Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2668
Brembo 6 pot conversion – D4
Talk to me about the the Brembo 6 pot conversion for D4s
My boat on it’s trailer tops 2tns, and when loaded with diving gear, the younger Nashers smaller boat, and 2 weeks-worth camping gear including our collapsible canvas bungalow, it’s probably more like 3tns.
The first time I towed it with my D3 I was impressed with how the D3 handled it, but not how it stopped, so I very quickly changed the front discs and Caliper carriers to the larger diameter V8 ones. That improved things no end and I always made sure I used good quality discs and pads at replacement time.
Now I have my D4 and will be towing my boat with it for the first time in a couple of months, I’m thinking about brakes.
Probably because I was used to the V8 Brakes that I kept in great order on the D3, I’ve already felt a couple of times that the D4 Brakes are a little lacking.
I’ve not looked at them in detail yet, but can see through the wheel that the discs and pads look in god order so I’m not expecting to improve the standard set up too much.
The obvious thing to do is bite the bullet and go with a Brembo 6 pot conversion, which is expensive but probably worth it.
I know I need:
A pair of 6 pot calipers
A pair of 380mmm Discs
Set of Pads to suit.
A pair of replacement mud shields
Having the 20 inch HSE Lux 5/10 spoke wheels, can somebody confirm if I’ll need some slim wheel spacers, 3 or 5mm?
I might even consider some stainless braided hoses whilst I’m bleeding the brakes anyway.
Stupidly it’s the first thing I’ve always done to motorcycles I’ve brought but not often to a car.
So to those that have done the conversion, can I ask how the brakes feel under normal driving conditions?
Are they for example too fierce or sudden, maybe activating the ABS all the time in the wet to easily?
Also, what reaction have you had from your insurers?
I know we know it’s a safety improvement, but my experience with insurers on such things in the past have ranged from really good to really bad, with nothing in the middle. I’m not sure how my current insurers will react, and having only just renewed for a year I’d rather not change companies at the moment.
Thanks
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
3rd Feb 2020 11:00 am
sasdiscos
Member Since: 22 Feb 2013
Location: Northants
Posts: 885
I thought about the 4 pot upgrade. Did it to my d3 and then the 6 pot to the ffrr.
In all honesty it made no difference to the braking in my opinion. It’s just bragging rights and the nice look of a massive set of callipers under the wheels. The swept volume is the same on the standard callipers.
SteveYou remind me of a younger me, not much younger mind...perhaps even a little older!
3rd Feb 2020 11:12 am
sasdiscos
Member Since: 22 Feb 2013
Location: Northants
Posts: 885
This was the disco 3 upgrade.
Probably better than standard just about.
Then the ffrr. These are massive.
You remind me of a younger me, not much younger mind...perhaps even a little older!
3rd Feb 2020 11:23 am
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2668
Thanks sasdiscos
I'm surprised to hear you didn't notice any difference.
I'm not after bragging rights, and will probably go for Grey or Black calipers so they are not so obvious.
What did your insurers say?
Can anyone else comment.
Thanks
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
3rd Feb 2020 2:05 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23261
My own experiences with several D4’s was that a brake upgrade wasn’t necessary. I towed a laden plant trailer several times and all was fine.
I did the V8 upgrade on my D3.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography
3rd Feb 2020 2:12 pm
M3bobby
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Sleaford, LINCS.
Posts: 857
I’ve got the 6 pots as standard on my sport fitted with EBC yellow stuff and I wouldn’t fancy stopping with anything else. The yellow stuff have made a massive difference compared to OE pads.
I’m no brake expert but surely the swept area isn’t as important as the contact surface area? The 6 pot pads are twice the size of the standard.012MY RRS 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography (Current)
Mods:
TPMS (Complete but got an issue)
Genuine LR DRLs (Complete)
Remote Boot close from key fob (Complete)
2016 Discovery 4 Mirrors AKA RRS2 (Complete)
2014 L405 Surround Camera retro fit (Now 2016 L319)
2013 RRS Dual View Screen fit (Complete)
2016 LR4 RSE (Complete)
2014 LR4 Homelink (Complete)
2016 FFRR Electrochromatic Wing Mirror Glass (Complete)
3rd Feb 2020 2:41 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23261
My understanding and I'm happy to be corrected:
The swept area is the area of the disc that is covered by the pads. The larger the unswept area, as well as the size of the disc, the faster the heat build up in the disc can dissipate.
Therefore the danger of increasing the the swept area, but retaining the same sized discs is one of excessive heat build up in the disc.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography
3rd Feb 2020 3:03 pm
M3bobby
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Sleaford, LINCS.
Posts: 857
I had a feeling heat dissipation may have an impact.
Anyone know for sure if the discs are the same size as I thought I’d read the Brembo front discs were 5mm larger. Hence why the RRS SC wheel was 20” as standard with a very few select 19” just slipping in if required.012MY RRS 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography (Current)
Mods:
TPMS (Complete but got an issue)
Genuine LR DRLs (Complete)
Remote Boot close from key fob (Complete)
2016 Discovery 4 Mirrors AKA RRS2 (Complete)
2014 L405 Surround Camera retro fit (Now 2016 L319)
2013 RRS Dual View Screen fit (Complete)
2016 LR4 RSE (Complete)
2014 LR4 Homelink (Complete)
2016 FFRR Electrochromatic Wing Mirror Glass (Complete)
3rd Feb 2020 3:55 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23261
Well that’s my understanding of it and why the D3 V8 brakes had larger discs, but the used the exact same calipers as the TDV6 brakes.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography
3rd Feb 2020 4:05 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2668
Thanks to all who've replied, but I was hoping to have had more comments from people who've done it.
Is it really not worth it?
What are the other options?
Is a set of Grooved and Drilled discs with the standard calipers a better bet?
Has anyone actualy told their insurance company?
Thanks
NasherHeaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
4th Feb 2020 7:48 am
sasdiscos
Member Since: 22 Feb 2013
Location: Northants
Posts: 885
Give them a ring and ask is the best way. Plenty of people modify cars etc and get insurance.
They should insure anything for the right price.
I really did think about doing the 4pot upgrade purely because I like that sort of thing but I decided it’s just not worth it.
The 6pot upgrade is surely overkill?
SteveYou remind me of a younger me, not much younger mind...perhaps even a little older!
4th Feb 2020 7:56 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20713
The 4 pot upgrade on a D4 is a waste of time, unless you like the bling
Member Since: 06 Mar 2018
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 390
M3bobby wrote:
I’ve got the 6 pots as standard on my sport fitted with EBC yellow stuff and I wouldn’t fancy stopping with anything else. The yellow stuff have made a massive difference.
What discs are those yellows pressing on?visiting from www.rrsport.co.uk
4th Feb 2020 6:43 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2668
Can anyone confirm if I'll need wheel spacers?
Considering how marginal the front wheel bearings are on a D3/4 I don't want to add them unless I have to.
I don't really want to buy them just in case I need them, and certainly don't want to put the wheels on and then find I need them.
Thanks
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
6th Feb 2020 10:34 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23261
I’d suggest running it as is for a while longer and see how you get on. Maybe try a different type of pad, before committing the time and £’s on the Brembo conversion.
Unlike the D3, I never the felt the need to change the brakes on my D4’s. Better brakes are always great, but they’d have been low down my list of modifications.
I’d not use spacers, although I’m aware that others have.
2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography
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