99 SL 1 performance brakes?
realhp=turbo
01-06-2011, 09:19 PM
My wife has a 99 SL1 and since shes got a daily 40 mile round trip drive Id like to put some better brakes on it. These rotors have been replaced three times now. Is there an option for larger better brakes (brembo?)
Anybody else have these same thoughts or ideas?
Anybody else have these same thoughts or ideas?
Ruley73
01-16-2011, 02:57 PM
Honesty, no one offers much of a legitimate upgrade for brakes that are worthwhile for a daily driver.
I recommend a premium (i.e. not the cheapest option) set of regular rotors, and a premium set of ceramic brake pads like Wearever, Wagner or Raybestos. Be sure to spray the rotors with brake cleaner to get the all of the assembly lube off of them prior to installation. Lastly, make sure the new pads are broken in properly. The general recommendation is 3 gradual 60-0 MPH stops.
Obviously, check the rear drum brakes and adjust as necessary. Make sure the other parts of your brake system are in good working order too such as the calipers (front) and wheel cylinders (rear). Make sure the caliper pins up front are lubed up with a correct high-temp brake lube.
If it has never been changed, it also would be a good idea (but not absolutely necessary) to change the brake fluid.
If you are dead set on an upgrade, you could convert the rear drum brakes to rear disc with various junkyard parts from older Saturn S-Series models for under $300. But honestly, the gain would not be very beneficial for a daily driver IMO. This was part of the reason why Saturn dropped rear disc brakes from the ABS-equipped S-cars starting with the 1999 model year. It was borderline overkill for a 2400 Ibs car..
This is a mod that Saturn autocross racers often perform to take some of the stress off of the front brakes. The idea is to lower the temps of the front brakes a little which helps decrease brake fade from the frequent heavy braking that occurs in auto crossing.
During day-to-day driving the brakes are very rarely used in the extreme manner they are in autocross racing. The brakes should very rarely see the same high temps as in autocross racing. This is why I say that it's not worthwhile.
I recommend a premium (i.e. not the cheapest option) set of regular rotors, and a premium set of ceramic brake pads like Wearever, Wagner or Raybestos. Be sure to spray the rotors with brake cleaner to get the all of the assembly lube off of them prior to installation. Lastly, make sure the new pads are broken in properly. The general recommendation is 3 gradual 60-0 MPH stops.
Obviously, check the rear drum brakes and adjust as necessary. Make sure the other parts of your brake system are in good working order too such as the calipers (front) and wheel cylinders (rear). Make sure the caliper pins up front are lubed up with a correct high-temp brake lube.
If it has never been changed, it also would be a good idea (but not absolutely necessary) to change the brake fluid.
If you are dead set on an upgrade, you could convert the rear drum brakes to rear disc with various junkyard parts from older Saturn S-Series models for under $300. But honestly, the gain would not be very beneficial for a daily driver IMO. This was part of the reason why Saturn dropped rear disc brakes from the ABS-equipped S-cars starting with the 1999 model year. It was borderline overkill for a 2400 Ibs car..
This is a mod that Saturn autocross racers often perform to take some of the stress off of the front brakes. The idea is to lower the temps of the front brakes a little which helps decrease brake fade from the frequent heavy braking that occurs in auto crossing.
During day-to-day driving the brakes are very rarely used in the extreme manner they are in autocross racing. The brakes should very rarely see the same high temps as in autocross racing. This is why I say that it's not worthwhile.
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