Nathan

Ah, I'm glad of that....was getting worried there... Theres many pads that aren't as well, evident by the amount of ones that catch fire at track days... Your original quote about non-drilled discs giving more friction would, to some people, assume that they would therefore get better braking than those without but that is not the case and depends entirely on whether the brake set in question is reaching damaging temps, which on the car in question (Mk4) is fairly common. Having drilled discs simply means that the goalposts are moved further up the temperature scale which when combined with a bigger disc (more surface area) creates a better brake. Like you say, I think we both know where we're coming from but I prefer to be more specific with any info I give. Some of the quotes and sweeping statements on this thread must be a bit confusing to some. Cheers, Nathan TDI PLC

Nick, I'm not 100% but I'm pretty sure that the offset on the Blitz wheels, that fits over all the brake kits is 45mm. Edited to say that the only reason I'm not sure on the offset is because I've never ordered them by it. We only ever ask our agent in Japan for 'the wheels that fit over the Brembo and AP kit' and he simply supplies ones that fit. Never looked into it any further than that. I'm really not going to comment too much on Christian Dorans wheel and brake setup. It was all out of our hands and my knowledge on it is therefore pretty vague. Regards, Nathan.

If I am understanding the above correctly, you are saying that braking efficiency, up until the point of the metal warping, continually increases.....?! Most pads will fail well before the disc becomes warped or damaged, let alone become more effective... Potentially more friction, yes, but only if it's not getting too hot...a non-drilled disc will give far less friction co-efficient if it's gassing the pads up... Regards, Nathan TDI PLC

Peter, not at all, I just kinda felt that from other posts. Just makes me being here a bit of a waste of time sometimes. Regards, Nathan TDI PLC

No, thats the rear. The car used 19's on the back on 18's on the front. Trust me, Stewarts old car used Z1 18's on the AP kit. I'm not in the habit of lying. As for Christians car, I'm sure he will explain what happened if he sees this thread. If not, I've now remembered who was involved and maybe they will pop their head up and tell us all. Regards, Nathan TDI PLC

Right, some points need to be cleared up here: No, it doesn't work like that. Yes, holes or grooves will reduce surface area but that does not mean they will be less effective. It all depends how much heat is being generated. It's not really a good example. A bike weighs significantly less than a Supra. Plus the discs are stuck directly in a 150mph+ airsteam. Plus bike brakes are massive relative to the weight of the bike. It's about as far removed from a Supra setup as you can get. A sweeping statement! Someone better tell Brembo they are doing it all wrong.... I think theres confussion here that has come about from a deviation of the original question ie what is better, holes or grooves. Now we seem to have examples being given that are miles apart from each other. I agree, cross-drilling a stock Supra disc will do nothing except look nicer (to some) and lead to premature wear and/or cracks. That doesn't mean a 'proper' cross drilled disc such as a Brembo is an inferior product. Many of the replies being given here seem to be missing the point. ScoobyJawa: good post. Regards, Nathan TDI PLC

It's the same old choice: Longevity or performance? The Brembo 356mm kit for the Supra is by far the best front brake solution I have yet come accross. Yes, the discs do crack around the drillings after some time, but by Toutatis do they stop. And then some. In contrast, I have had experience of various AP kits which use grooves only and have come accross numerous complaints of warpage. Discs getting too hot maybe? At least the choice is there. Regards, Nathan TDI PLC

Glad it wasn't done here..... In fact, I'm not too sure where it WAS done.... Shame because Phil always maintained he prefered the Brembos anyway, and they were actually the smaller 332mm kit as that was all that was available back then. Regards, Nathan TDI PLC

Sorry Thor, my mistake. You are right, I've even seen some 19" that won't fit under the UK brakes either, let alone AP or Brembo! The Blitz Z3 wheels fit too, if in the correct offset. Matt: Thats terrible mate. Feel really sorry for you. I must admit I've not had that yet but like you say theres every possiblilty and the odds are always stacked against the trader in a court. Is the recorded phone conversation admissable in court then? Interesting.. Cheers, Nathan TDI PLC

Stuarts car had the right wheels to start with, thats why. See http://www.astra-gte-mki.co.uk/sb_supra.asp Regards, Nathan TDI PLC

Nick, I'm with CW on this. I'm pretty sure that shaving the caliper isn't really viable, and like he also says isn't really an option that I would want to go near anyway. The wheels are wrong, plain and simple. If you asked for the larger offset then it matters not one jot how long it has been since they were supplied. They were supplied incorrectly and by law you are entitled to the correct part or your money back. Did you pay on a card? If so, ring them up and cancel the payment. Chargebacks to vendors are rather unpleasant and may make them change their mind on their special 'time limit' policy. Disgusting tactics on the vendor (whoever it is) if you ask me. Regards, Nathan TDI PLC

In contrast, I'm amazed at what people will believe.... It may well be, but we don't know that for sure. It certainly won't behave like an engine does though. OK, so what was the particle size of this 'dirt'? Would it damage the engine or would it largely pass straight through without causing a problem? If it was a problem, how long would it take to manifest itself? Would it be like throwing a bag of sand into the inlet or would it take 10 years before engine wear was noticed? I would personally say that you are being very sceptical. Thats not a problem, and I'm not even going to think about trying to change that. Indeed, we would all be brainwashed were we not, but in terms of weighing up the pros and cons of a known product I think we all need to base our conclusions on what we know. Your dis-trust with HKS extends to using the crisp packet analogy but IMO I trust HKS enough for them not to put their name to anything that is garbage. I don't think they would risk their reputation by supplying an extremely poor product/s. I can understand you views as a consumer, but even if I wasn't aware of HKS's pedigree, R&D budgets or having been well around their components for some 4 years I still wouldn't base my feelings of their components on any test that is clearly not controlled. I'm as interested as anyone else when it comes to weighing up the power gain V wear equation, which is, after all, what it all comes down to, but I'm an extremely logical person and I simply can't accept someone not giving me controlled data. You just said it yourself....'more scientific' and 'real data'...... [maybe HKS should do this to get even more sales of their "see through" filter technology? Maybe HKS don't need to. Besides, any data that HKS offered would probably be seen as biased by those that are sceptical enough to put their faith in the hoover test anyway. There always comes a point when I bow down from defending HKS and I feel I'm getting close to it on this thread now. Only the consumer can decide who to trust with parts, just as they would with tuners. Thats why my 'pays yer money' quote is so fitting. No one is telling anyone what parts to buy. Personally I don't live my life by hearsay, theory and inconsistancy. I work by facts, pedigrees and experience, and even if the filtration on HKS filters is poor compared to the others, if it only becomes a problem at 40K+ mileages I probably wouldn't give a stuff anyway. The hoover test says that the HKS filters are bad. I know of cars fitted with them that are still going strong which were done here 10 years ago. Hmm....which way do I turn? I have no doubt that the HKS filters, like most aftermarket filters, will have a reduction in filtration ability over a new, standard OE air filter. However, as soon as you start tuning a car you are reducing it's life anyway so should we be sceptical of running increased boost? That will significantly reduce an engines life, and especially the life of Jap ceramic turbos..... Opinions are great ;-) Cheers, Nathan TDI PLC

HKS filter elements have not changed for around 8 years to my knowledge. Even then, they only changed in shape rather than filtration material/construction. HKS are aware of the test in question and simply look upon it with great mirth. They will listen to any test data found using controlled methods but a household vacuum cleaner and a pile of unknown dust particles does not really make for conclusive evidence in their opinion. HKS Powerflows still continue to outsell any other Japanese aftermarket filter kit by a large margin. You pays yer money... Cheers Nathan TDI PLC

I don't think any of the replies I have seen here (including CW's) are what the original poster refers too. I believe I have seen the 'wobbly nuts' that Brian is referring too, and they have nothing to do with centering the wheel, using spacers, or bolt-on spacers with a different PCD. They are used when say you have a wheel which is close to the original PCD but not close enough. So, if the Supra is 114.3mm, you can use say a wheel that has 115 or 116mm PCD. The wheel nut has a cone which can move separately to the actual thread. Thus, the cone sits squarely in the wheel, whilst the stud and nut is slightly offset. I am not experienced enough with wheels to say if it is safe or not. For sure, I would prefer to use a wheel with the proper offset in the first place (which as we know are available) and save the 'wobbly nut' method as a last resort if there are no other options. That said, I see no reason why it shouldn't be perfectly safe. Ibrah? Nathan TDI PLC

Hi, If you wanted a more 'complete' kit then you can use the HKS Racing Suction Kit on the UK spec too. It requires a little modification to the pipe but it's not exactly a drama. Just another option. Cheers, Nathan TDI PLC

Unless you have one of our carbon fibre airboxes..;-) Seriously, I have no idea why you are having problems with the HKS kit. I can only assume that it is an indirect cause. I've not yet had any problems with fitting them, and I would think we've done around 25 or 30. One of the more well known Supra guys (Mike Lavery) has had his on for a couple of years now. No problem whatsoever. Regards, Nathan TDI PLC

Doh! Yep, need to get that map changed. As you've probably guessed though, River Road is in the same place but the flyover has now turned into an underpass... I think the HKS Priest is no longer available. Could check on Tuesday of you were really interested. More money though... Cheers, Nathan TDIPLC

You're bl**dy lucky I saw this post.....I only logged on by chance as I was going to be off until Tuesday. You're better off mailing me direct if you are after something than post it here as I dont read all the threads anyway. Anyway, I only have Dragers here as they are far more popular than Hipers and I would say we sell 10 Dragers to every Hiper. Absolutely nothing I have come accross sounds as nice as a Drager on a Soop IMO. I will be here until 5pm and you are welcome to have a good nose around one if you want. Cheers, Nathan TDIPLC

No no no no no no NO!!!! NO MORE RICE! Bonnet pins? On a Supra? With MY reputation? Sorry, Easter hols an all. Hope everyone has a good one! Nathan TDI PLC

A problem aired is a problem shared..... Glad it worked. Please, don't thank me Nathan TDI PLC

You animal I just can't help wincing (not to be mistaken for mincing) when I see people drop their bonnets to shut them. I'll never do it again after I did it with my Golf bonnet and put a nice little crease in it just where the catch was underneath. Just a firm little push once slotted in is all it takes... Nathan TDI PLC

If the catches are working properly (remember theres two of them) then theres no way the bonnet will lift. To say the stock bonnet catch system is 'sound' would be an understatement. They are the sort of things that either work, or they don't. Not quite sure what can be happening here because if they were not working properly the bonnet would be lifted at a standstill. It may just be that one catch is holding the bonnet down enough to not notice normally but is allowing lift at speed... Whenever I close a Mk4 bonnet I ALWAYS push down on both the front corners to make sure both have caught. Theres a nice satisfying 'click' when they do. Cheers Nathan TDI PLC

Hi Asim, No, we do not have APEXI equivalents simply because we do not need to. The only APEXI part we keep is the AVC-R and even then I try not to sell them because I'm not happy with the solonoids. Still, if people want them knowing my opinion thats up to them. As for the impact of the HKS filter on the airflow meter, there is none. Who doesn't seem to answer?! Theres certainly no history of MK4 AFM's going dodgy from ANY aftermarket filter AFAIK. I thought I would have heard of it if there was... Regards, Nathan TDI PLC

I can offer you an HKS Hiper Muffler and optional HKS (De-cat)frontpipe if you want, as well as an HKS induction kit. Fitted loads of them and not one complaint. MAny people wil lsay that the induction kit will give a real nice induction noise if nothing else, and thats enough for some people. The above will certainly give more power than stock, not sure how it would compare to your 5 Zigen but I'll doubt it's any worse than one with a dirty great 'ole in it.. Cheers, Nathan TDI PLC

Personally I wouldn't confuse the issue by going up there armed with a list of differences that you get from this BBS. If they are a Toyota dealer they will have all the data needed to order and fit parts for your car. Tell them that it helps by looking at the chassis and vehicle code, after which they can use the spherical things in the front of their heads to find any parts required just as they would if it was a UK spec. Cheers Nathan TDI PLC