Ceramic brakes. Again ?

[fataitch]

Sorry if this seems to be dragging up other posts, but can't find the info I need.

Do calipers on ceramic brakes differ in their properties when compared to those fitted to iron discs or is it just the dimensions to fit the ceramic discs that differ ? I assume they'll have ceramic pistons, but anything else ?

The reason I ask is that I may be able to get some "ceramic" calipers for a reasonable price, but don't know how they differ to standard calipers.

After research, it appears to be the discs themselves that are the main expense, Brembo charging about £2k each, before any additional hardware.

So, could I obtain ceramic discs and just fit them to a normal set of alloy bells and job done, or am I missing something ?

After further research, a Brembo upgrade to 380mm looks like it will cost no more than replacing with std. brakes through a dealer, subject to some additional measurements. Approx £1k. Bargain.

Hayden

[S4INT]

The calipers are completely different. The standard calipers have 8 pistons and have four pads per caliper, whereas the "ceramic" calipers have 6 pistons and two pads per caliper. The pad size and material is completely different on the ceramic brakes, therefore you couldn't use standard pads with ceramic discs. The ceramic discs are also larger diameter.

If you are going to do it, then you will need discs, pads, wear sensors (separate part) and calipers. I believe you will also need to re-code the ABS to tell it you are using ceramics.

[fataitch]

Thanks for the reply.

I understand that the size of the calipers and composition of the pads will be different, but my question was around the properties of the caliper itself. Is it still made of cast alloy or iron ? Or is it made of some other material that dissipates the heat more efficiently ? Are the pistons ceramic ?

Hayden

[S4INT]

Pretty sure the calipers are alloy, and the pistons are yellow and almost plastic in appearance. Could be ceramic, but don't know why they would be. The standard caliper pistons appear to be steel.

[Doug_S2]

you can use steel discs with the ceramic calipers - if you can find a steel disc with such a large swept area for the pad.

[fataitch]

I suspect the pistons are ceramic, probably to do with their superior performance under extreme heat conditions.

I think you can upgrade to ceramic pistons on any Brembo caliper.

Re the large annulus (swept area), it looks like you'd have to have discs made specifically to fit, so struggling to see the point.

Overall then, unless there's a "cheap" way of getting replacement ceramic discs, there doesn't seem a lot of point buying bargain calipers.

When the time comes, I think i'll go down the 380mm route.

Thanks for your input.

Hayden