Brake Upgrades

[DirtySanchez]

Good morning, I've just taken on a Volvo V60 D3 2011... Its my first trip into Volvo ownership and so far I'm pleasantly surprised.

I need to replace the front discs and pads but before I do I wondered if there we're any cross platform upgrades that can be done for better braking performance... for example does a bigger caliper/disc setup bolt on from another model? There is a small amount of aesthetics about this as well but I'm young and still enjoy a little bit of "modifying"

Cheers!

[Clan]

Originally Posted by DirtySanchez

Good morning, I've just taken on a Volvo V60 D3 2011... Its my first trip into Volvo ownership and so far I'm pleasantly surprised.

I need to replace the front discs and pads but before I do I wondered if there we're any cross platform upgrades that can be done for better braking performance... for example does a bigger caliper/disc setup bolt on from another model? There is a small amount of aesthetics about this as well but I'm young and still enjoy a little bit of "modifying"

Cheers!

What deficiency have you found , Overheating?

[DirtySanchez]

Originally Posted by Clan

What deficiency have you found , Overheating?

No deficiency as such but I'm used to a little more stopping power, previous cars (Audi A4 & BMW 3 series) had a 6 piston front calipers so just used to something with a little more bite.

I'm not looking at a multi piston caliper but if there is an option to upgrade to something a little meatier from another Volvo model while I'm replacing discs and pads I thought it would warrant a little research. I've done the usual googling/searching but not returning any results for what I'm looking for.

[TeamG]

So replacing existing brakes that can already trigger the ABS and exceed the available grip in the tyres with brakes that are heavier and more expensive (more unsprung weight)?

The only two scenarios that I could possibly understand this are regular towing in the alps (where heat/fade may justify bigger brakes working less hard) or on the track (which is no place for a Volvo).

Perhaps spend the cash on better tyres, which would actually improve the capability of your overall braking system?

[Tannaton]

Contrary to popular belief, more pistons doesn't mean more stopping power. The force you exert on the pedal gets amplified by the servo and distributed to the pads through the fluid - that force is constant, the number of pistons is irrelevant as is their size. If the total surface area of the pistons is low, then the pressure exerted by that piston is higher.... the greater the surface area, the pressure is lower but overall effort remains the same. Pascals law of Pressure = Force / Area applies...

Multi piston calipers are usually used when the pads are quite large and having only one piston may mean there is a risk of bending the metal back plate. Having pistons on both sides is a better design and makes for more "feel" but doesn't improve stopping power per se.

The best route is rebuild the brakes with genuine Volvo discs and pads - these give the best feel and stopping power in a standard set up - make sure the pads are free to move in the caliper and the pins are free. You could go for a stickier compound pad but that wouldn't last as long and likely to produce more brake dust. But if you are doing the work yourself that's not going to be an issue....

All of the above of course assumes you stick with the same size brake disc - if you can fit larger discs (i.e. greater surface area and heat capacity) then that will yield improvements.

[sda2489]

Read this:-

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=304762

Easy and cheap.

I have done it on my T6 as well with slighter newer/lighter 336mm stuff.

[DirtySanchez]

Originally Posted by TeamG

So replacing existing brakes that can already trigger the ABS and exceed the available grip in the tyres with brakes that are heavier and more expensive (more unsprung weight)?

The only two scenarios that I could possibly understand this are regular towing in the alps (where heat/fade may justify bigger brakes working less hard) or on the track (which is no place for a Volvo).

Perhaps spend the cash on better tyres, which would actually improve the capability of your overall braking system?

Agreed.. my Volvo has no place being near a race track, that said it might get used for sighting laps at the next track day I'm at.

Tyres are Pirelli P Zero, plenty of tread and grip from them.

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Contrary to popular belief, more pistons doesn't mean more stopping power. The force you exert on the pedal gets amplified by the servo and distributed to the pads through the fluid - that force is constant, the number of pistons is irrelevant as is their size. If the total surface area of the pistons is low, then the pressure exerted by that piston is higher.... the greater the surface area, the pressure is lower but overall effort remains the same. Pascals law of Pressure = Force / Area applies...

Multi piston calipers are usually used when the pads are quite large and having only one piston may mean there is a risk of bending the metal back plate. Having pistons on both sides is a better design and makes for more "feel" but doesn't improve stopping power per se.

The best route is rebuild the brakes with genuine Volvo discs and pads - these give the best feel and stopping power in a standard set up - make sure the pads are free to move in the caliper and the pins are free. You could go for a stickier compound pad but that wouldn't last as long and likely to produce more brake dust. But if you are doing the work yourself that's not going to be an issue....

Aware of the science, I've built a number of track cars over the years and spent a lot of time maximising braking performance on my old track car.

Thanks for the feedback guys, this was just to satisfy my own want for something a little bigger behind the wheels but after a bit of research today it doesnt appear anything is out there. I'll get a decent set of discs and pads order, replace the fluid, check the calipers and overhaul if needed maybe even replace the flexi pipes if they look a bit past it. Pretty sure that will be a good starting point.

[TeamG]

The best ‘upgrade’ I’ve actually made to brakes is to properly clean the calipers during a pad change with the three tubes of Proslip caliper grease. The pins in particular - properly clean and lightly greased can make a noticeable difference in pedal feel as the brakes engage and disengage more smoothly.

[D6PHEV]

Anybody come across a set of cross-drilled and grooved discs for the 336mm system?
Combine them with some Polestar blue paint for the calipers.

Wouldn't mind a bit of bling behind the wheels. Go well with the stage II tune under the bonnet.