Evo X front brake swap for Evo 8/9
 

credit goes to Marty Grand for the info and feedback that he gave me on his setup. the evo brake setup suited me fine when i didnt have abs, i wasn't braking as late as i could because of rear lockup and flat spot tire. after installing abs, i brake much later and harder, then the stock brakes started to show it's weakness. by the end of the 2nd hot lap, i would have to push the pedal a lot harder to get the car to slow down the same, and using up a lot more pads. i was considering the Essex kit for awhile, mainly for cheaper pads, and being able to keep 17" wheels.

after talking to Marty about his setup, it was easy to make the decision and switch to all 18" wheels. i already have two sets of 18" wheels for TT, and 4 sets of 17" for other uses. so now i'll have to sell those and buy two more sets of 18".

i went to VIR last weekend and made the decisions to install them the night before i left for track. because my rain tires are 17", so i couldn't run them if i did the swap, and they were calling for rain.

its probably one of the best mod i've done to the car. threshold braking is so much easier now without having to smash on the pedal, and the brakes stayed consistent laps after lap. the pad wear is noticeable less also. i did not get a chance to take rotor temp but i'll do that at a different event.

i scored a really nice condition set of calipers on ebay, the stock pads was still 80% on them for $400 shipped. and i also got a used set of evo x mr two piece rotors for $200. nice thing about this setup i can use cheap one piece OE rotors if i want, or have them as backup.

install is very straight forward. the only mod you have to do is drill out the mounting hole on the knuckle for the larger bolts on the evo x calipers. i recommend using reamer drill bit. i used a regular drill bit and it lasted a few seconds before it chipped the bit. the reamer bit cut very nice, just make sure you add lubricant while drilling.

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/at...1&d=1464092234


evo x mr rotors vs RacingBrake evo 9 rotors. 350mm vs 320mm

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/at...1&d=1464092234


evo x caliper bolts vs evo 9

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/at...1&d=1464092234


after drilling out

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/at...1&d=1464092234

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/at...1&d=1464092234

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/at...1&d=1464092234

Sweet! Thanks for the write up!

How does this help me dodge cones fast? :lol:

more rotational mass, so you wont leave 1st gear, hence slower speed and easier to dodge cones. welcome :D

Any info on the rears?

The mounting holes for the calipers are different, you would have to fab a bracket.

do evos need more rear braking though? i can still feel my rear abs coming on before the front. using dtc60 rear and ferodo dsuno front

Not necc more, but I'd like something more reliable and readily available in there to balance the AP's up front. Bigger pad/disc to make it take heat better, etc.

i see. even if you get rear evo x calipers on, does the evo x rear rotor even fit with the drum ebrake. not sure if they are same size or not.

I use the same compounds. Small world. LOL

The AP setup was designed to work with the OEM rears. When I was talking to Jeff @ Essex, he said that they made sure the brake balance was the same as OEM.

He also shared that the rear brakes are very good on our cars and it would be pointless to design a rear kit for our cars. If I remember correctly, as the conversation was like 5 years ago. :D

very cool! these brakes definitely don't clear 17s? ie stock bbs's?

No, the X brakes require 18's. You could get some X MR BBS's...lol

I saw you going around in VIR and the other Evos too. :):):)

Nice write up! Great to see you got them on there.