Tom's 40mm rear caliper upgrade

[icecoldbluet]

Does Tom still sell 40mm rear calipers upgrade for Gen 1? Where can I get them? Seems like his website is no longer available.

 

[Steve-Indy]

As I recall, when Tom stopped supplying them, a gentleman in Canada started making them...at least for a time. Since I am not sure where this stands now, I suggest that you text me at 317-402-9013 and I will send the contact info for that person in Ontario.

 

[FlashFyre]

Rick still does in Canada. His email is floating around somewhere.

 

[maverickagm]

[email protected]

I bought a set and have had them on for about a month. Coincidentally, I just sent my cores back today.

 

[maverickagm]

Side note:

It's a good time to replace brakes lines as well.

Part numbers:
StopTech 950.63504 - SS Brake Line Kit - Rear
StopTech 950.63006 - SS Brake Line Kit - Front

tdot.ca did try to cancel my order saying they were discontinued. I called Centic (parent company of StopTech) and they confirmed they were not. They just don't stock them. It took months to get my brake line order. Your mileage may vary....

 

[Steve-Indy]

I sent this thread to the 40 mm producer...who can speak for himself.

 

[white out]

Side note:

It's a good time to replace brakes lines as well.

Part numbers:
StopTech 950.63504 - SS Brake Line Kit - Rear
StopTech 950.63006 - SS Brake Line Kit - Front

tdot.ca did try to cancel my order saying they were discontinued. I called Centic (parent company of StopTech) and they confirmed they were not. They just don't stock them. It took months to get my brake line order. Your mileage may vary....

These were discontinued on wholesale product lines and unavailable for around a year - I started making brake lines to fill the void - and recently they have been brought back in limited quantities, so shops not paying close attention will likely not have them available.

 

[4bangerviperjr]

Id be interested in picking up a set of 40mm rear calipers as well if this post gets an update

 

[40mm]

All the 40mm info posted here is correct.

I am still doing Tom’s 40mm conversion!
Planning to keep them going as well.

Email is [email protected]

I just replied to you Tony.
I got your cores yesterday Jordan-they’re great and email sent.
Thanks for the heads up about this thread Steve!

Cheers all.
Rick

 

[GTS Dean]

I did Tom's 40mm kit 20+ years ago. I pulled the prop valve spring and still run 13" rotors all around. It stops like mad with great balance and the rear discs turn blue at the track because THEY WORK!

 

[GTSnake]

The conversion requires grinding off the rear tabs from the mounting brackets right? I think that's the only hesitancy I had doing this.

 

[FlashFyre]

The conversion requires grinding off the rear tabs from the mounting brackets right? I think that's the only hesitancy I had doing this.

No. Its the exact same rear caliper. Only real difference is that it is painted black vice the normal greyish colour.

 

[GTSnake]

No. Its the exact same rear caliper. Only real difference is that it is painted black vice the normal greyish colour.

I thought you needed to grind off that tab from the mounting bracket to accommodate the parking brake?

 

[FlashFyre]

I thought you needed to grind off that tab from the mounting bracket to accommodate the parking brake?

No. Its the exact same caliper except the piston is 40mm vice the 36mm stock piston. Parking brake is the exact same in the caliper. Mounts up exactly the same.

I think you are confusing yourself with a Gen3/4 brake upgrade on a gen 2. The rear knuckle ears had to be chopped off to accommodate the bracket to fit the caliper.

 

[GTSnake]

No. Its the exact same caliper except the piston is 40mm vice the 36mm stock piston. Parking brake is the exact same in the caliper. Mounts up exactly the same.

I think you are confusing yourself with a Gen3/4 brake upgrade on a gen 2. The rear knuckle ears had to be chopped off to accommodate the bracket to fit the caliper.

I guess I'm confusing the upgrade for Gen I versus Gen II.

 

[GTS Dean]

No. Gen 1 and Gen 2 thru 2000 all use exactly the same Brembo single piston floating caliper. 01-02 ABS models were very slightly different - pads were different shape.

 

[Goggles Pizano]

I thought you needed to grind off that tab from the mounting bracket to accommodate the parking brake?

You take the stock rear single piston caliper and disassemble it. Then you bore the caliper from 36mm to 40mm. Put in a new 40mm piston. All you are doing is modifying the internals.

 

[GTSnake]

Hmmm sounds like something I may be interested in. If you create more pressure on the brake pad doesn't wear it down faster? Although it may be a good thing since the brake bias is so front heavy it may even it out.

 

[Steve-Indy]

As I recall, Tom's original 40mm kits used a sleeve on the 36mm piston to bring it up to 40mm.

For those interested, Tom had full explanations of both form and function of his modification on this site...along with some stopping data comparisons.

Search "40mm" posts by " Tom F&L, GoR".

 

[Goggles Pizano]

There is a lotus wiki on this too.

 

[AviP]

I've used Rick's 40mm upgrade and can certify that the braking distance definitely reduces. The front dive and locking up diminishes greatly and the car seems to almost feel like it has ABS under most common hard braking conditions. The rear never feels like it will swap ends with the front. Severe braking will definitely have lock up at the front but that is to be expected without ABS.

Installation is a breeze and does not require any modifications.

 

[GTS Dean]

Fresh off the track at COTA!