thanks! although, now i'm not sure i need to spend $1+ Gs to reduce a bit of unsprung weight in the brakes dept. lol. perhaps that money will be better served if used towards some lightweight wheels, which seem to have more of a performance benefit ...

 

For those of you that think you wont feel any difference after you shed 40+ pounds off the front wheels your sadly mistaken. There is a huge increase in steering feel and responsiveness which helps in performance across the board.

Its true that most BBKs will ultimately add some rotational mass but not the 4 pot 12.2" kit. The rotors are only slightly larger in diameter and are two piece which reduces weight amongst other benefits.

Its all a moot point though, regardless of what anyone says, many of you will still believe OEM is best and continue putting something off without ever seeing it used in its proper setting.

 

I wouldn't say that the OEM is best, though it does offer best "bang for the buck". In my opinion, to really see considerably improved braking for the kinds of applications that I would want (track apps), I think it would require lots of money for something like a ceramic setup. I don't know anything about this kit which you say is reducing 20 lbs off of each of the front wheels, but unless it is made of exotic materials, I can't see how it would be recommended for track applications. I would think that by shedding 20 lbs of weight/mass, you would also be shedding 20 lbs of heat absorption/dissipation material.

Anyway, if you say it is better, I won't argue, because I have no facts to the contrary. I'll just say that I'm skeptical.

 

Just some insight.

I had the 4pot wilwood setup on my last S. Little to no fade at all on large tracks (gingerman, has long a couple long straights). However a friend with stock callipers/rotors, motul 5.1 fluid and hawk hp+ pads had basically the same outcome.

Someone else in the toronto forum has the same wilwood setup who is an avid track enthusiast said they were a waste of $$. They look good but didn't provide a significant improvement.

 

Wow... I didn't realize the OEM brakes were 40lbs heavier. Or are you also adding any weight savings from lighter wheels?

 

^ Thats the only other advantage... The wilwoods weighed nothing compared to stock. I was surprised when i put stock back on when i got rid of the car.

 

The weight reduction spoken of is on the 4 pot kit. The 4 pot kit is designed as a street and light to medium track applications. Obviously, with any brake set up, correct brake pad compound is the crucial factor.

I totally understand your skepticism. By looking at the numbers alone they do not just add up. But hey, its the truth. Not only with the Wilwood 4 pot kit but also the BrakeMan Pinnacle 4 pot kit.

For the die hard road racers, we developed the 6 piston kit which uses a larger and thicker brake pad and can also accomodate thicker rotors. There is actually a write up in the Under the Hood section on these at the track.

One thing to note is the wear and tear on the components after tracking the car. The OEM rotors and pads will not last you more than a few events where as these last much much longer. As we all know, heat is the enemy and is what destroys brake parts. Dissipate the heat better and you have a much more effecient and longer lasting set up. So if your going through rotors and pads that often, these maybe a better bang for your buck. Besides, its much easier to change pads on these calipers at the track anyhow

 

I agree with most of you. OEM kit is by far really good IMO. A simple brakepad, line, rotor setup will do wonders. I have had 4 and 6piston setups. I can tell you first hand the 4 pot Spoons didnt really impress me but when I went to the Endless 6 pot it was like night and day.

Prime example:

I have shared this with a lot of local members. My wife and I were looking at Honda Civics and Acura Integras last year. Anyway we test drop a civic ex coupe and I was about to stop at a light. I hit the brakes and kept going almost to the middle of the intersection. I turned and said oops to the dealer. I then told him I am not used to this. Then I thought there was something wrong with the brakes. I pressed the pedal and kept going even on this new car. The dealer turned and looked at me and said your comparing your 6 pot caliper with race pads to a 1 pot civic caliper.

Bottom line is I am so used to the 6 pot now that even a new cars brakes felt like they couldnt stop the car. The 6 pots do wonders when over 100mph and need to stop quickly. I also agree with Chris about the tires. Tires do wonders as well. For daily driving these are overkill, I know. I like them, so I bought them.

 

Do the stock brakes really weigh that much, I see numbers being thrown around like shaving 20 lbs off of each wheel by switching to 2 piece rotors and lighter calipers...does the stock stuff even weigh 20 lbs to begin with, I have a hard time believing that much weight can be shaved off. But if these kits are available for $1000 then it might not be a bad investment if you plan on heavy track use.

 

Anyone care to weigh stock calipers and stock rotors?

Then we can have docofmind chime in with the weight of the 12" 4pot calipers.

I would love to see a 20lb weight reduction, but i think its highly improbable.

10-12lbs perhaps.