Brembo Swap - Mix & Match Evo 8/9/X Caliper + Rotor

[Fullthrottle7]

I tried to read through most of the Brembo swap threads to gather all of the info up and feel like the only swaps so far have involved running matching sets. Either an Evo 8/9 caliper with 12.6" rotor or an Evo X caliper with 13.1" rotor combo.

I have a freshly powdercoated set of 9 calipers and the currently available brackets, but don't want to have to cut/drill/grind anything out of them which would severely limit resale options. Since the EvoX rotor is a bit bigger, I was hoping to get a new bracket designed that would allow for us to use the 8/9 caliper with an X rotor and completely avoid any cutting, drilling, or grinding to the hub or caliper. This would also position the caliper straight up and down, I don't love having to clock them either up or down.

I've tried to model everything up after taking measurements while just holding things up and it seems like the extra space will be enough to clear. Curious if anyone else has tried anything similar or if any of the guys that currently have Brembo's on that are clocked down would prefer to have them straight up and down instead? Here is a pic of what I'm working on so far:

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[TSiAWD666]

Evo X rotors are 350mm (13.78"), not 13.1".

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Straight up and down? Explain this part? Also they are clocked but they can also turn the adaptor around and it makes it sit closer to the oem location and looks much nicer.

With adaptors your always going to be adjusting something wether it be knuckle or caliper, since the evo X caliper is taller for the wider discs they would ideally be a better option then the X discs 5-9 calipers but saying that i also know the front pads on evo 9 calipers are the same as X so the surface area is going to be the same so in theory it should work out well, as the X discs are also 2 piece moving it away from the knuckle will give you better chance of a more bolt on afair and zero grinding but that is only speculation as this is a new way and ive not seen a cross between the 2 as of yet even on evos they have not dont this i dont think. I dont know if it matters on this but the X calipers use a m14 bolt rather then the m12 the 5-9 calipers use so not sure if this is for added strength or something so keep that in mind when making a new bracked and give it a bit more to hold onto when bolting it in, it might be because the disc is further out or not. Cannot help further on that part sorry

Im still confused on the straight up and down part though* do you mean 12 or 6 position? Or you mean 9 or 10 position as the clocked way is about 7-8 position unless they are flipped around.

 

[Black95TSIawd]

Evo X caliper and bracket would be HUGE on a DSM. That's good. What's not so good is the addition of all that weight. New stock evo X rotors weigh over 24 pounds each. That's a lot and the main reason why I went with a TCE kit.

EDIT: However, all that weight is also a good heat sink.

 

[Fullthrottle7]

Evo X rotors are 350mm (13.78"), not 13.1".

Thanks for the correction, I have been working with metric measurements in CATIA and spaced out what the stock measurement was in inches! That is better for me though, I initially tried to make this bracket with the normal Evo 9 caliper and rotor in mind and it was looking a bit too tight. A full extra inch in diameter would definitely give me the clearance I'd need, now I just have to worry about backspacing and hub height on the 2 piece X rotor vs. the 9 rotor.

I'm also trying to gather data on the 350/370Z rotors as many guys have used them in other Brembo swaps. The hub spacing is the same, but I'm not sure on total diameter, width, and hat height.

Im still confused on the straight up and down part though* do you mean 12 or 6 position? Or you mean 9 or 10 position as the clocked way is about 7-8 position unless they are flipped around.

Basically I want the caliper to stand straight up and down with the ends pretty much at 11 and 7 on the clock. I don't mind when the current bracket is used to clock the ends into the 2g knuckle leaving them at pretty much a 1 and 9 angle since the rear calipers are almost identical. Again though, that requires a lot of grinding to the knuckle itself AND still requires grinding into the caliper to clear the bracket.

I really think that using the X rotor with the 9 caliper will work with this design. As you mentioned, the mounting bolt was changed to an M14 on the X caliper which may have been done to address the extra leverage on it, but I'm sure using the stock M12 from the 9 would be fine still, its only moving outboard about 1/2" from it's original location.

 

[Fullthrottle7]

Evo X caliper and bracket would be HUGE on a DSM. That's good. What's not so good is the addition of all that weight. New stock evo X rotors weigh over 24 pounds each. That's a lot and the main reason why I went with a TCE kit.

EDIT: However, all that weight is also a good heat sink.

Appreciate the info on the weight, I agree these will be large on a DSM! I have 18's so they'll clear, but understand where you're coming from regarding the added unsprung mass. Eventually I'd love to get my car on a road course or AutoX track, but I have little time and even less expendable income to blow through tires, pads, etc. all the time. If I got more competitive I'd probably keep the Baer/Cobra setup I have now and get some light/wide 17's but I'm going mainly for a good looking, well rounded street car at the moment and already have the full caliper set waiting.

I'm also trying to practice engineering and design to try and move up in my career so I figured it couldn't hurt to have something like this on the resume, !

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Thanks for the correction, I have been working with metric measurements in CATIA and spaced out what the stock measurement was in inches! That is better for me though, I initially tried to make this bracket with the normal Evo 9 caliper and rotor in mind and it was looking a bit too tight. A full extra inch in diameter would definitely give me the clearance I'd need, now I just have to worry about backspacing and hub height on the 2 piece X rotor vs. the 9 rotor.

I'm also trying to gather data on the 350/370Z rotors as many guys have used them in other Brembo swaps. The hub spacing is the same, but I'm not sure on total diameter, width, and hat height.



Basically I want the caliper to stand straight up and down with the ends pretty much at 11 and 7 on the clock. I don't mind when the current bracket is used to clock the ends into the 2g knuckle leaving them at pretty much a 1 and 9 angle since the rear calipers are almost identical. Again though, that requires a lot of grinding to the knuckle itself AND still requires grinding into the caliper to clear the bracket.

I really think that using the X rotor with the 9 caliper will work with this design. As you mentioned, the mounting bolt was changed to an M14 on the X caliper which may have been done to address the extra leverage on it, but I'm sure using the stock M12 from the 9 would be fine still, its only moving outboard about 1/2" from it's original location.

Well tsiawd666 who has replied here aka john has evo X calipers and discs,n

Thanks for the correction, I have been working with metric measurements in CATIA and spaced out what the stock measurement was in inches! That is better for me though, I initially tried to make this bracket with the normal Evo 9 caliper and rotor in mind and it was looking a bit too tight. A full extra inch in diameter would definitely give me the clearance I'd need, now I just have to worry about backspacing and hub height on the 2 piece X rotor vs. the 9 rotor.

I'm also trying to gather data on the 350/370Z rotors as many guys have used them in other Brembo swaps. The hub spacing is the same, but I'm not sure on total diameter, width, and hat height.



Basically I want the caliper to stand straight up and down with the ends pretty much at 11 and 7 on the clock. I don't mind when the current bracket is used to clock the ends into the 2g knuckle leaving them at pretty much a 1 and 9 angle since the rear calipers are almost identical. Again though, that requires a lot of grinding to the knuckle itself AND still requires grinding into the caliper to clear the bracket.

I really think that using the X rotor with the 9 caliper will work with this design. As you mentioned, the mounting bolt was changed to an M14 on the X caliper which may have been done to address the extra leverage on it, but I'm sure using the stock M12 from the 9 would be fine still, its only moving outboard about 1/2" from it's original location.

Adaptor is at 9-1! The most its at is maybe 6-10 or turning the adaptor around will be 11-7 give or take around that area, you dont want them that high up to 9-1 as thats not a good angle, the oem on the knuckles when they are bolt on almost make it very central and sit very clost to 7-11 which is smack bang central!

Now im not a designer or engineer on how they position these but there must be a site iline that tells you the best place for calipers to sit or the ideal place!

The oem rotor on a evo X is massive but its also 2 piece so the weight is not an issue as your getting better cooling. Or buy aftermarket and lower the weight abit!

Im pretty sure it can be done but choosing your angle on the adaptor would be best central like what oem would be.

Good luck with this project and hope you keep up updated on it

 

[Black95TSIawd]

The oem rotor on a evo X is massive but its also 2 piece so the weight is not an issue as your getting better cooling. Or buy aftermarket and lower the weight abit!

The OEM rotor is only two piece on the MR model. I can confirm this as my Evo X GSR has 1 piece rotors. Replacement MR rotors are only available through the dealer. You would HAVE to go with aftermarket two piece rotors in order to save some dollars over the long run as I'm sure satan is charging an arm and a leg for their two piece rotors.

X GSR 1 piece rotor - 24lbs.
X MR 2 piece rotor - 20.5lbs.
X Girodisc 2 piece rotor - 19.4lbs.
Evo 9 12.6" 1 piece rotor - 22lbs.
Girodisc 9 2 piece rotor - 18.2lbs.

My TCE kit came with 13.1 inch rotors and they weigh an astonishing 13.5lbs. This was one of the main reasons why I went with the TCE kit. My original plan was to go with the Evo setup, but by the time I buy 2 piece rotors, rebuild the calipers to new and powdercoat, the cost was nearly the same as my TCE kit and I was able to save boat loads of weight.

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

The OEM rotor is only two piece on the MR model. I can confirm this as my Evo X GSR has 1 piece rotors. Replacement MR rotors are only available through the dealer. You would HAVE to go with aftermarket two piece rotors in order to save some dollars over the long run as I'm sure satan is charging an arm and a leg for their two piece rotors.

X GSR 1 piece rotor - 24lbs.
X MR 2 piece rotor - 20.5lbs.
X Girodisc 2 piece rotor - 19.4lbs.
Evo 9 12.6" 1 piece rotor - 22lbs.
Girodisc 9 2 piece rotor - 18.2lbs.

My TCE kit came with 13.1 inch rotors and they weigh an astonishing 13.5lbs. This was one of the main reasons why I went with the TCE kit. My original plan was to go with the Evo setup, but by the time I buy 2 piece rotors, rebuild the calipers to new and powdercoat, the cost was nearly the same as my TCE kit and I was able to save boat loads of weight.

Im so sorry thats my bad, i always thought they all came with 2 piece apart from the lowest SE model! It may be different here i the UK but i would have to check that out, im sorry and didnt mean to say or give bad info out!!!

The weigh saving is amazingly good though my 2 peice rotors weigh in around 17.63LB or about 8kg which is a great saving, this combined with the ligher then oem stock single piston caliper these brembos make for a good weight saving and a good way to go BUT you are right on the cost! To do it correctly it costs but i dont think the initial cost is massive for what you get since its both front and rear and call that can be done for about $1500 or less but its the upgrades that costs .

TCE are great for the price and really good products indeed shame it costs so much just for the fronts only and another 600-1k depending how the rears are done.

 

[ceedawg]

Evo X caliper and bracket would be HUGE on a DSM. That's good. What's not so good is the addition of all that weight. New stock evo X rotors weigh over 24 pounds each. That's a lot and the main reason why I went with a TCE kit.

EDIT: However, all that weight is also a good heat sink.

This is also the reason why I sold my front Evo 9 calipers and just kept my Baer brakes which were lighter and bigger than stock. I only kept the rear evo 9 calipers. Evo 9 front brembos are heavy as he'll so it is alot of unnecessary weight!!

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

The front evo 9 calipers only weigh 8LB! Compared to the oem which is 12LB thats a pretty decent saving in my eyes, it may be slightly less on the evo calipers but i weighed mine with SS pistons in so its a bit more weight then the aluminum pistons. If you combine them woth the right discs you can have a bery light weight braking system and still retain the size of 320mm so going on weight saving for a few LB's is not really worth it if your loosing surface area, i certainly would not do it this way for a few LB's .

 

[ceedawg]

The front evo 9 calipers only weigh 8LB! Compared to the oem which is 12LB thats a pretty decent saving in my eyes, it may be slightly less on the evo calipers but i weighed mine with SS pistons in so its a bit more weight then the aluminum pistons. If you combine them woth the right discs you can have a bery light weight braking system and still retain the size of 320mm so going on weight saving for a few LB's is not really worth it if your loosing surface area, i certainly would not do it this way for a few LB's .

Well in my case the two piece 13" Eradispeed Baer rotors I have are bigger and lighter than the Evo rotors as well as the Baer floating calipers vs the Evo brembo's so it made a lot of sense to me!

 

[Yomero]

I also have the two piece Baer eradispeed and I think are around 14 pounds each, vr4 calipers which are considerable lighter than evo brembos and I made my own bracket from aluminum instead of the heavy steel that came from rtm. I'm really satisfied and in my opinion was the best choice regarding price, performance and weight savings.

 

[ceedawg]

I figure if these Baer brakes are good enough as factory stuff on the Corvette C5 then they should be good enough for my DSM with great pads and lighter two piece rotors hence my reason for selling the heavy bling bling Brembo setup. My buddy does plenty if track days I his C5 corvette with these calipers and says he lies them. Added that a good set of pads are a must regardless of the caliper you have on

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

14 pounds thats pretty light for the size, my evo rotors are 17.5 pounds which is light still considering its not 1 peice and stock is alot heavier that that still.

from what i read the VR4 calipers are not much different in weight, however the pistons are smaller is OD then the evos and surface area is also smaller so overall I think for the extra weight saving Im still sticking with brembos to be the slightly better caliper then the VR4! but not the baer as I dont know anything about them so I cannot comment there.

as I said the evo brembos only weight in at 8LB now for the size of them thats still light to me.

how big are these baer calipers piston wise and surface area?

 

[ceedawg]

Not sure Of the piston size on the Baer calipers Bobby but they are significantly lighter than the Brembo's and these are factory calipers on a C5 corvette. If I remember right Ludichris mentioned how these factory Brembo's are not the same as the more top of the line Brembo's that cost a lot more coin. Not my words but I will find the quote.
Wilwood's are ok.The Wilwood 6 piston calipers are way thinner and smaller than my Stoptechs and I don't think match the overall build or capability of Stoptechs for road racing so I went with the 4 piston Stoptechs which are massive and still lighter than the Brembo calipers and also have bigger 2 piece rotors which are actually the same size , just as light and thicker than my Eradispeed 2 piece rotors. The piston diameter on one set of the Stoptechs pistons is a tad smaller than the Evo brembo Pistons. Tsiawd666 had the same Stoptechs on his car before. Also I consider the dsm is lighter than an Evo so I feel I am ahead of the game.

 

[ceedawg]

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