Gktech Bracket For Gts-T Caliper To Gtr Rotor - Reliable For Track Work?

[dan.1337]

Loooking for anyone who has purchased the 324mm brake caliper spacer (http://www.gktech.com/index.php/r33-gts-t-caliper-bracket-to-suit-324mm-r33-gtr-rotor-628.html) and has experience with using it on track.

Will it be reliable enough for track/circuit work over sustained periods? I'm just concerned that over a prolonged heat period with multiple heavy stops the bracket may warp and damage other components.

Edited October 22, 2013 by dan.1337

[PN-Mad]

I run the 280mm to 324mm on my track car and it's doing just fine after 3 track days.

There shouldn't be excessive heat on the component, nothing like a brake disc itself.

IMO it is of high quality with the proper fittings. However it always pays to double check everything is tight before heading out.

[WARLORD]

ive just orded mine did you get them and fit them yet.

[dan.1337]

I just bought a set and hopefully will get them in time to test them out this weekend on a back to back track day

[hardsteppa]

bracket is good quality, thick aluminium with steel thread inserts. For me, and has been confirmed by a few others, they weren't 'bolt-on', there's a reasonable amount of grinding and shaping the inside of the caliper to allow it to fit over the 324mm disc and still reach the mounting holes on the brackets. I was sceptical on doing this but if you have a look at a photo of the caliper pulled into 2 halves, you don't come anywhere near the fluid tube that runs through the middle, so not that much of a big deal, but a bit to be grinded out.

Short hard line running off caliper also doesn't match to mounting bracket either of course with the caliper moved down/out. I wasn't keen on leaving the brittle hard line unsupported so got their brake lines as well that mount straight into the caliper.

Only done on weekend so still in the bedding in stage but difference is immediately noticeable, as soon as you start to touch the brake pedal.

Hope that helps.

[WARLORD]

any pics of what you grinding you did

[hardsteppa]

nah I don't sorry mate...you should probably ask GK Tech, the company who makes them, how much needs to be ground off, and why they don't give any information, guidelines, photos, anything at all, on the "install" tab on their website, and why they tell you they're a straight bolt-on fitment...which they know is bullshit.

[hardsteppa]

^^though, just to reiterate, they're a high quality adapter and very good price, worthwhile upgrade.

[r31slpr]

nah I don't sorry mate...you should probably ask GK Tech, the company who makes them, how much needs to be ground off, and why they don't give any information, guidelines, photos, anything at all, on the "install" tab on their website, and why they tell you they're a straight bolt-on fitment...which they know is bullshit.

Faq's taken from the gktech website directly below the product description

How hard are these to install?

The brackets are very easy to install. Simply bolt them to the knuckle and you're on your way. To install the larger rotors you need to trim the dust cover and depending on your calipers, you'll need to shave the bit that hits on the rotor, up to around 2mm's. You'll see which bit needs to shave based on what the rotor touches. It's a very self explanatory install and shouldn't take longer than 45 minutes.

[hardsteppa]

current affairs there chief...you might note that section has just been revised with that information.

[r31slpr]

Yeah man just making a note of it, because gktech are usually pretty quick to take on customer suggestions and resolve complaints.

I have no idea when it was updated

[dan.1337]

Having a bit of trouble trying to figure out what goes where. Did the brackets come with instructions? If so, could someone please scan and post them up? I don't have any because I bought them second hand.

I've taken a couple of photos from the drivers side. Just want to check if the bit of caliper circled in yellow is the bit I'm supposed to shave to get the bracket to fit. GKTech's instructions say " shave the bit that hits on the rotor, up to around 2mm's"...and I know that this bit circled in yellow will never go near the rotor.

Or do I have it all wrong?

Second pic is of the way i think the bracket is supposed to be mounted (drivers side).

Appreciate any assistance.

[hardsteppa]

Yeah thats not right mate, will email u some details tomorrow

[dan.1337]

Yeah thats not right mate, will email u some details tomorrow

Thanks for the pics of your install. I'll put up more over the next few days as I get mine on.

Unfortunately the grinding away of the caliper is proving to be a right PITA and I'm chewing through Dremel grinding wheels doing it. Managed to get through half a caliper before needing to replace the grinding wheel, so it'll be at least 4 wheels to get them all done.

The other way which might work is to use a metal file, but that would be difficult to get into some of the bends.

With the dust cover, I was able to just bend the top edge toward the car by about 1-2cm all the way around by hand so it cleared the rotor and I'd keep the dust guard.

Not really sure why the bracket wasn't designed with the caliper holes just 2mm further out in the first place?

[hardsteppa]

Not really sure why the bracket wasn't designed with the caliper holes just 2mm further out in the first place?

haha. I had a few emails back and forth with them about this....

To grind mine, i took the calipers off, did the main part pushing them up against a bench grinder to take out the bulk of it, then used a carbide burr to get the harder to reach bits, then a metal file to smooth it out. Not sure about dremel grinding wheels but one of these works a treat

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Chieftain-Carbide-Burr-Double-Cut-SL-2-/151175368194?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item2332c10e02

these rip the shit out of anything, don't need much pressure on the aluminum caliper, just skim across the surface to get nice n even.

Why keep the dust shields btw? they just get in the way and trap heat IMO, but up to you of course..

[dan.1337]

While installing the bracket I've encountered a problem. I've been grinding away (thanks hardsteppa for the tip about the carbide burr, I found one in my Dremel kit and it helped a lot), but if you see the yellow circle second picture I've attached, I've actually hit the hole circled in blue in the third picture.

I've probably only cut away about 1mm, but that's all the meat there is before you hit the hole. What's worse is that the caliper STILL doesn't clear the rotor as the rotor continues to scrape slightly in places.

So, before I can even try it on track, I can safely say it's no good for track work as the rotor will expand with heat and eventually grind up against the caliper. I can't cut away any more caliper or I'll just be cutting into the tunnel where the bolt holds the caliper together.

All GKTech needed to do was put the hole 3mm out and it would have been perfect. Now I'm down about 3-4 hours of grinding time, whatever the bracket and grinding tools cost, and have a stuffed caliper.

If I had my time again, I would have wasted my money on something else.

Edited November 26, 2013 by dan.1337

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

now that's really fuarked...

Time to hit up: www.accc.gov.au/‎

After all, they are an Australian Store and it was false advertising.

[BOX]

That's a BIG f'up. you can't be playing around with brakes. if it fails & a customer is to die they will be liable.

Had a similar issue with their eccentric throttle wheel. had to grind this & that so i threw it in the bin...

[hardsteppa]

hey Dan,

you're right, it is a fair bit of stuffing around grinding/test fitting, grinding more, took me a few hours to get done too. When I had taken out a fair bit and it looked like fitting, i spraypainted over the grinded area and then ran it again, so could see where the disc was actually still rubbing, as otherwise it's very hard to see on what spot it's still hitting and otherwise will just end up grinding away at sections that don't need it.

Even after fitting, under heavy braking the slight amount of flex would see the caliper push onto the disc again and give a grinding sound, so another slight trim was needed but no trouble since then.

Sucks about hitting the bolt tube but shouldn't really matter from a function point of view i would think? I didn't hit mine but looking at the photo, would say it would only be hair-thickness of metal left before breaking through.

[GTSBoy]

This is to clear the inside of the caliper against the edge of the rotor, yes? If so, you are all mentally f**ked. You should put the rotor in a lathe and remove a few mm from the outside of that.