E46 330 brake swap done

[Dredder]

Check it out

shot of cylinder head cover with garbage bag while awaiting for valve cover to get prepped and ready for install. Garbage bag is for safety precaution while the head is naked. I dont want foreign debries to get into my combustion chamber or inside the engine

[Mendi3]

Originally Posted by Dredder

I wanted to have the slotted with cross drilled but i didnt think spending on the rotors were worth it. So i ended up getting just the OEM E46 rotors

I like the way yours turn out. What type of paint did you use. Is that just caliper paint?


I love the performance how these E46 setup peforms. Beats buying a brembo big brake setup worth $1k+


next upgrade worth mentioning:
Ceramic coating Valve cover (currently being performed)

Ligth flywheel/clutch combo (funds limited $450 so far for supply)

I had mine powder coated. They turned out nice. Yes you are right; I think I spend less than a $1K with stainless steel brake lines. The performance is absolutely incredible.

How much for the ceramic coat for the valve cover? I had mine powder coated as well. It turned out nice as well.

Light flywheel/clutch combo is totally worth it. You will not be disappointed.

[Dredder]

probably around $15 bucks

[Mendi3]

Originally Posted by Dredder

probably around $15 bucks

Wow, that's not bad at all. Share some pictures when you get it done.

[Blackie]

That's hot! Is the E46 M calipers and carriers a direct bolt-on? Will a 17" wheel work with these also?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Mendi3

{snipped excessive quote}

Nice upgrade. I did mine as follows:

Front: M3 E46 Front Calipers (5K miles) and carriers.
New Brembo M3 E46 crossed drilled rotors.
New Mintex CTech brake pads.
New brake sensors.

Rear: New E36 (318ti) Brembo crossed drilled rotors
New Mintex CTech brake pads.
New brake sensors.

Ate brake fluid (Super Blue Racing)

Check it out!

[Mendi3]

Originally Posted by Blackie

That's hot! Is the E46 M calipers and carriers a direct bolt-on? Will a 17" wheel work with these also?

Thanks!

Thanks. Yes they are a direct bolt-on. Not sure if a 17" wheel will work. I'm running 18".

[Dredder]

I didnt know E46 M3 were a direct bolton. I thought it requires the spindle upgrade just like the E36 M3.

[KIRASIR]

The calipers in the pictures look like regular e46 330 calipers. e46 M3 ones have a distinctive ///M sign.

Originally Posted by Dredder

I didnt know E46 M3 were a direct bolton. I thought it requires the spindle upgrade just like the E36 M3.

[Mendi3]

Originally Posted by Dredder

I didnt know E46 M3 were a direct bolton. I thought it requires the spindle upgrade just like the E36 M3.

OK, I checked with my mechanic and initially I wanted to have the M3 front brakes installed. However, yes you do need to upgrade the spindles as well in order to be able to do the M3 upgrade. My mechanic was not able to find the spindles so he went for the E46 330 upgrade.

The E46 330 is a direct bolt on but you have to have the carriers as well.
Sorry for the confusion.

[Mendi3]

OK. so here is the situation. I did the brake upgrade about 1,500 miles ago. At first the brakes were a little mushy so I waited for the brake pads and rotors to settle. I have done the brake bleeding a couple of times already and the mushiness went away. However I noticed that the brake pedal travels a bit more than I think it should. If I pump it once the brake pedal goes up right away.

What do you guys think? My suspicion is that I need to change the master cylinder. If I do, would an E46 330 master cylinder fit? Or should I go with an E36 325/328 master cylinder?

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by Mendi3

OK. so here is the situation. I did the brake upgrade about 1,500 miles ago. At first the brakes were a little mushy so I waited for the brake pads and rotors to settle. I have done the brake bleeding a couple of times already and the mushiness went away. However I noticed that the brake pedal travels a bit more than I think it should. If I pump it once the brake pedal goes up right away.

What do you guys think? My suspicion is that I need to change the master cylinder. If I do, would an E46 330 master cylinder fit? Or should I go with an E36 325/328 master cylinder?

It's my understanding that the 330 front brake calipers use a larger diameter piston vs. "normal" e36s'. So, the 330 brakes screw with the hydraulic ratios (or whatever you call it) thus requiring more pedal travel.

[Mendi3]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

It's my understanding that the 330 front brake calipers use a larger diameter piston vs. "normal" e36s'. So, the 330 brakes screw with the hydraulic ratios (or whatever you call it) thus requiring more pedal travel.

It makes sense. So I assume that changing the master cylinder to an e46 master cylinder, it could solve the problem.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

[AlaskaBlue]

I have the 330 brake upgrade and my pedal has been as firm or more firm than before I got the upgrade. Good luck with the fix.

[cali-ti]

Originally Posted by AlaskaBlue

I have the 330 brake upgrade and my pedal has been as firm or more firm than before I got the upgrade. Good luck with the fix.

did you stick with stock brake lines or switch to stainless?

[Mendi3]

Originally Posted by AlaskaBlue

I have the 330 brake upgrade and my pedal has been as firm or more firm than before I got the upgrade. Good luck with the fix.

This is the way should be. I'm almost positive my master cylinder is going bad. Thanks.