Khan Busby Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 I'm in the process of ordering an SV, probably with the 160HP engine, for use on the road and at track days. There is a £580 option for uprated front brakes - does anyone have any views or experience on the uprated brakes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Get them now. Peterid=teal> 253 BHP K-seriesteeth.gif, no gearboxbum.gifid=red> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino ferrana Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Probably best to go for them especially if you get sticky tyres and do some track stuff. If you are doing track with the 160 X-Power then you must get an Anti-Cav Tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 The usual response is that it depends on your use of the car. However, I was never really satisfied with the normal brakes and it was only when I did a track day in an SV at Donington that I realise how bad the normal brakes are. For 580 pounds it is worth it. To retro-fit the upgrade is 795 so they are allowing 200 for not having the standard brakes (that should tell you how poor they are). I only got the car back on the road yesterday after having the brakes upgraded and the initial feel of the brakes is much greater confidence. I should be able to say more after the weekend - if it stays sunny. Hope that you enjoy your car. The time spent specifying and upgrading the car is almost as much fun as building it. Cheers, Graham Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miraz Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Definately go with the uprated front brakes, make sure that Caterham supply you with the correct pads for the rear brakes - they have an uprated pad to balance the extra braking at the front. There is also a brake upgrade available for the rear brakes which is extremely effective, but not on the price list - if you are going to do lots of track work then it is also worth considering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7 SLR Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Uprated master cyl too? Worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Grundy Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Hi Khan I was at the factory yesterday and I must say the upgraded brake package is a pretty impressive looking piece of kit. I'm having my kit delivered in 4 weeks and already I've been struck with a serious case of upgradeitus!! blown my budget already. But the next upgrade is definately the upgraded brakes. Good luck on the build, I'm just down the road in Bedfordshire, I might be picking your brains shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan T Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 My SV has standard brakes and I have done 3 trackdays with no real problems ( touches wood ) on 16'' wheels and Avon tyres. However I am doing Brands Indy on Tuesday and am going to test 13'' wheels and A032's so it will be interesting to assess the brakes in this context. I will keep this thread posted as to any significant findings. Cheers Jan PS Peter C will be there so will seek his 'scientific' input to this 'test'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted June 22, 2002 Share Posted June 22, 2002 I have the uprated front brakes on my sv. See the spec here. I have driven the standard car with standard brakes and have to say they were very good. I would however not be without my uprated brakes. They allow me to sail past other cars at mixed trakdays under power, and brake upto 50 yds later than other cars. I wonder how the standard brakes would stand up to this kind of abusequestion.gif Perhaps I'll find out at Oulton - Eh Jan wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted June 24, 2002 Share Posted June 24, 2002 Having done a quick blat over the weekend, I can say that the upgraded front calipers are a world apart. Without the larger master cylinder (not needed for the road) I get a nice progressive pedal that allows me to control the pressure better, and a much higher braking ability. They caused some headaches because of my old wheels, but finally got that sorted and am now a very happy owner again. Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B11MOY Posted June 27, 2002 Share Posted June 27, 2002 I've had both think no more go for the upgrade Billy Rudd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole Posted June 28, 2002 Share Posted June 28, 2002 I'm thinking of upgrading the front brakes on my SV - but what does one do to the rear brakes to maintain balanced braking - is it just a matter of fitting higher grade brake pads? The rear brakes came fitted with these when the kit was delivered and I had to swop them out for "standard" pads. Keep flying low The Mole @ the molehill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted June 28, 2002 Share Posted June 28, 2002 Mole, According to Caterham, the rear standard calipers should be fitted with uprated pads to help balance the breaking. Regards, Martin Taken from Bookatrack: "For those of you using Caterham pads (not dodgy 'pink stuff' or whatever), are you all using our 'blue dot' pads on the REAR? (This applies to all uprated front brake cars - not uprated (race) rears.) These increase the rear brake performance, but can't be used with standard front brakes or you'll lock the rears first. We use Pagid on race cars. Mintex make our road items." - Simon Lambert Edited by - mav on 28 Jun 2002 21:51:35 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeps Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 Get all the upgrades,that your pocket can stand, at the build stage because you'll only end up fitting them later at a higher cost as you succumb to upgraditus. Deeps ( gone in search of shiny things )cool.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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