350bhp/380bhp

[prj]

In your experience, would a car currently running on a remapped set up but with stock exhaust see any benefit from a full 3" turbo back, without remapping?

If your current exhaust has cats and the new one doesn't, then yes.
If your current exhaust already has the cats removed, then no.

[Error404]

Its scares me to think of cars with 350+ horses running around on 20 year old suspension and archaic miniature twin pot calipers

[prj]

Its scares me to think of cars with 350+ horses running around on 20 year old suspension and archaic miniature twin pot calipers

It doesn't matter how much hp you have, unless you get into a habit of repeatedly accelerating and braking so much that the brakes fade, only then is it an issue, if the system is overhauled.

I mean you can happily accelerate to over 100 mph with the car stock, with more power you just get there quicker.

I don't see the obsession with brakes unless you track your car. The stock brakes when the calipers have been serviced and the pads and discs are in good condition will stop your car quite effectively from 100 mph to zero. And in the end, brakes don't stop your car... tires are more important, unless you are doing repeated stops.

IMO, as I said before, it is a given that everything on your car is in top order before upgrading the power. If you have loose suspension and worn brakes, then you have to be a bit to think about power upgrades.

[Error404]

put it this way - would a manufacturer equip a 1500kg 350+ hp 160mph+ car with 280mm discs and twin pot calipers?
nope.

[prj]

put it this way - would a manufacturer equip a 1500kg 350+ hp 160mph+ car with 280mm discs and twin pot calipers?
nope.

Where are you going to go 160+ MPH in the UK?

Manufacturer always does everything with the worst case scenario in mind.

[Fat Audi 80]

Where are you going to go 160+ MPH in the UK?

Manufacturer always does everything with the worst case scenario in mind.

... the A1M coming back from Scotland at 7.00am on a bank holiday monday. (indicated 150 mph)

(On stock brakes )

[SE_30]

. And in the end, brakes don't stop your car... tires are more important, unless you are doing repeated stops.

I agree with the service / overhaul of the standard brakes Prj, but what I think you meant to say here is the combination of good brakes and branded tyres play a huge factor in stopping the car. Most people do the brake upgrade as a nice mod with piece of mind for future when they up the power.

[djh]

I don't see the obsession with brakes unless you track your car. The stock brakes when the calipers have been serviced and the pads and discs are in good condition will stop your car quite effectively from 100 mph to zero. And in the end, brakes don't stop your car... tires are more important, unless you are doing repeated stops.

I had brand new stock front/rear brakes all bedded in when I purchased one of my s2's. On the way home it couldn't even stop the car in normal braking. I've only ever had one s2 that the brakes feel good.

Where are you going to go 160+ MPH in the UK?

Manufacturer always does everything with the worst case scenario in mind.

Hertsfordshire about a month ago.

[macspring]

Djh,

I had brand new stock front/rear brakes all bedded in when I purchased one of my s2's. On the way home it couldn't even stop the car in normal braking. I've only ever had one s2 that the brakes feel good.

Can I ask what the condition of the brake fluid was, as the fluid if it is really old will be one of the weakest link in the brake "chain".



Having said that I have 996 type front brakes as apart from being ultimately better than oem, they look much nicer than oem front brakes when running 18" visually open style rims.

[prj]

I've only ever had one s2 that the brakes feel good.

Meaning that on the rest there was something wrong with the brakes?

I agree with the service / overhaul of the standard brakes Prj, but what I think you meant to say here is the combination of good brakes and branded tyres play a huge factor in stopping the car. Most people do the brake upgrade as a nice mod with piece of mind for future when they up the power.

Yes, I agree, but I don't associate the increase in braking power with increased power.
Even a stock car with only a remap is enough to make a quick job of the stock brakes if you drive aggressively.

I guess I just don't see how the increased power contributes that much to it. It has plenty of power stock to get you into trouble.
I think whether you need a brake upgrade or not depends first and foremost on your driving style, and whether you plan taking your car to the track.

I've driven different S2's with very different brakes, and I don't see anything wrong with a fully serviced and working stock system (which is rare!) in normal conditions.

[djh]

Meaning that on the rest there was something wrong with the brakes?

no this one had mintex pads which made a big difference

Can I ask what the condition of the brake fluid was, as the fluid if it is really old will be one of the weakest link in the brake "chain".

the superblue brake fluid stuff forum members reckons is good. All changed same time, new brake bomb as well.

[macspring]

Agreed, wouldn't have an issue with Superblue either.

Obviously dependent on each persons' driving style /mood, have to say the oem brakes are marginal, the brakes were mentioned in the road tests back in the day as a weak link and worth upgrading, ( even if it's just pads ).

The various road test have been posted on here by various members over the time, mentioned just in case some members on here have not got to read them.

[Sonic]

Brakes give me more confidence in the car especially when travelling at higher speeds... even 996's didnt give me the level of confidence that i wanted.

If it doesn't stop on a 10-pence piece then it ain't quick enough

[mcandmar]

I found the real weakness of stock brakes is on a twisty back road where you are constantly adding 20-30mph then braking into the next corner, i could do the wicklow gap flatout in the CQ20v no problem on stock brakes, with the S2 Avant they were cooked within 10 minutes. Combination of extra weight and added speed between corners.

But as Sonic says its the confidence that makes all the difference, the fact you can dab the brakes and scrub off 20mph in an instant, and the fact they perform the same time after time. I also love the fact i now have a solid brake pedal that you can modulate with pressure, stock setup is just too squisy to have any feel of how much force you are applying. Makes all the difference on a slippy surface.

[Bullysteeth]

... the A1M coming back from Scotland at 7.00am on a bank holiday monday. (indicated 150 mph)

(On stock brakes )

Tut Tut