I've got a chance to get the 13.25" (335MM) front brakes off a wrecked XC90. Mine's got the smaller 12.5" (315MM) rotors.

Does anybody here have experience with both sizes? ...either two XC vehicles with different brakes, or converting to the larger rotors, that can compare the two and tell me whether there was much stopping improvement.

I like the idea but I want to decide whether it is worth the cost and effort. I'll also have to buy the guy's 17" wheels to make this work.

I don't have experience with swapping to a larger diameter rotor..but having Volvo's for 20 plus years...it's more than just swapping out rotors...you'll probably need the calipers as well and then there is the issue regarding the ABS as well.. Best to contact either your local Volvo mech or perhaps the folks at either IPD or Groton FCP could give you more detailed guidance...

Frank

Thanks for your reply. My question was about whether the upgrade to larger brakes (12.5" to 13.25") was a noticeable improvement. I understand what is involved on this particular mod, I just wanted opinions of results so that I could decide whether to spend the time and money to do it.

Since you mentioned ABS as part of the changeover, I can tell that your experience is probably with 240s or early 740s - which are very different than what I am working on.

Still hoping to get an answer to this.

I would throw this question into one of the Swedespeed forums, Dan

re: "...Still hoping to get an answer to this...."

There isn't much activity on this forum.
Just look at the span of time between posts, or how many posts there are in a week, for example. And then compare to a RWD forum such as the 200s. The amount of activity on any of these AWD forums pales in comparison to the RWD forums, particular the 200s and earlier.
I'm a regular on the RWD forums, especially the 200s (of which I have several), and I also keep tabs on the AWD forums, too (first because my daughter has a new one, and second because I'll probably, inevitably but also sadly, have to buy one someday).

I've got some theories about the reasons for this disparity. First, there are still an awful lot of 200s out there; and second, they're easier to work on by a do-it-yourselfer -- hence the need for forums such as these. But third, I think that the owners of such older cars naturally tend to do more of the maintenance and repairs themselves, not only because they can (already said) but because they want to keep such older cars.

My fourth idea, probably the most controversial, is that most owners of the newer AWD cars just have a lot more money in their budgets to spend on car repairs, and so do not care to learn about and do work on their cars. As a result, they don't come to these forums.

It was the same when I briefly was a member of the M-B Club of America. Most of the members who had interests in their maintenance and repair were owners of the older models. If there was any "customizing" of any newer cars, it was simply a matter of someone throwing money at a mechanic to have the work done instead of doing it themselves.

Comments?

Anyway, don't be surprised if you don't find anyone on this forum who has done such work as you're asking -- I think it's sad, but predictable, I'm afraid.

In any case, I think you ought to look into this brake swap/upgrade -- it could be worthwhile. Good luck.