volvo brakes

[johnscf]

I have seen referenced many times on here to the volvo disc brake conversion. What is the exact conversion and is it a direct bolt on swap without modification?

[ppeters914]

I have seen referenced many times on here to the volvo disc brake conversion. What is the exact conversion and is it a direct bolt on swap without modification?

There are quite a few threads on this. I recommend starting with the TechWiki:

http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.p ... ion.Brakes

Happy reading!

[JT68]

Don't bother Charlie, there are much better options. The Volvo calipers use smaller pistons so your braking performance is actually worse than original equipment. Not a great plan.

Suggest you stay with OEM, check out the Spriso kit, or possibly Wilwoods, all those work better than the Volvo kludge.

If you do get a Wilwood kit, be sure to get 4.12sq-in calipers. 3.0's are no bueno. (also a reduction in stopping power/increased stopping difference) The 4.12's work extremely well with increased stopping power.

Michael's (Spriso) kit is excellent and the caliper piston size is correct too!

Stock is easiest and least expensive.

[ppeters914]

Don't bother Charlie, there are much better options. The Volvo calipers use smaller pistons so your braking performance is actually worse than original equipment. Not a great plan.

Suggest you stay with OEM, check out the Spriso kit, or possibly Wilwoods, all those work better than the Volvo kludge.

If you do get a Wilwood kit, be sure to get 4.12sq-in calipers. 3.0's are no bueno. (also a reduction in stopping power/increased stopping difference) The 4.12's work extremely well with increased stopping power.

Michael's (Spriso) kit is excellent and the caliper piston size is correct too!

Stock is easiest and least expensive.

Experts please correct me, but I don't believe any of these options are simple remove and replace without any modifications, which is what the OP wondered.

JT, why do you call the Volvo conversion a kludge? Are you referring to the original or the Blue Hands (aka mklotz) option, or both?

[JT68]

So the Volvo stuff was popular for a while because the calipers happen to have the same bolt pattern as the oem calipers and they used to be relatively cheap. But there is really nothing great about them. Just because a part may bolt on doesn't make it an improvement. Like I said, because of the smaller piston surface area of the caliper, higher pedal effort is required just to match the OEM stopping distance. How is that a braking upgrade?
Because it is cheaper? no.

There are other annoying details about the Volvo stuff too. There were calipers that had two brake hydraulic circuits and some that did not, so some folks were making one-off 2-into-1 hydraulic adapters at some point. As I recall the solid rotor calipers were also designed for a thicker rotor than the roadster (especially if your rotors have been turned) and to make certain vented rotors work there were offset spacers made to reposition the wheel hubs.

lastly, the Volvo calipers are just as heavy as OEM calipers, so no benefit there. They make a great anchor for a small fishing boat!

If folks want to do all this wackiness, that is fine, but the Spriso, Wilwood and stock setups are all better in various ways and stop better.

[D P]

I have seen referenced many times on here to the volvo disc brake conversion. What is the exact conversion and is it a direct bolt on swap without modification?

The main issue with the Volvo conversion is that those Volvo calipers are no longer readily available as they were in previous years.

FYI I have it and I am very happy with it.

[spl310]

As a point of reference, some of the brake conversions require larger wheels. That being the case, you should factor wheels and tires into the cost of the conversion.