Coupe Brembo Retrofit

[84FordMan]

I'm liking your pioneering. Question: do you think the sedan calipers being fatter might mean they bite stronger? I'm curious because I wanted to do this mod but the 4.6 weighs a good deal more and I was wondering if the Brembos would hold up. In the coupe forums you seemed to favor the sedan calipers a bit over the Brembos.

In terms of feel/stopping power I could not tell a difference between the Sedans and the Brembos. However my comparison was of my Sedan calipers and Hawk HPS pads and the Brembos with their OEM pads, which have "chopped" pads, about a 1/4" on both sides of the material completely missing versus aftermarket pads. This meant less surface area, as well as being an OEM Hyundai pad tailored more to comfort than performance.

Also, a side note, Canada and non-US base model coupes started getting Sedan/Equus calipers on the front around 12/13 model year and still had Brembos for premium trim.

 

[66nexus]

In terms of feel/stopping power I could not tell a difference between the Sedans and the Brembos. However my comparison was of my Sedan calipers and Hawk HPS pads and the Brembos with their OEM pads, which have "chopped" pads, about a 1/4" on both sides of the material completely missing versus aftermarket pads. This meant less surface area, as well as being an OEM Hyundai pad tailored more to comfort than performance.

Also, a side note, Canada and non-US base model coupes started getting Sedan/Equus calipers on the front around 12/13 model year and still had Brembos for premium trim.

Oh okay I hadn't considered that, that puts it nicely into perspective. I didn't realize Hyundai would do that to otherwise performance-oriented pads. I appreciate the clarity

 

[dmitriylm]

Oh okay I hadn't considered that, that puts it nicely into perspective. I didn't realize Hyundai would do that to otherwise performance-oriented pads. I appreciate the clarity

Yeah, my 2011 RSPEC Coupe came the same way, pads cut top and bottom to reduce surface area and minimize noise. One of the first things a lot of people do is get aftermarket pads not that the stock Brembo setup was a slouch.

 

[84FordMan]

Since it has been asked of me, what to expect from switching to Brembos from the factory setup, I want to explain why you want to do it and what you will gain from it.

First let's talk about pad material, for any vehicle, you have non-asbestos organic, semi-metallic and ceramic friction materials. For the Sedan (And most vehicles since the mid-to-late 1990s [Save for the Euros]) the OE pads are ceramic. You may have heard one of us parts guy use the sales tactic, "Ceramic pads are low dusting and easier on the rotors". Are they low dusting? Not really, a lot that claim "low" or "no dusting" cheat by playing with the resin so the dust that is produced is not the black dust you are used to. Akebono Euro Ceramics are the king of this, they dust white.

Now, that last part of the sales tactic, "easier on the rotors", is a half-truth. They don't wear the rotor down as fast, but the rate difference between a semi-met and a ceramic can almost not be perceived. They do this by having a lower coefficient of friction (Or "bite"). What ceramics do that is truly an issue is they generate A LOT OF HEAT. With more heat, you need a larger contact patch for the pad face and you need the ability to dissipate more heat (Larger rotor diameter).

If you want a good example:

1999 Chevy C1500 extended cab
Curb weight - 4,145 lbs
Pad material - Semi-metallic
Pad length - 147mm
Rotor diameter - 11.6"

1999 Chevy Silverado 1500 extended cab
Curb weight - 4,023 lbs
Pad material - Ceramic
Pad length - 177mm
Rotor diameter - 12.0"

Truck weighs less yet needs larger pads and larger rotors to be comparable in stopping distances to the outgoing model.

So why would manufacturers put ceramics on if semi-mets stop better with less material? Damn hippies. There are a number of banned substances you cannot use in brake pad material, more than just asbestos. Now joining that list is copper, which has been widely used and is now required to be completely gone out of all formulas by 2025.

So back to the Sedan and Brembos, with four pistons on all corners, semi-metallic pads, larger diameter rotors, you will experience a better "bite", less heat and overall much better/consistent/confident braking.

 

[xiaphin]

Due to the width of the calipers compared to stock I will not be doing this conversion. The extra space required cuts down on the amount of lip possible, when picking a wheel setup. Rather have the biggest lips possible with stock brakes, than smaller lips with big brakes. Look forward to seeing how these look installed though. Something tells me this will be a popular swap if it is a relatively easy swap.

 

[Tailwalker]

Very nice write up; thanks for posting. I am still on the ledge myself, but cannot wait to see these in April.

 

[84FordMan]

Due to the width of the calipers compared to stock I will not be doing this conversion. The extra space required cuts down on the amount of lip possible, when picking a wheel setup.

I have a Percy ' s Wheelrite tool in my garage that I have never used (by the time I got to purchasing wheels, I got a different car). It is supposed to measure wheel diameter, offset/bback spacing, and tire width/pprofile. I will try to remember to use it when I put the Brembos on to see what will clear them.

 

[xiaphin]

I have a Percy ' s Wheelrite tool in my garage that I have never used (by the time I got to purchasing wheels, I got a different car). It is supposed to measure wheel diameter, offset/bback spacing, and tire width/pprofile. I will try to remember to use it when I put the Brembos on to see what will clear them.

This will be beneficial for those who want to run these but also upgrade their wheels.

 

[Tailwalker]

It'll take some doing, but I think these will work even running the offsets I am. Need to measure though.

Edit - it will take a 12mm spacer to accommodate these brakes on a lo-disk 9" wheel with +21 offset. Just in case anyone was wondering.

12mm will place the bead flush with the fender with the above caveats.

 

[chewbakarox]

84FordMan: Any progress on the Brembo install?

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[66nexus]

Yeah, my 2011 RSPEC Coupe came the same way, pads cut top and bottom to reduce surface area and minimize noise. One of the first things a lot of people do is get aftermarket pads not that the stock Brembo setup was a slouch.

I was hesitant until you guys cleared this up

I have a Percy ' s Wheelrite tool in my garage that I have never used (by the time I got to purchasing wheels, I got a different car). It is supposed to measure wheel diameter, offset/bback spacing, and tire width/pprofile. I will try to remember to use it when I put the Brembos on to see what will clear them.

What stainless steel lines do you think would fit for this upgrade? Or is there even a difference in brakes lines for the sedan and coupe (like length)?

 

[84FordMan]

What stainless steel lines do you think would fit for this upgrade? Or is there even a difference in brakes lines for the sedan and coupe (like length)?

Will SS lines be required in the retrofit? No.

The front lines don't have a retaining hook, more like a little stub coming out of the banjo fitting. The back side of the Brembos are smooth. So front factory lines will go on just fine.

The rear lines do have a retaining hook and the Brembos do have a hole for the hook to fit and when I checked with a replacement factory line, it does line up with the banjo bolt as well. Whether it binds the line up or not, I won't find out until I put them on, and if it does, the hook can be sawed off without compromising the integrity of the brake line (I had to do this when I put the Sedan calipers on my Coupe).

If you do want SS lines, I believe Goodridge makes a set for the Sedan.

As for current progress, when the right front caliper arrived, it turned out to be a single piston caliper, had to send it back. A few others I found were in a front end impact, which makes me question buying it sight unseen. I will have another one soon enough. I may go ahead and put on the rears since I have them.

 

[66nexus]

Will SS lines be required in the retrofit? No.

The front lines don't have a retaining hook, more like a little stub coming out of the banjo fitting. The back side of the Brembos are smooth. So front factory lines will go on just fine.

The rear lines do have a retaining hook and the Brembos do have a hole for the hook to fit and when I checked with a replacement factory line, it does line up with the banjo bolt as well. Whether it binds the line up or not, I won't find out until I put them on, and if it does, the hook can be sawed off without compromising the integrity of the brake line (I had to do this when I put the Sedan calipers on my Coupe).

If you do want SS lines, I believe Goodridge makes a set for the Sedan.

As for current progress, when the right front caliper arrived, it turned out to be a single piston caliper, had to send it back. A few others I found were in a front end impact, which makes me question buying it sight unseen. I will have another one soon enough. I may go ahead and put on the rears since I have them.

So do you think SS lines wouldn't be necessary? I think it would complement the Brembos nicely but I've never had either so I wouldn't know.

But if I were to get SS lines I'm not sure if it should be the sedan ones or the coupe ones. I'm leaning sedan based on your above post.

And thanks for the update

 

[84FordMan]

So do you think SS lines wouldn't be necessary? I think it would complement the Brembos nicely but I've never had either so I wouldn't know.

But if I were to get SS lines I'm not sure if it should be the sedan ones or the coupe ones. I'm leaning sedan based on your above post.

And thanks for the update

If you have the money to burn, sure. For any platform there is always the debate of the benefit of SS lines. Some claim a stiffer brake pedal.

At this second, I would say buy the Sedan ones if you are going to. However, I have not yet checked the lengths and fittings of the Sedan OE lines and Coupe OE lines, I can check this during the coming week and report back.

 

[2011 Genesis 4.6]

I like the SS lines, the reason for them is when you put pressure to the brake system the rubber allow minimal expansion outward while the ss lines do not so all the pressure is directed toward the brake caliper and its pistons.

I know someone that autocross's (not a genesis sedan) that put hundreds of zipties on his brake lines one right next to the other and zipped them tight, that would effectively do the same thing as the SS lines.

 

[66nexus]

If you have the money to burn, sure. For any platform there is always the debate of the benefit of SS lines. Some claim a stiffer brake pedal.

At this second, I would say buy the Sedan ones if you are going to. However, I have not yet checked the lengths and fittings of the Sedan OE lines and Coupe OE lines, I can check this during the coming week and report back.

I saw the 'hook' thing you were talking about (furthered my wonder if I should get the coupe lines). But I'll refer to your findings (and definitely appreciate the info)

I like the SS lines, the reason for them is when you put pressure to the brake system the rubber allow minimal expansion outward while the ss lines do not so all the pressure is directed toward the brake caliper and its pistons.

Yeah I've always wanted a set but I've never had them on any vehicle ever.

 

[84FordMan]

Alright the Sedan lines and Coupe lines have the same fittings and turns, but the Sedan lines are on average 1" linger than the Coupe on all four corners.

 

[2011 Genesis 4.6]

Alright the Sedan lines and Coupe lines have the same fittings and turns, but the Sedan lines are on average 1" linger than the Coupe on all four corners.

Sounds like just to account for more suspension travel, any coil overs will negate the need for longer lines, that could make them cheaper.

 

[84FordMan]

Sounds like just to account for more suspension travel, any coil overs will negate the need for longer lines, that could make them cheaper.

In fact, RockAuto sells the Centric/Stoptech SS lines for the Coupe for around $40 a pair.

 

[xiaphin]

Got my windows tinted today in Raleigh and the installer knew if a guy also in Raleigh who has installed the coupe Brembos on his R-Spec sedan. I have no picture proof but he assured me it was possible. They are both members of GenSport Carolinas on Facebook.