Introduction to HyundaiAftermarket.com
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Puerto Rico
Vehicle: 2001 Hyundai Accent (Brio GL)
An LC, you say? Good, now I can go back through all the posts in the various forums and see what applies.
I will respond to your questions in order.
I am looking into converting the rear brakes beacause of the manner in which people drive in Puerto Rico: 0-as fast as they can go from stoplight to stoplight, then stomping on the brakes at the last moment. This also affects highway driving: speeding along a lane and changing into another just shy of the vehicle in front, regardless of whether or not the other lane is already occupied. I've driven in many different countries: Afghanistan, Germany, Greece, Korea, among others (all courtesy of the US Army) and I must say -- Puerto Rico is second only to Afghanistan and Korea (tied) for worst drivers. Great people, but lousy drivers.
I am looking to improve braking performance over better looks as the new wheels I have purchased hide the brakes completely. I do not plan on running any autocross or rallying, I simply wish to be able to stop in shorter distances.
I had not realized any changes might need to be made to the front brakes. In fact, since 2005 I only recall having seen one post (on a different Forum) that mentioned anything about front-to-rear brake balancing (might that be considered distribution?). If memory serves, that post was waved off because "the difference would be negligible" or something to that effect.
I would expect to perform most of the work myself, including the procurement of the necessary parts. I live (Ha! Exist would be a more appropriate word.) on a fixed Veterans Administration income, so $1000 would take some time to save. On the other hand, there are quite a few automobile reclamation establishments (junkyards, but I try to be environmentally observant) on the Island.
As for the bracket, I have read that a bracket from a 1992-1995 Hyundai (E)Lantra J1, along with the bearing/disc/caliper from a 1996-1999 Hyundai (E)Lantra J1, fit as is. Please do not lynch me; I only repeat what I have read.
Anyway, has someone actually performed a drum to disc conversion successfully?
Sincerely,
Eric Torres
tron1
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(187sks @ Oct 6 2008, 01:04 PM) </div><div class='quotemain'>No problem at all! Your Accent is an LC.
Before I answer your brake question I want you to answer a couple of questions to help me help you better.
Why are you wanting to convert to rear disc brakes? Looks or better braking?
If for better braking performance what are you planning for the front brakes to keep a good braking distribution? (front brakes do 20% of a car's braking) If you change to disc brakes without upgrading the front brakes you'll lock up the rears early which is not very safe.
Would you rather do more work or pay more money? There is a bolt on rear brake conversion available from Atelier HP for around $1000. Aside from that you'll need to source rear discs, calipers, and have a custom bracket made. It's not that hard and if you got all the parts together I'm sure a shop wouldn't charge too much to make the bracket.</div>
I will respond to your questions in order.
I am looking into converting the rear brakes beacause of the manner in which people drive in Puerto Rico: 0-as fast as they can go from stoplight to stoplight, then stomping on the brakes at the last moment. This also affects highway driving: speeding along a lane and changing into another just shy of the vehicle in front, regardless of whether or not the other lane is already occupied. I've driven in many different countries: Afghanistan, Germany, Greece, Korea, among others (all courtesy of the US Army) and I must say -- Puerto Rico is second only to Afghanistan and Korea (tied) for worst drivers. Great people, but lousy drivers.
I am looking to improve braking performance over better looks as the new wheels I have purchased hide the brakes completely. I do not plan on running any autocross or rallying, I simply wish to be able to stop in shorter distances.
I had not realized any changes might need to be made to the front brakes. In fact, since 2005 I only recall having seen one post (on a different Forum) that mentioned anything about front-to-rear brake balancing (might that be considered distribution?). If memory serves, that post was waved off because "the difference would be negligible" or something to that effect.
I would expect to perform most of the work myself, including the procurement of the necessary parts. I live (Ha! Exist would be a more appropriate word.) on a fixed Veterans Administration income, so $1000 would take some time to save. On the other hand, there are quite a few automobile reclamation establishments (junkyards, but I try to be environmentally observant) on the Island.
As for the bracket, I have read that a bracket from a 1992-1995 Hyundai (E)Lantra J1, along with the bearing/disc/caliper from a 1996-1999 Hyundai (E)Lantra J1, fit as is. Please do not lynch me; I only repeat what I have read.
Anyway, has someone actually performed a drum to disc conversion successfully?
Sincerely,
Eric Torres
tron1
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(187sks @ Oct 6 2008, 01:04 PM) </div><div class='quotemain'>No problem at all! Your Accent is an LC.
Before I answer your brake question I want you to answer a couple of questions to help me help you better.
Why are you wanting to convert to rear disc brakes? Looks or better braking?
If for better braking performance what are you planning for the front brakes to keep a good braking distribution? (front brakes do 20% of a car's braking) If you change to disc brakes without upgrading the front brakes you'll lock up the rears early which is not very safe.
Would you rather do more work or pay more money? There is a bolt on rear brake conversion available from Atelier HP for around $1000. Aside from that you'll need to source rear discs, calipers, and have a custom bracket made. It's not that hard and if you got all the parts together I'm sure a shop wouldn't charge too much to make the bracket.</div>
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12,515
Likes: 2
From: Lacey, WA
Vehicle: Two Accents, Mini, Miata, Van, Outback, and a ZX-6
The combination of J1 Elantra brake parts may bolt on, but if they do I have never heard of it working that way. That doesn't mean it won't work though.
If you are looking for better braking I would highly suggest that you upgrade the front brakes before worrying about the rears. The front brakes do approximately 80% of your car's braking so it just makes more sense to spend your time and money there. In purely stock form my rear drum brakes lock up before my front brakes will under heavy braking if I'm not going perfectly straight. It's also easier to upgrade your front brakes.
Regarding distribution, if the difference is negligible that would by default mean that the increase in braking capability was also negligible. You are free to do whatever you see fit obviously, these are only my opinions.
In reality good upgraded front brake pads will probably give you almost all of the emergency stopping power that you would have with huge disc brakes at all 4 corners. The main benefit of upgrading your brakes is to prevent overheating during repeated heavy braking. With upgraded pads and drilled/slotted rotors on my stock brakes I have emergency stopped from 125mph before without brake fade.
If you are looking for better braking I would highly suggest that you upgrade the front brakes before worrying about the rears. The front brakes do approximately 80% of your car's braking so it just makes more sense to spend your time and money there. In purely stock form my rear drum brakes lock up before my front brakes will under heavy braking if I'm not going perfectly straight. It's also easier to upgrade your front brakes.
Regarding distribution, if the difference is negligible that would by default mean that the increase in braking capability was also negligible. You are free to do whatever you see fit obviously, these are only my opinions.
In reality good upgraded front brake pads will probably give you almost all of the emergency stopping power that you would have with huge disc brakes at all 4 corners. The main benefit of upgrading your brakes is to prevent overheating during repeated heavy braking. With upgraded pads and drilled/slotted rotors on my stock brakes I have emergency stopped from 125mph before without brake fade.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Puerto Rico
Vehicle: 2001 Hyundai Accent (Brio GL)
To be quite honest, my highest priority is stopping power. I was under the impression that disc brakes were better technology (read more efficient) than drum brakes, which prompted me to look into the conversion.
However, when all is said and done, if simply improving the stock set-up with the best replacement parts I can obtain would give me the type of braking for which I am looking, then it would be ludicrous to invest the time, energy, and expense involved in making the conversion.
Thank you, 187sks. You've given me food for thought.
Sincerely,
Eric Torres
tron1
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(187sks @ Oct 7 2008, 10:53 PM) </div><div class='quotemain'>The combination of J1 Elantra brake parts may bolt on, but if they do I have never heard of it working that way. That doesn't mean it won't work though.
If you are looking for better braking I would highly suggest that you upgrade the front brakes before worrying about the rears. The front brakes do approximately 80% of your car's braking so it just makes more sense to spend your time and money there. In purely stock form my rear drum brakes lock up before my front brakes will under heavy braking if I'm not going perfectly straight. It's also easier to upgrade your front brakes.
Regarding distribution, if the difference is negligible that would by default mean that the increase in braking capability was also negligible. You are free to do whatever you see fit obviously, these are only my opinions.
In reality good upgraded front brake pads will probably give you almost all of the emergency stopping power that you would have with huge disc brakes at all 4 corners. The main benefit of upgrading your brakes is to prevent overheating during repeated heavy braking. With upgraded pads and drilled/slotted rotors on my stock brakes I have emergency stopped from 125mph before without brake fade.</div>
However, when all is said and done, if simply improving the stock set-up with the best replacement parts I can obtain would give me the type of braking for which I am looking, then it would be ludicrous to invest the time, energy, and expense involved in making the conversion.
Thank you, 187sks. You've given me food for thought.
Sincerely,
Eric Torres
tron1
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(187sks @ Oct 7 2008, 10:53 PM) </div><div class='quotemain'>The combination of J1 Elantra brake parts may bolt on, but if they do I have never heard of it working that way. That doesn't mean it won't work though.
If you are looking for better braking I would highly suggest that you upgrade the front brakes before worrying about the rears. The front brakes do approximately 80% of your car's braking so it just makes more sense to spend your time and money there. In purely stock form my rear drum brakes lock up before my front brakes will under heavy braking if I'm not going perfectly straight. It's also easier to upgrade your front brakes.
Regarding distribution, if the difference is negligible that would by default mean that the increase in braking capability was also negligible. You are free to do whatever you see fit obviously, these are only my opinions.
In reality good upgraded front brake pads will probably give you almost all of the emergency stopping power that you would have with huge disc brakes at all 4 corners. The main benefit of upgrading your brakes is to prevent overheating during repeated heavy braking. With upgraded pads and drilled/slotted rotors on my stock brakes I have emergency stopped from 125mph before without brake fade.</div>
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12,515
Likes: 2
From: Lacey, WA
Vehicle: Two Accents, Mini, Miata, Van, Outback, and a ZX-6
No problem Eric! I don't like to discourage people from modding their cars, I just want you to get the effect you desire.
I am upgrading my brakes, but I race mine.
Good pads and wide tires with good grip should work well for you. Tires will make more difference than any size of brakes would.
I am upgrading my brakes, but I race mine.
Good pads and wide tires with good grip should work well for you. Tires will make more difference than any size of brakes would.