Best Brake Cylinder

[robert1700]

In my first DOHC swap what is the best brake package? I have driven three e30's with the M5x or S5x with e21, e30 ix and e34 540i brakes cylinders.Which do people prefer? I have a extra 540i one and I was going to use that, plus its bigger than the rest.

[328ijunkie]

E34 V8 is what i run on everything. Best combo

[frankie591]

e30 slotted is the best option because you already have it.

Slotting the holes and modifying the clevis took me all of 45 minutes to do.

[hwy84]

^ This. Though, it took me about an hour. I am clumsy, I guess.

[MR 325]

I like the E32 735i booster/master with remote 2002 reservoir.

[10Toes]

I like my E21 with stock master.

[eurosport22]

i like my e21 with stock master. i have to stand on the brakes a little more when im coming up on traffic at 110 on the highway but normal driving i dont really notice much

[MR 325]

Nothing like worse braking with more horsepower!

[evandael]

i thought that it's not worse braking, it's just more effort. so you just need to work out that right leg a bit more.


the best would probably be the e30 ix booster/master with some upgraded rotors and pads. it'll retain stock-like driveability and pedal feel because it was stock. slotting the firewall to use the stock booster makes me nervous, just from a 'hack-job' point of view.

[MR 325]

i thought that it's not worse braking, it's just more effort. so you just need to work out that right leg a bit more.


the best would probably be the e30 ix booster/master with some upgraded rotors and pads. it'll retain stock-like driveability and pedal feel because it was stock. slotting the firewall to use the stock booster makes me nervous, just from a 'hack-job' point of view.

I agree, I am not a "slot the firewall" kind of guy.

That's why I recommend (and use) the E32 735i setup. It fits like the iX booster (same) but has a bigger master cylinder. The brake feel is GREAT.

[Adrian_Visser]

^I run the same^

I think it's important to realize though that what you are increasing is your braking system's ability to apply pressure to the hydraulic pistons at the wheels. This doesn't actually mean your stopping distances or resistance to brake fade will change.
It takes better pads and larger rotors/better cooling respectively for that.

However underboosted brakes are obviously worse than over boosted with too large a master cylinder.

It could even be argued that a 25mm master cylinder on stock brakes will make your braking worse because of the loss of pedal travel and modulation that gives you.

I personally like the stiff pedal feel, it goes with my z4 short shifter's short crisp notchiness.

[e30rapidic]

I have a 944 turbo booster and 7 series master. awesome

[FARZAD]

I have e21 booster and the brakes Sucks........

[robert1700]

just finished and i love the firm feel of the 540i booster and cylineder, by far the best i have felt, way better than the e21 and ix.

[yanal]

I moved the stock booster and it sucks !!! I'd never do it again.

Btw I have e36 M3 fronts and e30 m3 rears