CarlB Posted April 15 Share Posted April 15 I just installed and did a track day with the Caterham AP rear brake kit. I have the AP front brakes. I have a manual proportioning valve installed and I had it set to the maximum setting to reduce the rear line pressure. I do not consider myself a good driver and would like the opinion of someone who uses the AP rear brakes. I thought I still had more rear brake than I wanted. I was getting some very minor rear lock up on turn in. A good driver drove the car and did not complain or mention it. I am not sure if it is my driving or brake pads. The fronts are Performance friction 01 compound and the rears are Pagid RS14. I was not happy with the performance friction pads before. I generally like a pad with a lot of initial bite, and I have no comparison on the Pagid pad. What are other people using for pads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnifeySpoony Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Subbing for info as I've been considering this upgrade for a while. Where did you put the proportioning valve? I'd be interesting in seeing/hearing more about the install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf4018 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Just to muddy the waters the engine braking can be quite significant on the rears, especially if you aggressively downshift to high revs on corner entry. If you don't heel/toe/rev match on the downshifts it can break the rear tires free briefly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlB Posted April 16 Author Share Posted April 16 2 hours ago, sf4018 said: Just to muddy the waters the engine braking can be quite significant on the rears, especially if you aggressively downshift to high revs on corner entry. If you don't heel/toe/rev match on the downshifts it can break the rear tires free briefly. Thank you - I hadn't considered that, and while I might not remember exactly what I was doing, you are probably correct. I have seen your track videos, and you clearly know what you are doing. What pads do you use? My proportioning valve is located on the side of the pedal box cover. See the picture below. I did not want it in the drivers compartment because I didn't want to be tempted to play with it. The temptation to add more rear brake to get the car to turn into the corner might lead to a big mistake. I was looking around at options for parking brakes and found a mechanical valve sold by Speedway Motors. I do not think I would rely on it without putting the car in gear, but it was simple. To set the brake you step on the brake pedal and push the valve closed. To release you step on the brake pedal harder than you did to set the brake. I have a warning for you that the flexible hose that runs to the De Dion tube does not have a regular M10 1.0 thread fitting. You do not have to replace what is on the car. I put the brake valve where the normal emergency brake handle goes, and you can't put a new hard brake line in without removing all the rear suspension. I used a stainless braided line and got a new manifold for the split to the two calipers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 THIS? Could be an anti-theft device. I think most thieves won't try to drive away, but roll onto a trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffecaster Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 4 hours ago, IamScotticus said: THIS? Could be an anti-theft device. I think most thieves won't try to drive away, but roll onto a trailer. How does that work? Depress the brakes, push the button, then the pressure stays on the rear lines? Press the button again and it releases the pressure to drive as normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 1 hour ago, giraffecaster said: How does that work? Depress the brakes, push the button, then the pressure stays on the rear lines? Yes, then the pressure is released by a firm press on the brake pedal. I actually like this as opposed to a release on the knob as I would forget to release it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf4018 Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 On 4/16/2024 at 3:28 PM, CarlB said: What pads do you use? I still have the handbrake setup with the smaller rear pads so not a comparison for your system, but AP pads are fine on it, as they all have been. It's just wear rate I'm fighting, they only last 3-4 weekends, probably due to overheating. You won't have that problem. Could be worth trying a lower friction pad as well to see if that works better for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlB Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 3 hours ago, sf4018 said: I still have the handbrake setup with the smaller rear pads so not a comparison for your system, but AP pads are fine on it, as they all have been. It's just wear rate I'm fighting, they only last 3-4 weekends, probably due to overheating. You won't have that problem. Could be worth trying a lower friction pad as well to see if that works better for you. Thank you - That is what I have been thinking about. I have had good luck with Pittsfield giving me good advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlB Posted April 20 Author Share Posted April 20 I need to read before pushing send. The brake pad company is Portifield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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