tjwong

I got my new AO engineering dual caliper kit installed but I have a small problem. I can't seem to be able to get all the air out of the system so consequently I have a low pedal. Has anyone else out there that has installed the system, have any tricks on getting the air out. I have a power bleeder and I ran at least a full quart of fluid through the system trying to bleed it.

Tomorrow I am going to try it again, this time I am going to move the calipers so that the bleeder is facing more in a upward direction and possibly move a couple lines in case there is air trapped in the interconnecting line between the second caliper.

Nick C

Tom,

You might be right, the caliper orientation might be affecting it. You could also try using speed bleeders?

Let me ask you, will A/O sell you the bracketry and lines seperately, or do you have to get the whole kit from them? (I already have the pads/calipers for the job) Do they also recommend a different Master cylinder?

How much did you pay for everything? Thanks!

Nick

C10 JDR

I have had similar problems before, on other cars. Try living with the low pedal and driving around for a few days, then bleed again. This has worked for me.

ericcer

I have that system on my car and LOVE it. It took a few weeks in my case to get it bled. This system has a lot more fluid so it will take some time. I ran through about 3 quarts to get mine right.

No master cylinder change is needed for 95-96 cars and requires J55 (big)brakes. You have to supply the calipers and the kit comes with SS lines, bolts and brackets for all 4 wheels. I got everything new so the cost of everything was less than $1600. I have the collector edition calipers which I think is more expensive. You can cut down the cost quite a bit if you can find used calipers.




[Modified by ericcer, 6:35 PM 4/3/2004]


[Modified by ericcer, 7:14 AM 4/4/2004]

tjwong

It is a great system, I spent slightly less than $1600 for all the parts which included rebuilt NAPA rear calipers and new front calipers from GM. Also my kit didn't come with the extra set of caliper pins, but these are easily available from NAPA as caliper hardware kits for about $9 each. The kit was very easy to install. Aside from making a mess with the brake fluid its pretty easy. One thing I noticed with my kit is that they need to give you a 2 pairs of short banjo bolts for the single hose on the second caliper. In my kit I had to use the original bolt which was a little long which necessitated using extra copper washers. I am replacing them today as I have to bleed everything again anyway. I will get a couple of pictures of my setup to post later.

AO basically sells you the kit which is just the brackets. They can however supply you with calipers as well. But I am not sure if they still offer this service. Calipers are easy to come by so its not a big deal.

Oh, I forgot to mention.....even with a low pedal that I have now. The power of this system is AMAZING! I can tell you that once I get the air out of this system this car will stop like it should. Already the braking is improved by at least 50% and its only going to get better! :D


[Modified by tjwong, 8:35 AM 4/3/2004]

Widebody

Tom, you may have to use the Camaro master to get rid of the low pedal. I remember reading an article where the Vette Doctors had installed the same kit and needed the extra volume to bring the pedal up. I did the same master for my Big Red/C5 front on the rear combo. I think I still have the part # for the Wagner equivalent. Let me know if you need it.

Terry

Nick C

Sounds pretty good, I'd love to see more pictures of the setup.

So you get the lines, bolts, and brackets from A/O engineering. How much do they get for that? Did you get just the fronts, or all four?
Thanks!

Nick

IBEAM700

Sounds Cool.. Cant wait to see the Pics :lurk:

tjwong

Here are the pics:









I bled the system again today to improve the feel of the system. I did find a couple tricks to get additional air out of the system and its quite easy to do. All one has to do is to partially remove the new front caliper and position it so that the bleeder is standing straight up like the original caliper, then you can get more air out of it.

For the rears, you must remove one caliper retainer bolt that connects the caliper to the slider bolts, this will allow the caliper to drop down and away from the bracket. You must place a block of wood into the area where the pads reside to keep the piston from popping out. Once in place pressure can be applied either by manual means or by a pressure bleeder. When the caliper drops down from the bracket the bleeder valve is positioned in a vertical position and more entrapped air can be bled out of the system

The system feels very good now, but I still have a slightly low pedal. Hopefully its either that 8 sets of pads have not seated into the new rotors yet or replacing the master cylinder with an F body for additional volume will cure the problem. The car stops HARD now and I mean it stops HARD. Braking efficiency is increase by at least 100% and I am not kidding at all. Before I could not get the tires to even squeal let alone getting the ABS system to sing. Now at even low speeds of about 25 MPH I can lock all four tires up and make the ABS system sing the blues! I have driven Vettes with big Brembo systems and let me tell you there is no comparision between what I have now and what a Brembo system gives that costs over twice the money. This system makes the Brembos feel like a stock system that needs work!





[Modified by tjwong, 2:45 PM 4/3/2004]

Nick C

Tom,

They look great, but how much for the pieces that A/O sends you??

IBEAM700

Now thats a kick azz setup :yesnod: :thumbs: Nice Job :cool: :cool:

FX GS

Does A/O have a web site? Counld'nt find anything.

ericcer

I beleive it was $900

I agree with that!





[Modified by ericcer, 7:06 PM 4/3/2004]

Bruce

Tom
It nice lookning rotors also. That I what I have an argument with someone here thinks know it all, regarding 6 piston Alcon brake. Alcon/Bear/Brembo they all cost $3500. I can do dual 13" caliper like AO Engineering dual brakes will out perform the $3500+ 6 piston Alcon/Bear/Brembo brake for much less. Finally we have Tom here speak from experience eh?. That I will be doing next yrs.


Bruce

ericcer

The don't have a web site. They are technically a wholesale distributor. Here is a flyer I got from them which has the phone number.

BAM92

Tom I don't know how you can say the braking is better. By looking at how clean your wheel wells are I dont think you even drive your car. LOL. By the way you didn't happen to copy the measurements of those brackets before installing on car did you? :skep:

Corvette0096

That is a sharp looking set up. Now get that to the track..... :)

Raysur

Those are nuts. :crazy:

It must snap your neck when you hit the brakes. :lol:

The only downside I see is the amount of heat being made. It looks like you would need fans to cool them off at the track.

larryfs

actually I say the amount of heat is the same. it takes a certain amount of energy to slow the car, which turns into heat. so I say each caliper produces half the heat. so I forsee a NEVER fade system. pretty cool to say the least. and I say the pads last longer too. twice as long!

ericcer

That is pretty much what A/O Engineering states. You also don't need agressive pads becuase the system bits so hard anyway.


[Modified by ericcer, 1:15 PM 4/4/2004]