[Mk2] [NA] big brake upgrade

[timmycr90]

Im looking at purchasing a big brake upgrade but i dont want to pay ££££ for wilwood etc. Ive heard that supra/rx8 setup is quite regually used? Is there any other combination that could be used? Would any 4 pot lexus calipers fit with minimal fab work needed?

Would be nice to pick your brains.

[Nic]

Why do you want to fit bigger brakes?

[C35Rob]

you do not need a big brake kit on an NA, standard turbo brakes with carbotec etc pads would be more than enough

[timmycr90]

Im wanting big brakes, because its a project and will eventually get a twin charged 3sgte. So getting the chassis sorted with brakes. Coilovers etc before placing the new engine in

[thomp1983]

Even with a twin charge setup the stock brakes will likely be fine with quality pads there's quite a few 4-500bhp builds still using stock calipers with carbotech pads.

But if you insist, celica gt4 fronts will fit. Or contact kerry at wms he was working on a kit. If you change the brakes you'll need to work out how your going to keep the same bias aswell

[bobhatton]

If you must have big brakes for looks, as they are not needed for stopping, you have to get a full set front and rear that have been designed only for a MR2.
Do not go fitting parts designed and fitted to other cars as you will have big problems with balance.

Use the search on this site as this has come up so many times in the past

[Torero]

You also have to consider your wheel diameters and offsets as some will not fit even if they're 17" wheels.

[Nic]

Your other problem is that the handbrake operates the rear calipers - there are no separate rear brake shoes - so whichever kit you fit you will need to find a similar setup or fit an extra caliper for the hand brake.

The standard brakes in good working order with a few modifications are very good, I'm currently running 300hp, even with double that hp I would still have complete faith in my current brake setup.

Rather than fitting bigger brakes I would look at optimising the stock brakes. Overhaul the calipers with all new seals, pistons, slide bolts, etc. fit braided lines, decent brake fluid and a stopper for the brake master cylinder. I'm using OEM Toyota pads and discs, the stock pads give good bite (better than many so called 'performance' pads) and I've never experienced any fade even when braking hard from silly speeds. If you are using the car on a track then you may want to look at a carbon composite pads which will cope better with multiple stops.

[Nic]

Ive heard that supra/rx8 setup is quite regually used?

The Supra 4pot front calipers are very good but they are very heavy and wheel clearance is a problem, you would need at least 17" wheels to clear them. The calipers also sit quite wide so clearance between the front face of caliper and the rear face of the spokes can be an issue. Supra brakes work great on a Supra, I definitely wouldn't consider using them on an MR2 though.

[thepodge86]

Ive heard that supra/rx8 setup is quite regually used?

The Supra 4pot front calipers are very good but they are very heavy and wheel clearance is a problem, you would need at least 17" wheels to clear them. The calipers also sit quite wide so clearance between the front face of caliper and the rear face of the spokes can be an issue. Supra brakes work great on a Supra, I definitely wouldn't consider using them on an MR2 though.

Surely this is the answer?

www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=164686

I am looking into this once I purchase an MR2 Turbo. Previous owner of a N/A several years ago.

[Nic]

Surely this is the answer?

www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=164686

I am looking into this once I purchase an MR2 Turbo. Previous owner of a N/A several years ago.

I really don't see the point, they won't stop the car any quicker, the larger discs, brackets and 17" wheels you'll need will all add quite a bit to the unsprung weight.

The only reason I'd fit aftermarket brakes would be to reduce the unsprung weight and I'd want them to fit under 16" wheels. The WMS kit is the only one I've seen that I'd consider using.

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=140657

[raptor95GTS]

the stock brakes are the best in the world and cannot be improved on. The design, from the late 80's (and it resembles something from the 1880's) is so good that nothing else compares and is a complete waste of time and money to upgrade to bigger discs and or callipers. Also, if you change the callipers the first time you brake hard, the car will swap ends and explode into a billion parts

Or you could fit something that keeps hydraulic and brake torque balances close to stock and use bigger discs / different callipers. Any calliper not pig iron would be a good place to start though as corrected pointed out, the rear caliper is the handbrake as well so if that's important to you it does force you to keep the front callipers the same(ish) piston size, ie 36mm avg

[Ryan S]

Yeah can of worms asking about brakes on here. The 200sx brackets and calipers (with supra discs)are meant to be a decent upgrade over stock and keeps the balance pretty well. Heard good things about the supra calipers with regards to brake balance too. I think its gazrev1tubby who done the brackets, give him a pm and ask. As for people trying to put you off/recommending extortionately priced kits, take no notice.

For what it's worth the stock brakes are 20 years out of date and are completely hopeless for my needs.....stopping.

[Nic]

For what it's worth the stock brakes are 20 years out of date and are completely hopeless for my needs.....stopping.

What are your needs? Stopping? My stock brakes can lock the wheels if I press the brake pedal with very little effort. Do you think bigger brakes are going to stop you in a shorter distance?

[Nic]

the stock brakes are the best in the world and cannot be improved on. The design, from the late 80's (and it resembles something from the 1880's) is so good that nothing else compares and is a complete waste of time and money to upgrade to bigger discs and or callipers. Also, if you change the callipers the first time you brake hard, the car will swap ends and explode into a billion parts

Or you could fit something that keeps hydraulic and brake torque balances close to stock and use bigger discs / different callipers. Any calliper not pig iron would be a good place to start though as corrected pointed out, the rear caliper is the handbrake as well so if that's important to you it does force you to keep the front callipers the same(ish) piston size, ie 36mm avg

So what would you suggest?

[Ryan S]

Driven mr2s for 10 years with just about every combination of disc and pad available. I've warped plenty discs. Bigger brakes require less effort therefor less heat. The 20 year old brakes are gash if you want to use the car properly. Not away to get into a handbag swinging contest but in my opinion the stock brakes are rubbish, they heat up too much.

If they're so good why did toyota not use them on the gt4 or the supra?

[Ryan S]

Also, the unshakeable loyalty to the stock brakes completely baffles me, why is everyone so keen to defend them??

[ashley]

[Ryan S]

I agree they stop the car well enough although I have had some pretty hairy brake fade moments. My issue with them is that I have warped so many discs, I've said this in countless threads on here over the years. When I got my current car, the discs were already warped. I refuse to buy another set and have them warp too. I've used expensive discs, cheap discs and everything in between, just about every pair have warped. I don't know how the track boys get away with it, In my experience with the stock brakes, they are crap.
So for me it's not about stopping in a shorter distance, it's about having a set of brakes that can do the same job with a lot less effort.

If your discs aren't warping, you've not had to brake hard enough yet! track included.

Although the Avensis and countless other Toyota saloons use the same (if not very similar) calipers, so if you think that's fine on a 300+bhp sports car then by all means go ahead

Can you imagine the GT4 boys swapping their brakes for mr2 ones??

[ashley]