I'm due for new brakes and I wante to hear what some of you are running these days. I have a 2003 OZ; yes with drum rear, and I would like to b able to get the best "bite" possible from a factory size set up. I've currently been looking at the Brembo slotted maybe mixed with a race pad? Anywho I'm open to suggestions, but I would rather not get into conversion unless cost effective.

 

when i had my oz, i used kvr cross-drilled rotors (bought on-line, a little more expensive) and axxis ultimate pads (bought from RRM). I had stainless steel brake lines too, but i never installed them (sold them eventually).

my car was a DD, but it was also my autocross car. i loved how the rotors looked and performed, and the brake pads were a real good upgrade over the oem pads. very grabby but predictable stopping power.

In answer to your question - brembo slotted or powerslot (from rrm) rotors are a good upgrade over the oem rotors. if your car is going to be just a daily though - get some Hawk pads for an upgrade. you dont need anything drastic like a race pad, but the car will definately benefit from the new brake pads.

 

I guess to further explain my concern; my car in particular, feels to me as if the brake bias is "off" in some way. With stock brakes ( disk front and drum rear), my car will plunge into the ground under daily braking. But when I aply about half brake and half e-brake the car feels solid and planted when it comes to a halt. I have stock suspension so I do realize that that comes into play. Another trait that leads me to this thought is the fact that I have 80k miles and I have never need to replace the rear drum shoes, they practically look barely used, and yes all my lines are in great shape and fluid is good too. Is there anyway to adjust the brake bias on a 03OZ?

 

the front end of the car will usually "dive" under braking because the front brakes do about 90% of the stopping. the rear only does about 10% so the rear brake shoes won't have much wear even after extended mileage. your rear shoes are where your e-brake holds too.

I personally have never heard of someone doing what you do with the half-brake / half e-brake. maybe why it feel solid is because your forcing the shoes to move further than if you just hit the brakes alone. got me on that one.

as far as adjusting brake bias, brake pressure is controlled by a proportioning valve that distributes fluid pressure based on need between the front and the rear. i've never heard of adjusting it, but you can either #1 - take it to a shop and see if you have a problem... or #2 go to Summit Racing and see if they have something like that that you can adjust.

good luck.

 

on a lancer 02 with 105K, the rear shoes looked like new, I measured them, it was really close to factory thickness, I was shocked.
As for the front braking, new shocks and good tires really make a difference. So unless you have "iced" your rotors after overheating (that happens if your calipers got well rusted or you are a mountain monster...), I'd look into new shocks

 

Our Premium Slotted rotors with Hawk HPS pads or Stoptech pads. You can also change your brakes lines to SS. This is the best setup you can possible set up you can get from us unless you get a BBK. Let me know if you're interested and I'd be glad to help you out.

 

Can you PM me a price for the slotted rotors and Stoptech pads shipped to 01905? I have ordered from you guys before but never anything other then OEM equivilent. I have an 05 lancer ES.