Alcon CSL Cup Full Brake Kit

[Rick H]

I've got Alcon CSL Cup brakes with RS29s. I got them from a register member, they were virtually on my doorstep at a price that I'd have been an idiot to ignore. They were put on by Darren Woods in Stockport with AP600 fluid.

I have no experience of the APs so I can't compare.

To live with, well they certainly stop the car but it took a day in Wales with Ben for me to fully "get" what they're about. What I'm not sure about is pedal travel and initial feel - initially I was concerned about shunting Ben but as the day progressed, I got used to them and more confident.

Pedal travel is longer than I'd like, and after some discussion with someone on here who clearly knows his stuff - a possible solution was to put on 2lb pre-load valves to retain some brake pressure after the pedal is released.

After some thought, I've decided to leave them as they are, not use valves and just get used to them. The more I drive, the more familiar with them I'm getting and I'm now more able to judge feel and the grab point.

They have a bit of clatter which, oddly perhaps, I quite like.

The general view appears to be that APs are better for track as they have shorter pedal travel and grab sooner (I'm sure AP guys, or anyone that has used both systems will correct and elaborate on that) and the CSL Cups are easier to live with day to day for people like myself who are not out and out track drivers.

I don't see why they should be more expensive than the APs.

[titan]

Initial bite is down to pad choice. I ran XP12 pads prior and these were quite nasty for road use. If road was your thing then XP8. (Having used pagids, mintex and others I really prefer and rate the carbotech stuff)

But I really don't know why road use is ever a critera for kits like these. If you need a floating 365mm disc and monobloc assembly for road, then you're either a nutter or have some mentalist roads near you.

Brake fade and heat issues is generally down to the size and type of discs. AP uses the original E46 disc (328mm), the Alcon is a 348 mm disc. Part of producing a good brake system to fit a standard car (ie retain existing brake cylinders/bias etc) is that the front/rear split has to be maintained. Probably another reason why alcon increase the rear disc size.

as I say on and on and on. But lets not derail this thread

[Rick H]

"But I really don't know why road use is ever a critera for kits like these. If you need a floating 365mm disc and monobloc assembly for road, then you're either a nutter or have some mentalist roads near you."

Well I think because most of the cars (on here anywayz) are used on the track as well as road in varying degrees. Ok, when pottering off to the garden centre for a few geraniums is the sole use of BMs finest, bbks border on the unnecessary and are a waste of money, but then so would a CSL be in the first place.

My reasoning was that the car will be used on a track, will be used on Welsh roads (and will be used to pick up geraniums) so I need all the help I can get plus I'd probably get back what they cost on resale so like yours, having them makes a lot of sense.

[shimmy]

Is my front disc really 328mm?

And I'm sure he callliper design and matrial make a huge difference to the heat dissipation.

[titan]

Rear. One question was why the Alcon set is more expensive. They provide additional discs whereas AP do not.

Fronts are same size although you make a good point about the material. AP had cracking issues in the evo world no such troubles with alcons. Was a while back could be bad batch or redesign who knows. I was only trying to explain why all my cars have had alcons with zero issues.

[nigt3]

I've Alcons and really like them, their discs are far superior than ap's!!

[Das Chin]

Originally Posted by titan

Rear. One question was why the Alcon set is more expensive. They provide additional discs whereas AP do not.

Lee, AP do provide the additional rear disc as well as the caliper as a full set....I have it on mine. see below:

rear:



Fronts:



it about £4k all in (depends on where you buy it)

BUT I would agree that the AP kit is nowhere near as good quality as the ALCON kit that you have. and why the Alcon kit is much more $$.

also the rear AP grooved disc as part of the BBK is a one piece design (with the handbrake drum inside) where as the Alcon disc is a two piece design with the ali middle so it helps with better heat dissipation. plus the AP disc is the same size as the OEM but grooved, not drilled. the Alcon rear disc is a larger diameter.

all in all that Alcon kit is a superb piece of kit and worth every penny (and more!!)

NW

[titan]

Cheers mate for clearing that up. I can see now that some places online offer the rear kit with or without new discs.

I agree that the AP setup uses a 328mm rear disc (OE or AP), whereas the alcon is slightly bigger. And yes I have ali hubs.

I see you got your driveway from AP as well, all cracked in the first photo and then replaced under warranty in the second ? ;-) Only kidding. Been ages since I heard anything about cracked discs on AP. I think its a great kit and I'm not sure the alcon kit justifies the extra dollar but I wouldn't use anything else on a car now.

Amusingly, I sent back the rear E46 pads to Ian at Carbotech as "I'll never use them" - turns out they are the same pads as what the atom uses at the front. Sods law.

[Das Chin]

you knobby. good luck with sale.

[Neil M]

If you've go it, flaunt it - discreetly!