For a set of front AP racing brakes ?

I have been having a look around for some dedicated brakes for the VXR and these are the only ones I can find that have the pedigree to do the job right. With the car running around 290bhp I just want to make sure I have everything else in place to be able to get the best from it.
I had a long run on a track the other day and doing over 150mph and braking hard can be quite daunting so brakes are next on the list, but will these be a little bit OTT, could I get something as good for a lot less ?

Any info would be great on this guys

At 150mph I'd want the best brakes I could afford, and those look very meaty to say the least.

Crikey! they're quite naughty!

like skinz says, at 30mph down the hi-street, probably a tad too much, at 130mph going into the craner......bargain!

Only £1,600 :chin:

Get a spare set as well - at the end of the day, can you justify spending that money - if so, go for it. If not, then make do with 2nd best, and you will only regret it.

cazz said:

Crikey! they're quite naughty!

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lol, yeah I spose naughty is a good way to describe them Cazz

My other concern is the rear brakes looking well out of place. The front are 324mm(or there abouts) in standard form. These AP ones are 343 so the rear are gonna look like a pair of tweezers in comparison

Ive always gone with car modifactions with 2 no-go skimping areas. Tyres (the things that actually stick you to the road!) and Brakes. 1600 is a worthwhile investment if it means you dont plough your pride and joy into a wall

KoArAnG said:

lol, yeah I spose naughty is a good way to describe them Cazz

My other concern is the rear brakes looking well out of place. The front are 324mm(or there abouts) in standard form. These AP ones are 343 so the rear are gonna look like a pair of tweezers in comparison

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But you dont want to overbrake the rears as that can be much more dangerous than having crap brakes

Are you getting them for any perticular reason?

Stuart DemonD said:

Only £1,600 :chin:

Get a spare set as well - at the end of the day, can you justify spending that money - if so, go for it. If not, then make do with 2nd best, and you will only regret it.

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lmao, nicely put Stu, now I'm even more confused

I have paid a lot less for cars in the past so I spose it just makes me wonder if it's a bit of a rip off, I mean can that amount really be justified.

I see brake kits like the Tar-OX and they do a junior set iirc, not specific for my car yet but that will happen in time, but will they be a lot better than standard or are those ones just for the average speed cars that really only need them for the looks ?

I see it this way, Vauxhall wouldn't have released the VXR if the standard brakes couldn't deal with day to day braking.

If you're going to be taking the car to more track days, then upgrade the brakes, if it's going to be a one off thing, keep the standard brakes, maybe upgrade a bit to get a happy medium.

Spending £1600 on brakes that will make you eat the steering wheel while braking from 30mph is overkill IMO...

cazz said:

Are you getting them for any perticular reason?

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Safety first and foremost. I won't take my car for a long track session again with the brakes as they are now. Not that they caused any real dramas but it could have been better, and these new AP's have just been released so I am tempted.

Luke, I think you hit the nail on the head there mate. I just needed to hear it from someone else to justify the cost. Also I can show this thread to Chrissy tomorrow and blame you

helpimonfire said:

I see it this way, Vauxhall wouldn't have released the VXR if the standard brakes couldn't deal with day to day braking.

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yeh but hes remaped it so he can keep up with my punto :devil:

1600 is a good price for a good brake upgrade

KoArAnG said:

Safety first and foremost. I won't take my car for a long track session again with the brakes as they are now. Not that they caused any real dramas but it could have been better, and these new AP's have just been released so I am tempted.

Luke, I think you hit the nail on the head there mate. I just needed to hear it from someone else to justify the cost. Also I can show this thread to Chrissy tomorrow and blame you

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Oh right well safety first but it is a hell of a lot of money, i know nothing about brakes but aren't ceramic the best to get?

dave said:

yeh but hes remaped it so he can keep up with my punto :devil:

1600 is a good price for a good brake upgrade

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Cheers Dave

Looks like I better get saving, or selling my body

cazz said:

Oh right well safety first but it is a hell of a lot of money, i know nothing about brakes but aren't ceramic the best to get?

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Yes and No, Yes they are the best for working under extreme circumstances, No because they have too little feel for every day driving.

i'd do it. cant put a price on safety. and they look good. having those stuck behind alloys if u can see them. anybody that knows about cars going to know ur running something good.

i.e with 2ltr nova/corsa sleepers. the huge breaks and rear disc conversion give it away.

And remember its better to have more than you need, then need more than you have... Trouble is when going with second best is that if the unmentionable happens, you'll only kick yourself and wonder if it would have happened if you spent that little bit extra and got the best...

Have you looked into alternative Manufactures Like Brembo and Black Diamond?

Shop around first before you part with your money, at the end of the day you don't manage a Race Team and you aren't getting paid to win races, its no GranTurismo, your just booting round a race track, as long as you can stop safely thats all that matters and if it means braking earlier then do so.

twin calipers on one brake rotor isn't ideal, I'd rather some huge 6pot jobs personally!

our saab (being a gm 9-3) runs vectra 2.6sri estate brakes (the most powerful vauxhaul do on that fitting), and TBH they can stop the car, but they are a bit hairy!! especially with 265brake+ on tap, they are rather poor.

audi make some cracking brakes, even in a 1800kilo 4wd bahnstorming estate with four people and a dog they would still wrench your eyeballs out (although brake pads lasted about 10months on the front, and discs, 16 )

If you are using you car hard, and on the track I would go for the upgrade, or wait around a while and see what turns up (also look into saab tuning firms as saab and vauxhall use very similar parts, both being owned by GM of course). also look into an adjustable bias box, as with all that power you are going to have to experiment to get the balance right!!

also the vxr was designed with 220bhp, not 295brake, so the brakes will be overworked and well cooked (look into an upgraded peddle box too as our saab has a nasty gm plastic thing that bends all over the shop (brake is steel, clutch and accel are plastic:yuck: )