Brake Caliper Question

[bassbuddy386]

Hey all,

I am super pumped with my Powerboost! I have a question though. What’s the situation on Big Brakes? If I wanted to put a big brake System on my truck would it mess with my regenerative braking?

hope someone here may have some advice

thanks

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[SilverPigeon]

Short answer, compare the part numbers of a power boost truck's pads/rotors/epb with those of the same spec but non-power boost. If everything is the same, then there should be no influence exerted upon the regen system by those components.

The question would then become: should you do it?
Not without an expert's ok and with the full knowledge that warranty will be voided. I am not an expert.

If that was all something you're prepared to take on, then the VERY FIRST question (and the one I'd be SURE of before even asking the above questions or taking any action) is: is it worth the cost at all?

1. leaving regen out of the way, the purpose of brakes is to convert kinetic energy into heat. The purpose of big brake kits is to provide better friction materials and larger contact areas and pressures to a) convert more kinetic energy into heat or b) reduce the fading effect of repeated brake applications by better heat dissipation, or both.

2. Number 1 means that in the designed applications that the vehicle is used for, a big brake kit might be totally unnecessary. The way to find out is to locate a fairly "sticky" stretch of road and stomp on the brakes at speed. If the ABS engages, then the wheels were locking up. This can only happen if the TYRES have exceeded their limits of friction (grip) on the road surface. Therefore, bigger/better brakes are not the solution; better, "grippier" tyres are.

3. Number 1 also means that bigger/better brakes are warranted when fading becomes an issue. Two main situations cause this: racing and towing. If you're racing your powerboost, all bets are off. If you are experiencing fading while towing, then a big brake kit may be helpful, but usually better rotors and pads will suffice to eliminate most fade situations encountered on public roads.

Hope that helps. Again, I'm NOT an expert.