Automotive

The original discs on my car are 296 mm big. For a 252 HP and a 1128 kilos car, it was enough. But now, with such a torque and HP increase ( 375 NM / 302 HP ), I had to find another solution. 

I chose AP Racing discs with grooves, on an aluminium bowl, in a diameter of 330 mm for the front and the rear, Ferodo 2500 brake pads, special brake hoses and liquid.

The  main advantages? The brakes are more powerful, resistant, and... Much lighter, with a gain of 7 kilos compared to the " simple " small original brakes which came without a bowl. 7 kilos, that's quite consequent as we are talking of non suspended weight. Added to the gain of 8 kilos due to  the rims, that makes 15 kilos of non suspended weight! 

The original brakes: 

And now, the new ones: 

Before: 

After: 

I took the opportunity to change the plastic air intake on the right rear window for a carbon one, as the one on the left, dedicated to the dynamic admission, was already changed. No gain, other than aesthetics. 

Left: 

Right: 

The third improvement is discreet as I found two carbon air intakes to be installed on the flat bottom, to cool the engine and the gearbox. Because everything you can do to cool the engine and the gearbox is a good idea, especially with the Alpine. I already changed the intercooler and inverted the ventilators. I will end with a new radiator, next year, when its development is over AND if it really brings something...

The fourth improvement: A rear carbon spoiler, to get some aerodynamic support at high speed. There are better solutions, but less discreet, so it was a matter of compromises. And the chromatic combination works and the car is more stable at high speed.

Here on the GT4 and the Rallye, which associates a small and a big one: 

On mine: 

Another change, the air intakes on the front of the car, in front of the wheels. I had them painted in the color of the body, as they looked cheap before. 

Before: 

After: 

Like on the Rallye: 

Another important change, not really for the car, but for me: I removed the resonator and its hose. I don't need a mechanical resonator, I have way enough noise in the car with the engine screaming high and loud and I gained some weight ( 300 to 400 grams ), plus a bit more HP and torque, too.. 

Before: 

After: 

Last but not least, I also found  a new and better fuel pump, with a bigger flow, and more reliable than the original one, from Walbro Motorsport. And, while I was at it, I gave my car a ceramic treatment. 

The Fuel Pump: 

So you got my idea.. The most useful, spectacular and mandatory change / improvement is about the brakes. Now the whole chassis, brakes and engine are much more in adequate condition. It was about time! 

I can now speed without fear. With the exception of wet roads as you'd better be light on the accelerator.  

Next steps:  Most probably a front spoiler, in carbon. Larger tires will come, with new and lighter rims. I am also thinking of a more elaborated suspension, but that will be for later.

Best,

Nicolas 

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