What Endless Brakes?

Pic 1: Endless 6 pot brakes clearance

Yes I can't wait for those lovely Endless 6 pot brakes to be installed into the ER34!!

Two days ago, I try-fitted in the Endless 6 pot but was utterly disappointed that there is a clearance issue. Between the caliper and the inner wheel, there's just about 2mm of clearance. The clearance is so close that even the wheel balancing counter-weighs couldn't pass through the gap. Yes it's that small. With the balancing counter-weighs removed, even the residue two-way tape underneath touches the caliper as the wheel is spun around.

Pic 2: It will hit on the balancing counter-weighs at the bottom left of the picture

A couple of guys said it's ok as long as the caliper does not touch any part of the wheel as it turns, but me being a little bit more careful gave it a hard thought and conjure out some worst case scenarios. I was thinking of:-

- Wheel flex under hard load (eg. while cornering) could have physical impact with the calipers
- A bent wheel (if I hit a massive pot hole) could also have physical impact with the calipers
- If a pebble/stone gets lodged between the caliper and the wheel, the inner wheel would have been scratched to kingdom come.
- etc.....

All of these thoughts made me realise that I cannot be driving with full confidence with these in my head. It is just not worth it to be thinking of the what-ifs while driving enthusiastically.

I do know the problem is due to my wheel design which is a Work Emotion XD-9 but changing to a new wheel now is not the solution. I tried-fitted in a Volk Racing TE37 and it has ample clearance. So much that a kid could be swimming in between! Well ok, I exaggerated a little bit but you get the picture.

Due to the above fears, I have decided not to mount on the Endless 6 pot brakes. It's totally sad as I was looking forward to having some good uprated braking power. Plus it's like my dream set of brakes. Sob! So I guess these brakes would be up for sale if there's any interested parties out there. :(

Pic 3: Newly skimmed Project Mu SCR Pro rotors

Well because I can't get those lovely Endless brakes in, I've decided to uhm ..... 're-new' my current brakes. I had the Project Mu SCR Pro rotors skimmed a wee bit and also changed to new Endless Super Street - S-sports brake pads (EP230 SSS). These are rated to 500 degrees which would be sufficient for fast road usage.

Pic 4: Endless Super Street - S-sports brake pads (EP230 SSS)


Pic 5: Endless Super Street - S-sports brake pads (EP230 SSS)

Endless System Inch Up Brake Kit (6 pot)

Pic 1: 6 pot Endless System Inch Up Brake Kit

Going back in time to April 2007, I posted an entry on the painting of the stock ER34 Sumitomo calipers to blue. Why blue? Well I always liked the blue Endless calipers; and thus, did the next best thing back then, i.e. blue stock calipers. Yeah, I'm sure some readers will be scorning at the decision. LOL :D

I've been on the lookout for stock BNR34 Brembo brakes (front + rear) off and on for a while now. Just too bad that I have yet to stumble upon a set that is reasonably priced and in mint condition. As luck would have it, out of the blue (pun intended!) and totally unplanned and un-budgeted for, I ended up with a set of front Endless System Inch Up Brake Kit.

Pic 2: 6 pot Endless System Inch Up Brake Kit

This set of Endless System Inch Up Brake Kit came off a R34 Skyline and thus is just plug and play into mine. Unfortunately I only have the front pair tho. Looks like the rear will have to do with stock calipers with the current Project Mu rotors. I hope there will not be too much of an irregular brake balance. But then it is said that only 20% of the brake force is at the rear, the front is doing most of the stopping anyway.

The set I got is in relatively good condition and it comes complete with:

1) 2X Endless 6 pot calipers
2) 2X Endless 345mm rotors
3) 2X Endless brackets to suit R34 fitment
4) 2 pairs of Endless brake pads (plenty of meat!)

Pic 3: 6 pot Endless 6 pot Calipers


Pic 4: 6 pot Endless 6 pot Calipers

Out of curiosity, I weight the parts on my home electronic scale and got the below readings:-

Endless calipers with brackets - 4.9kg each
Endless rotors - 9.7kg each

I would have expected it to be lighter tho, afterall it's made from diecast aluminium composite material. I can't wait to fit this on the ER34!!

PS. Looks like my Project Mu SCR Pro 2 piece floating rotors will be up for sale soon. :P

Pic 5: Endless 345mm rotors


Pic 6: Mockup behind a stock BNR34 wheel

Sumitomo rear brake pads

Pic 1: Sumitomo brake pads

I've not changed the rear brake pads of the ER34 since I acquired her. Yes it's that long. So one fine day I decided to chuck the old stock pads away and insert in new brake pads. I am not going to spend a lot on rear brake pads because only about 20% of the braking force is at the rear so there's not really much reason to splurge too much on it.

That's how I decided on the Sumitomo brake pads (Part No. SN797P). Does the job well and comes in at a reasonable price. :)

It's been doing its job pretty fine so far and am happy with this decision instead of opting for mega expensive high temperature rear brake pads.

Pic 2: The face of the pads


Pic 3: The rear of the pads


Pic 5: Part No. SN797P


Pic 5: Errr....dunno what it says. :P