[Shotimes] Rear Brake bias valve plugs installed - Driving impressions

[Carl Prochilo]

Finally got around to bleeding the brakes today (thanks DonD) and
took the car out for a spin in damp weather.  This is after I got
around to disabling the rear brake proportioning valve in favor of a
pair of brass plugs offered by Josh Teixeira.

Back a few weeks ago I had gotten new shoes for the SHO in the way
of 235/45x17 Nitto 555s on all 4 corners.  With a 300 treadwear
rating, I don't believe these are particularly soft performance
tires.

For other mods, I have ES Poly bushings on tension struts for all
corners, FPS AL SFBs, FPS 96 brake upgrade on the front (includes
slotted rotors), steel braided brake lines all around, 26mm rear
anti-sway bar, poly bushings on the rear end links.  The 92 came
with a 24.5mm front anti-sway bar.  Both front and rear ASBs have
poly bushings as well.  Tokicos (suspect) and Eiback springs
complete the roster.  So the suspension is pretty firm.

As others have stated before me, I really like what the plugs do for
braking overall.  The fronts don't lock up now, and the car feels
like an anchor was thrown out the back and clamps it to a very quick
stop.  I did about 5 repeated hard braking attempts, no brake fade,
and front nose squat is reduced.  I will do some sunny day testing
as soon as the weather clears up, but it does appear that the break
loose point is now in the back, and the ABS takes care of that
nicely.  I attribute the overall stopping power to the tire/wheel
package, but the braking balance is influenced by those plugs, and
by making the rear brakes work harder, I'm confident stopping
distance is reduced further.

Finally, seeing how the bias valves work, I can understand why not
having them will improve stopping power to the rear brakes.  The
valves appear to have some restriction, even in the full open
position.
-- 
Cheers,
Carl Prochilo
1992 Ultra Red Crimson