Carbon Ceramic

[EnzoMC]

after being out in the 430 Scuderia with carbon ceramic I started looking at these for mine but soon found out how expensive there are and I don't drive mine hard enough to warrent these.. would be interesting to hear comments and impression from anyone who has these and if anyone has installed these on a Gransport


different subject - was thinking about my S4 and missing the pull when the bi-turbos kicked in - the 3200 must be awesome when these kick-in. 3200 must have more torgue than the 4200 and Gransport but wasn't sure if these are that much quicker with the bigger engine than the 3200.

 

[Emtee]

I was speaking to Geoff at Shiltech about this recently, as he has a Scud in for sale and has race prepped them. One owner raced with both carbons and steels and came back reporting no discernible difference in braking, and around that particular track no difference in fade. That said the race spec car does have additional brake cooling, which may have made a difference. So if this is the prognosis under race conditions in a Scud, I can see no point in considering them for a GS. Much rather go for upgraded brakes such as Loz's AP's or the FD big brake kits. Less expensive to boot. Interestingly the carbons are a warranty item on the Scud, so if you change to steels you loose your warranty at resale.

As for the torques, the 3200 does have more than the 4200 / GS - 362 as opposed to 333, but it's the torque curve and the different gearing on the 3200 that give it it's more 'aggressive' reputation. Overall car weights across the three models are the same, so once the higher bhp of the later models is taken into account, the performances are very much on a par, you just have to throttle them differently to add the speed.

 

[Maser Sod]

When the 3200 turbos kick in, your first inclination is to cry out "Warp Speed, Mr Sulu!". Coming out of a 3 litre GTV, it was a large step up and I've never grinned so much in my life as the day I drove my newly-purchased 3200 back from Andover to Bristol.

Driving a GranSport for the first time after having sold the 3200, I really missed that feeling of 'launch control', but I've learned now how to use the power bands.

 

[conaero]

You also have to take into account the balaance. The 3200 is very nose heavy where the 4200/GS, with the transaxle (gearbox at the back) is much better balanced so you can put the power down better.

As you MS, still smile when I remember how those turbos used to spook up, savage, but it cries of warp speed were always followed up with oh sh!te when the straight road ran out.

Made you feel alive though!

 

[lozcb]

after being out in the 430 Scuderia with carbon ceramic I started looking at these for mine but soon found out how expensive there are and I don't drive mine hard enough to warrent these.. would be interesting to hear comments and impression from anyone who has these and if anyone has installed these on a Gransport


different subject - was thinking about my S4 and missing the pull when the bi-turbos kicked in - the 3200 must be awesome when these kick-in. 3200 must have more torgue than the 4200 and Gransport but wasn't sure if these are that much quicker with the bigger engine than the 3200.

Obviously there is a difference whether its worth the exagerated cost involved is conjecture to the size of your bank balance , what a lot of people dont realise and fail to take into account is that carbon ceramics altho far superior to most standard brakes actually wear out nearly twice as quick per braking minute , so need replacing twice as often

A lot of fezza and lambo owners take them off and use standard brake systems, replacing them when sale time comes around , pointless exercise in my book , i wont advocate one braking stystem against another , but im extremely happy with my own AP's , and having now done some 12K miles since they were fitted im astounded and surprised that for the amount of brake dust im reguarly cleaning of my wheels that the pads still look brand new ..............so yeah im chuffed


regards loz

 

[mjheathcote]

Loz, are your AP's a one off or available through an AP agent?
Never seen them marketed...£?...well you have to ask!

 

[lozcb]

Loz, are your AP's a one off or available through an AP agent?
Never seen them marketed...£?...well you have to ask!

I think they appear to be a one off , my car was used as the R and D for the upgrade , it took an age to come to fruition , some 9 months at a time when the recession was at its worst , when it was done it was deemed too expensive and not production worthy for the numbers that would be involved , especially as they would be competing against there parent company Brembo, ferrari on the other hand have far greater numbers than maserati , so it looks as people would have to go for the Brembo upgrade from now , difference is my front discs are 380mm and the brembo ones are 360mm , ask my missus she reckons 20mm is a lot more pleasure hahahha



regards loz

 

[EnzoMC]

interesting info - thanks guys - thats my new thing learnt for today on Ceramics

the S4 was noise heavy but the GS dose seem nicely balanced - will have to seek a ride in a 3200 at some point just to fill that kick "Warp Speed, Mr Sulu!". (nicely put)


Loz - so bigger does count

 

[mjheathcote]

I think they appear to be a one off , my car was used as the R and D for the upgrade , it took an age to come to fruition , some 9 months at a time when the recession was at its worst , when it was done it was deemed too expensive and not production worthy for the numbers that would be involved , especially as they would be competing against there parent company Brembo, ferrari on the other hand have far greater numbers than maserati , so it looks as people would have to go for the Brembo upgrade from now , difference is my front discs are 380mm and the brembo ones are 360mm , ask my missus she reckons 20mm is a lot more pleasure hahahha



regards loz

Didn't realise AP and Brembo where part of the same group.
Shouldn't be surprised though!