me more about the morimoto mini H1 HID? What are these and how will the install be like?

Also, much appreciated about the add'l wheel pics. I could definitely use them to gauge how flush the 8.5 wheels will be.

Thanks.

~Mindoro

 

I've never had performance brakes that didn't squeak. Sometimes they stop squeaking for a short time, but it always comes back. Even with OEM brakes. The stock brakes on my E55 squeak consistently at parking lot speeds even when new. Mercedes said it was normal.

My GTR's brembo brakes were quiet until they were broken in. About 50 miles. Now they squeak everytime I come to a complete stop.

 

Finally got some pics of the stance. I'm not a huge fan of poke, this offset is just right for me.

 

Lookin good

 

Slowmofo: Thanks

Mini H1 projectors are bi-xenon and designed specifically for retrofitting. The opening fits right into a 9006 bulb opening and does not require any cutting to mount. I had someone install mine so I don't know how much easier it is to install vs takeoffs from a car with OEM HID, but it was at least an hour cheaper in terms of labour that I paid so i would say its probably significantly easier.

The solenoids that flip the shields up aren't hooked up on mine as I've read horror stories about them not returning to their original position in some cars. As you can see, with a big shroud, it looks relatively close to OEM. The cutoff is superb and the beam is nice and wide.

I already had an HID kit, so we re-used the old ballasts. I paid $440 including the shroud, projector, new H1 bulbs, and install which was totally worth it. 100% happy with this mod.

 

Cool - Thanks for the side wheel shots. I don't feel so worried about the offset now when I do upgrade the wheels down the road.

I like how the Mini H1 looks like OEM - $440 for everything doesn't seem to bad. Did you have HIDs prior? Thinking of trying the cheap HID kits, e.g. DDM, but still hesistant at the moment.

Really really nice projects Rodney. Keep us posted.

Thanks.