re: V8 UFO Brake Conversion

[Phil Rose <pjrose@servtech.com>]

>Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 11:39:00 -0400
>From: CLIFFORD ILKAY <clifford_ilkay@dinamis.com>
>Subject: V8 UFO Brake Conversion
>
>Hi Everyone,
>
>I would like to convert the brakes on my 1990 V8 from the so-called UFO
>brakes to the conventional brakes. A couple of people have been kind enough
>to give me some pointers off the list but I am in need of more detailed
>information. I was told that I need the brakes, hubs, and struts from an S4
>and the steering arms from a 200. My dealer is of no help whatsoever and in
>fact is trying to discourage me from doing the conversion. Is the
>information that I have so far, accurate? If it is accurate, what year of
>S4 and 200 do I need? Why can I not use everything from a 200? Would I use
>the springs from my V8 or use the ones from the S4 or 200? Any help with
>these questions and any other information you might have, such as part
>numbers, would be most appreciated.


Clifford,
Category of this reply is "any other information":

Although you have not given any reason(s) for desiring to do the brake
conversion, I'll assume its the difficulty of having the UFO calipers
resurfaced if/when they become warped. Are you aware that some on this list
have posted quite recently about successful machining of the UFO calipers?
And there have been others who have asserted that they have avoided
UFO-warpage problems over many dozens of Kmiles. I can't give any
first-hand testimony to either of these aspects.

Anyway, as you probably know, many '91 200qs have had the conversion done.
Most who have driven with both the UFO and the converted rotors (including
myself) attest to the decidedly inferior stopping ability of the latter.
Now, your V8 is at least several hundred lbs _heavier_ than even the '91
200q. I suspect that you may (will?) not be very happy with the ability to
stop your car using the converted brakes. Is this why your dealer is not
being very encouraging? I doubt the conversion could be considered very
cost-effective from what I know of cost of UFO parts and the typical prices
on a conversion.

Sorry to be a wet blanket.

Phil

Phil Rose		Rochester, NY
'89 100
'91 200q		pjrose@servtech.com