I've been doing a little more R&D on upgrading the brakes for the limited without having to spend a fortune on the Brembo and Stop Tech systems (appx. $3,500).

Based on the R&D we've done, we have developed a bolt-on brake upgrade system for the Limited which will cost $2,300 that includes;

Front:
13.0” x 1.25” vented discs
1.73” diameter dual piston sliding calipers
Porterfield Carbon / Kevlar Pads
359.8 sq. in. swept area

Rear:
11.8” x 0.87” solid discs
1.65” diameter single piston opposing calipers
Porterfield Carbon / Kevlar Pads
255.0 sq. in. swept area.

We are in the process of doing a photo install step-by-step instruction and should have it done in the next few weeks

 

HDDP, sorry off topic question, but are you running a better steering damper than what comes stock. I think mine sux. This car wanders like it has a mind of its own sometime. I want to put a better damper on it.

Thanks

 

I haven't been able to find a performance damper built specifically for the car, but was thinking of experimenting with a few general ones during the spring... I agree it is a bit soft and limits the feedback you would expect from a sports racer... The "SLOP" has become more pronounced with the wider front tires. It may also be a result of bushings...

I have looked at some Ohlins and Penske products that may work...

 

Good job on this HDDP! Keep us updated.

 

HDDP, you might want to think about adding a set of stainless steel brake lines as well. They make a noticeable difference in stopping power and pedal feel. Since you will have everything apart anyway changing the lines out would be a snap.

 

Good homework. Thanks for sharing.

 

There is an outstanding question on how much stainless brakelines will help with the car. The OEM rubber lines are supposed to be 'very stiff' from the factory.

I am assuming the brakes on the SRT-6 are the same as the SLK32. Working on that assumption you can upgrade the rotors to first gen E55 floating rotors.

 

Using SS lines on some of my past M.B.'s I can say it helps with the "feel" but does not make the car stop faster.

Many parts are interchangeable with other M.B. systems but when you get into 4+ piston calipers and floating rotors the cost starts to get on the silly side.

Only suggestion I might have is if your going to do the conversation, one might want to look into getting a set of slotted or cross-drilled rotors since the cost of some of the quality aftermarket units are not much more than the OEM ones. While it probably won't do much for overall braking performance, it adds a nice touch to the car...

 

Slotted will actually help for performance braking applications... Four-six equally spaced slots will "SWEEP" the brake dust away from the pad and disc surface. Drilled rotors have a tendency of cracking at high temps on the track, so I steer clear of them. I plan on machining the slots in the OEM discs at my shop... Also, we usually grind a trough into the discs to 1/32" deep that matches the swept area of the pad... Helps make a small canyon that grabs the edges of the pad as well as the surface of the pad...

 

Yes, these are some of the pro's and con's I heard about each. The C32 actually uses front cross-drilled rotors from the factory and I haven't heard or known of any major issues with cracking on them...

Actually the C32 setup might not be a bad idea and I'll have to dig up the specs again on them but it might also work with the Crossfire...I installed a C32 brake setup on a friends '02 C230 coupe for only around $550 which included two front OEM 4-point piston calipers, front set of OEM pads and 2 stock OEM cross-drilled rotors for that price...

 

Good for you... Kudos on installing a C32 brake set-up on a friends C230... I'm wondering the relevance of your post and how it has anything to do with upgrading the Crossfire Limited brakes with the SRT6 brakes in lieu of purchasing a big brake kit from Brembo or Stop Tech. Please clue me in!

I like hypotheticals... LOL

 

bobs: I already have Goodridge braided brake lines on the car... They were cheap and easy to install...

 

And here I thought you maybe getting an early start on a New Year's resolution to not be such a pric*...my bad...

My point was, if it would work, you could upgrade the Limited brakes to the C32's brake setup and in the process get: 4-piston calipers instead of 2 piston units that are used on the SRT-6's, get bigger and cross-drilled rotors than what the SRT-6 uses, and get a set of OEM pads for a total that's cheaper then the cost of the prices you listed for the complete SRT brake job.

 

Nope... No New Years resolutions here... LOL

I'm convinced the SRT6 brake swap will provide ALL of the stopping power we will need on the track. The ability to dive-in a little deeper in a turn will help compensate for this lack-luster HP on the limited. And even though I have a Brembo Big Brake Kit sitting in the shop waiting to be installed, I'm looking-out for the GROUP by experimenting with less expensive bolt-on alternatives.

Why do these things always turn into a debate with you? ... This is a simple brake upgrade with OEM parts!!! You can go on and on with your hypothetical one-upsmanship and I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself... Until I see ONE performance upgrade that you have R&D'd and installed on your car, I will continue to be a pric* to you...

 

There are at least several posts on swapping the C32 brakes onto the SLK32 and how it results in decreased braking performance vs. stock.

I will try and dig up the info.

 

Here is the info I could find quickly on the C32 to SLK32 brake swap. As I find any additional info I will post it.

Intriguing mod for the SLK32, but the degraded performance may be caused by...

...here are my theories...

It's quite possible that inferior performance may have been related to the switch to a new flexible brake line.

If the new adapter hose itself or the end fittings connected after the installation of C32 calipers onto the SLK32 has a flow diameter slightly smaller than the original hose, pressure drop can increase! The smaller braided hose may have been used to compensate for a longer hose length with the thought of equaling or reducing unsprung weight.

Once pressure drop increased, reaction of the calipers can be minutely slowed and the applied force on the pads relatively decreased as well.

There should have been an improvement on the SLK32's braking or stopping distances with the C32 brakes' larger swept area! Those brakes were designed to stop a heavier car.

Another item to check for is any difference in the designed boost pressure between the C32's and the SLK32's brake systems. It's entirely possible the C32 has a higher applied brake system pressure rating.

The logic for these technical theories are based on basic hydraulic system design principles! Maybe Tim's friends can try again. Hope this helps!

 

Just to clue you in buddy, the stock 4-pot C32's calipers are MADE by Brembo. Doesn't your BBK also have only 4-piston calipers? ...if your looking for a less expensive alternative, there you go...

I don't know how many times I need to repeat this to you. YOUR CAR uses the same internals (engine and tranny) from the R170 SLK platform. THAT MEANS every engine and performance modification that will work for the SLK320 will work for your vehicle. Stop tooting your own horn for work that has already been done many years before the Crossfire ever went into production. It doesn't take a genius to read some articles on what past SLK owners have done to there car's and apply them to the Crossfire...

 

Do you have the complete article? From what I read it looks like a quick fix of trying out some different SS brake lines would solve any problems they were experiencing...

 

Hey Respdoc, I never asked you, why is your Crossfire listed as "UNDER THE WEATHER"? I gotta go back in the posts and find out what that's all about. It may give me a well deserved chuckle...

 

Sorry to disappoint you but all it means is that the car still is having cont. tranny leaks and shifting problems...you'll have to take a walk out to your garage if your looking for a good laugh...