Budget Brembo Upgrade oxymoron i know

1559 Views 22 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Wibbly, 11 mo ago

MARKC 51

Discussion Starter · 11 mo ago

Looking to upgrade from the factory Nissin system to Brembo components. My questions start with can you start with some components without having others? For example, can I buy the rotors first and still use the Nissan calipers until I can get brembo calipers and vice versa? Just got new Galfer steel braided lines installed so my lines are solid. Looking to upgrade to Brembo MC, calipers, and rotors. Please, I'm not an expert my any means.

Automotive parking light Tire Automotive lighting Automotive side marker light Hood

Just a guy who loves his RC and I need advice. For me too expensive of an upgrade to make purchasing mistakes.

See less See more

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

GONZORR

· #2 · 11 mo ago

MARKC 51 said:
Looking to upgrade from the factory Nissin system to Brembo components. My questions start with can you start with some components without having others? For example, can I buy the rotors first and still use the Nissan calipers until I can get brembo calipers and vice versa? Just got new Galfer steel braided lines installed so my lines are solid. Looking to upgrade to Brembo MC, calipers, and rotors. Please, I'm not an expert my any means. View attachment 138568
Just a guy who loves his RC and I need advice. For me too expensive of an upgrade to make purchasing mistakes.

Sure I don't see how it would be a problem. Just an opinion on the rotors though don't get caught up on the name there are plenty of other companies out there that make great rotors at the same or lower prices. The lines are a huge help to start and the right combination of brake pads would even help. Plenty of people , myself included upgrade one piece at a time. Start with the Mc and pads at least that's what I would do . It's cheaper and makes a decent difference.

Reactions: 1

Wibbly

· #3 · 11 mo ago

rotors are rotors. stainless rotors aren't going to act much differently between brands.

when it comes to masters and calipers it's a different story. just because it says brembo on it doesn't mean it's great. and when it comes to pairing calipers and master cylinders there's MUCH more to it than just buying the one with the "b" on it.

Reactions: 3

MARKC 51

Discussion Starter · #4 · 11 mo ago

Wibbly said:
rotors are rotors. stainless rotors aren't going to act much differently between brands.

when it comes to masters and calipers it's a different story. just because it says brembo on it doesn't mean it's great. and when it comes to pairing calipers and master cylinders there's MUCH more to it than just buying the one with the "b" on it.

Wibbly said:
rotors are rotors. stainless rotors aren't going to act much differently between brands.

when it comes to masters and calipers it's a different story. just because it says brembo on it doesn't mean it's great. and when it comes to pairing calipers and master cylinders there's MUCH more to it than just buying the one with the "b" on it.

Thank you for the insight. I'd like to hear more about pairing MC with calipers. Have you come across any Brembo combination that works really well together? I think I'm going to stick with the EBC sintered pads that I use since I'm happy with the performance but some insight on master cylinder and calipers would be appreciated.

Wibbly

· #5 · 11 mo ago

you want to keep the hydraulic ratio around 23-27. less than 23 will be a very stiff lever, more than 27 will be a very soft lever.

the hydraulic ratio being the ratio of the cross sectional area of the caliper pistons and the master cylinder piston.

some calipers use small pistons and need small masters, some calipers use large pistons and need large masters. so if you are planning on doing both, you have to consider this.

Reactions: 2

MARKC 51

Discussion Starter · #6 · 11 mo ago

Wibbly said:
you want to keep the hydraulic ratio around 23-27. less than 23 will be a very stiff lever, more than 27 will be a very soft lever.

the hydraulic ratio being the ratio of the cross sectional area of the caliper pistons and the master cylinder piston.

some calipers use small pistons and need small masters, some calipers use large pistons and need large masters. so if you are planning on doing both, you have to consider this.

That's why I love this community. You can't buy this type of input. Much appreciated

MARKC 51

Discussion Starter · #7 · 11 mo ago

MARKC 51 said:
That's why I love this community. You can't buy this type of input. Much appreciated

I'm doing some online shopping as we speak so this is perfect timing.

Wibbly

· #8 · 11 mo ago

here's a hydraulic ratio calculator to make life easier when you're figuring it out.

just save the file to your computer then you can edit away. what's on there right now is an sp1 master with sp2 calipers, and you can see that the smaller sp2 calipers with the bigger master give a low ratio, which is why you get a stiff lever with a 19 bore master on an sp2, and that 17 is better suited to it.

1drv.ms

Hydraulic Ratio Calculator.xlsx

Microsoft Excel Workbook

1drv.ms

Reactions: 3

MARKC 51

Discussion Starter · #9 · 11 mo ago

Wibbly said:
here's a hydraulic ratio calculator to make life easier when you're figuring it out.

just save the file to your computer then you can edit away. what's on there right now is an sp1 master with sp2 calipers, and you can see that the smaller sp2 calipers with the bigger master give a low ratio, which is why you get a stiff lever with a 19 bore master on an sp2, and that 17 is better suited to it.

Hydraulic Ratio Calculator.xlsx

Microsoft Excel Workbook

1drv.ms

Got it! Not going to lie. This info is going to my mechanic.

MARKC 51

Discussion Starter · #10 · 11 mo ago

MARKC 51 said:
Got it! Not going to lie. This info is going to my mechanic.

When shopping for a Brembo MC and Calipers what am I looking for in the listing to make sure they'll get me in the correct hydraulic ratio range?

Wibbly

· #11 · 11 mo ago

you have to look it up. nobody is going to list the piston diameters for calipers.

Johnny34

· #12 · 11 mo ago

For my SP-2, I upgraded my MC to a Brembo RCS17 Corsa Corta and it has made a world of difference. I am running braided lines and CL XBK5 pads. Stock calipers and rotors. Probably one of the best upgrades I have made and you can really feel the difference from the stock MC.

The forum will show you that the SP-1 benefits from the RCS19 while the SP-2 is best with the 17 on stock calipers.

Fortysix&2

· #13 · 11 mo ago

Yes, Sp1 had larger pistons in the calipers vs the Sp2.

MARKC 51

Discussion Starter · #14 · 11 mo ago

Johnny34 said:
For my SP-2, I upgraded my MC to a Brembo RCS17 Corsa Corta and it has made a world of difference. I am running braided lines and CL XBK5 pads. Stock calipers and rotors. Probably one of the best upgrades I have made and you can really feel the difference from the stock MC.

The forum will show you that the SP-1 benefits from the RCS19 while the SP-2 is best with the 17 on stock calipers.

Thank you. I will definitely be using this information. Do you have to use the brembo levers with the MC? I have a nice pair of shorty CRG levers that I really like. Do I need to ditch them?

Fortysix&2 said:
Yes, Sp1 had larger pistons in the calipers vs the Sp2.

ok so if I eventually plan on getting brembo calipers would you go with the 17 or the 19?

Johnny34

· #15 · 11 mo ago

MARKC 51 said:
Do you have to use the brembo levers with the MC? I have a nice pair of shorty CRG levers that I really like.

Reactions: 2

Fortysix&2

· #16 · 11 mo ago

MARKC 51 said:
Thank you. I will definitely be using this information. Do you have to use the brembo levers with the MC? I have a nice pair of shorty CRG levers that I really like. Do I need to ditch them?

ok so if I eventually plan on getting brembo calipers would you go with the 17 or the 19?

19’s

Reactions: 1

MARKC 51

Discussion Starter · #17 · 11 mo ago

Fortysix&2 said:
19’s

Thank you kind sir. In that case I probably won't get the MC installed until I have the calipers (m4 100m monoblock nickel finish) that are compatible.

Reactions: 1

Buildsbyscott

· #18 · 11 mo ago

The stock calipers the came on the RC are some of the best out there. The masters are okay, but not great. Stainless lines are a must and a proven upgrade. My setup is Brembo RCS19 for masters with the stock calipers( CL pads) and stainless lines. It stops like you dropped an anchor.
It’s amazing on the track and off.
Unless you are racing at a motoGP level you will not out ride the calipers. The Brembo masters are great and very adjustable to get the perfect amount of feedback. I stuck with the Brembo levers, though may be changing them to a shorty set for an upcoming track day.
Mike over at Kyle racing can get all this stuff for you and at better prices than I have found anywhere. He also has a deep love for these bikes. Give him a call he’ll get you sorted.
Cheers

Reactions: 2

MARKC 51

Discussion Starter · #19 · 11 mo ago

Buildsbyscott said:
The stock calipers the came on the RC are some of the best out there. The masters are okay, but not great. Stainless lines are a must and a proven upgrade. My setup is Brembo RCS19 for masters with the stock calipers( CL pads) and stainless lines. It stops like you dropped an anchor.
It’s amazing on the track and off.
Unless you are racing at a motoGP level you will not out ride the calipers. The Brembo masters are great and very adjustable to get the perfect amount of feedback. I stuck with the Brembo levers, though may be changing them to a shorty set for an upcoming track day.
Mike over at Kyle racing can get all this stuff for you and at better prices than I have found anywhere. He also has a deep love for these bikes. Give him a call he’ll get you sorted.
Cheers

you answered a question that I had previously thank you. I can use my adjustable shortys on a brembo MC. Thought I had to ditch them and be stuck with the brembo levers. So far braided lines are installed, sintered EBC pads are installed. According to what you mentioned I just need the MC. I'm not going to lie, I would be getting the brembo calipers just for looks.lol I know I know, that would be an expensive cosmetic but my bike is really close to cherry new calipers would be a nice touch. Thank you for the insight.

Buildsbyscott

· #20 · 11 mo ago

MARKC 51 said:
you answered a question that I had previously thank you. I can use my adjustable shortys on a brembo MC. Thought I had to ditch them and be stuck with the brembo levers. So far braided lines are installed, sintered EBC pads are installed. According to what you mentioned I just need the MC. I'm not going to lie, I would be getting the brembo calipers just for looks.lol I know I know, that would be an expensive cosmetic but my bike is really close to cherry new calipers would be a nice touch. Thank you for the insight.

Not sure about your shorty levers. Brembo have a shorty and a standard( long length). I’ll be getting the Brembo shorty levers. I would guess you can’t mix and match them.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.