EBC vented discs and pads

[Ollie]

Has anyone upgraded to the green EBC discs and pads? Mine are up for renewal and I'm thinking of plunging for better brakes in the 110.

Cheers.
Ollie.

[Henry Webster]

I run EBC pads and grooved cross drilled brakes on the racing Discovery and they are indeed very impressive.

As with all these things, there is no doubt a compromise.  Grooved discs work well, but are noisier and pads that are suitable for high temp stopping might not be as good in normal road conditions.

Do you find that you are short of braking power?  What are you running at the moment?

Regards

H

[Ollie]

Henry,
I'm running standard discs and pads on my 110. I've found, on a few occasions, that when trying to pull up rather sharpish, I've been very nearly let down [-o< . The pads need renewing anyway, so that's why I'm looking into upgrading.
Are you stating that the EBC setup is only really suited to racing?

Cheers for the input,
Ollie.

[davidlandy]

I think that the EBC brakes need a fair bit of heat in them to get them at their best - you may be better off sticking with standard or something a little less 'racy'

[Henry Webster]

I have no doubt that EBC do an appropriate pad for you, but it might not be the green-stuff, although to be fair I have very little experience of them in a 'normal' environment.  Worth asking EBC.

I've always found standard pads to be very good (genuine or O/E mind!) and even the back of the racer is equipped with standard stuff (at the moment).  I usually run out of brakes in most road cars, but the standard Discovery brakes seem fine for me (in the road/tow motor).

Is the front of your 110 vented at the moment? If not you are either into new calipers or at the very least a modification to fit them.  The racer does not have vented fronts and stops very well from 100+ mph.  It is a little lighter than your 110 though!

What sort of use does your 110 get?  I have uprated the pads on my friend's Golf and my old Sierra to the first level of competition spec in the past - the mintex equivalent to Green stuff, M1144s, and have been impressed with their ability from cold.  They were not quite as good as std pads when cold, but were awesome when hot (I would say the same for the EBCs on the racer.)

In short, I guess I am sitting on the fence.  Unless you think that std genuine pads will let you down, then I would stay with them, but if you are an enthusiastic driver then by all means spend the extra and upgrade, but I would suggest it is worth talking to EBC or a good supplier and pick their brains on what would be best for your usage.  I also reckon that you will be fine with standard, good condition discs.

[Ollie]

Is there anything out there that I can use to upgrade my brakes then. I've only heard of EBC?

Cheers Dave,
Ollie.

[muddyweb]

What tyres are yo uon there Ollie ?   I know in the 90, the brakes were always better when running on the ATs than on the MTs.  You get a lot more block movement on more agressive tyres and this affects the braking efficiency.

Things like grooved and vented discs improve the braking efficiency by dissipating heat more quickly and helping to reduce brake-fade....  the quality of the pad in the first place will have an effect on the initial braking response.  So it depends a little on where the weakness in your braking is showing up.

I have to say, I run standard stuff on the 90 without too many problems, and that tows a big, heavy trailer.

If the initial efficiency is an issue, then it may be down to the quality of pads, seized calipers, tyre issues, poor servo performance, etc.

[Henry Webster]

Thanks Tim,

Much of what I was intending to say, but much more succinctly! :lol:

H

[Porny]

Hrmm... EBC bits, I can get them trade price.... in saying that - probably not that much cheaper than some of the retail outlets - could find out though if you wanted??

EBC also do a standard compound pad, which are supposed to be slightly better than OE stuff.... just fitted a set to my brothers Disco (although haven't driven it yet, due to other problems - so can't actually comment!!)

A few of my mates have fitted green stuff pads to their road cars and noted improved brake performance... in saying that, they have been fitted to performace cars... not Land Rovers... but I think they would be ok if you wanted more!

New 'quality' (not the cheap 'no name' stuff - although some is ok) standard parts will make all the difference to your brakes though.

Also worth checking that the calipers/pistons are all moving correctly i.e not seized - easy to spot due to un-even wear of the brake pad.

Another upgrade would be braided brake lines (got mine from www.llama4x4.co.uk - David is a nice bloke, and cheapest price)... improve brake pedal feel as will not bulge under pressure - unlike standard (worn) hoses.

[Budgie]

I went for EBC solid discs for the front of the Disco 2 years ago and also a set on "normal" EBC pads to go with them. I found that the pads seemed too hard and the braking with them was no better than with the standard setup.
I've since renewed the calipers all round and changed to standard pads with a great improvement to the braking. Although I could do with a bit more servo assistance so I don't have to put so much pressure on the peddle!!  :?

Have to check the hoses for leaks at some point and if not that then I now have a spare servo & master cylinder that I got off eBay for £39!!   :D

[Ollie]

OK, I'm running AT Grabbers at the mo, only put the MT's on if I plan to go off road.
With all this helpful info, I'm going to keep my vented discs standard, and buy some new OE pads for them. Upgrade the hoses to braded steel and renew the brake fluid.

Thanks for the advice, saved me some money :(kerching):

Cheers
Ollie

[muddyweb]

Just a hint... sorry if you already know this...

When you get the new pads on there (the same applies to discs), try not to use them too heavily for a hundred miles or so.   One common problem with new brake components is that in order to test them, people go and and stand on the brakes....   this causes the pads to 'glaze' and will reduce efficiency.

Obviously, if you need to stop... stand as hard as you like !!

[Budgie]

Good advice Tim,
Took it easy with the set I put in about a month ago and it's much better than trying to bed them in as quick as you can.  

[nzrover]

And if you're just renewing the pads and not machining/renewing the rotors (discs) give the rotors a really good de-glazing with some emery.  That combined with a proper bedding in procedure (fit new pads, take it up to ~25mph, a moderately quick stop to ~5mph, carry on at least half a mile at 25mph & repeat -  5 or 6 times) and the above advice to treat them gently for the first 100 miles or so will give you very good, long lasting brake pads.