Brake Discussion

[Lance Cheney]

Well, that's one way to look at it, though I suspect the Cobra kit would still be a better option (lighter calipers, slightly larger rotor, and relatively cheap).

I was mostly looking at whether something like the Wilwood FSL setup that I put together would work (13.375 x 1.32" w/4piston calipers). i'm not sure it would be enough brake for that large car. It's almost double the $$$ to go to anything bigger Wilwood-based as you end up with more expensive calipers ($400+ each) to run 14" rotors vs. $160 ea or so for the FSLs, and you eat another $30 each for rotor rings in that size range.

-Lance

 

[alpine67]

So has anyone checked this? I'm interested in seeing if they can be adapted to a Gen II!!

 

[SHO U UP]

So has anyone checked this? I'm interested in seeing if they can be adapted to a Gen II!!

Slap on a set of 13" Cobra brakes on your older Gen and you'll be good to go. Plus you'll have some extra cash on hand.

 

[shaker281]

When it is time to replace pads and rotors, what is the best aftermarket setup to enhance performance without modifications or squealing?

Would performance pack pads be the best pad choice?

What about rotor upgrades? Brand?

 

[mjhpadi]

I went through a bunch of different ones when I had my trucks and from my experience I had the best results with EBC pads and rotors. Although, I think I may try Brembo when it's time to replace...hopefully, that will be a couple of years down the road.

 

[shaker281]

Yes, I've heard good things about EBC and Brembo is always a good choice.
Do either make direct replacements that improve on the OEM rotors and PP pads?

 

[wchain]

We need a big brake kit that doesnt require spacers.

 

[Blackwire1217]

I was just researching a little and came across this press release on Brembo.com. Have any of you heard about this or think it might be a reality?

Brembo’s advanced technology is finding an increasingly appreciative audience among car manufacturers and not just the traditional European performance car makers. On the domestic side of the OE equation, American marques such as Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford and Tesla are among Brembo’s clients at Detroit, each with its own interpretation of high-performance motoring. Specifically, Brembo brakes are fitted to the Buick Regal GS, the Cadillac CTS-V coupe and XTS sedan, all three making their world debuts. In addition, the Chevrolet Camaro SS and Corvette ZR1, the Chrysler 300C and Dodge’s Challenger SRT8
and Viper Laguna Seca showcase Brembo, as well as the 2012 Ford Taurus SHO, Mustang GT 5.0 and Ford Racing Fiesta.

There was more but thought that was the most interesting paragraph.

 

[shaker281]

In the past this was sometimes only applied to the rotors (03/04 Mach 1) or rotors and calipers (GT500). Maybe the performance pack pads are Brembos on the 2010/2011 models right now?

Or maybe the 2012 can be had with an upgraded brake package ala the Mustang GT?

 

[darreli]

Lets bring this thread back into play.....

I would like to upgrade the brakes now...I think a "big brake kit" is out of the question because I'm looking to go to a 19" rim to save on weight. I'm looking at EBC Redstuff pads and I'm trying to decide on the GD rotors or the USR rotors? the USR's are supposed to be quieter which I can appreciate but does anyone have experience with either or both of these? Is the wind noise really that big of a deal on the GD rotors?

 

[thereisnospoon]

Hey, if Brembo made a big brake kit for the Fusion, then they can sure as heck make a brake kit for ours. The Fusion IMO had much better stock stopping without all this fade that I get on the SHO. I think that Wilwood kit is gonna be dynamite. I'm still holding on to pipe dreams that Brembo will release a big brake kit before the 2012 SHO comes out.

On another Subject - darreli, I've got the USR rotors on mine right now, front and rear. I had the 3GD rotors on the Fusion and I've got 3GD's on the wife's MKX.

I know it's not exactly a fair comparison, but as far as rotors go, the USR rotors on the SHO are definitely quieter than the 3GD rotors I had on the Fusion. But, the 3GD rotors in my wife's MKX are quiet as **** and actually are quieter than my USR's. With the Fusion, I did do a lot of heavily spirited driving and I was doing some very aggressive braking on obstacle courses, etc. Still haven't felt comfortable on this with the SHO due to this extremely terrible, inferior, OMG I can't believe they put these brakes on a car that is 365hp braking system.

I had an unfortunate experience with RedStuff pads not bedding properly for some reason with the SHO USR rotors (never had a problem like that before). EBC is sending me a new set free of charge no questions asked. The stopping power was MUCH better from stock and fade was practically gone. The only drawback was that my car sounded like a city bus when I stopped.

The Ford pads that I have on there temporarily just ain't cuttin' the mustard. Don't let them sell you those pieces of............

And, FWIW - I swapped out the rear rotors with USR rotors on the SHO as well. Good luck finding matching EBC pads. Although there is a part number for EBC Redstuff's for the rear and most places (which for me is Amazon or RiteBrakes.com). I ended up going with Centric Extended Life pads on the rear and so far so good. And very quiet.

So, for what I figure, I've got a fairly decent setup to last me a good 40,000 miles...Brembo can take all the time they want........well.......not really but....

 

[SHOZ123]

I would get thew yellow stuffs if you really want better braking.

 

[thereisnospoon]

I would get thew yellow stuffs if you really want better braking.

Agreed. And I used them on my Fusion but only when autocrossing primarily, but IMO not a daily driver pad.

 

[SHOZ123]

I've used them on my old '97 and did not have any issues with it being a daily driver. Currently on my coupe I have the Hawks HPS but do not like them better than the yellowstuffs.

 

[thereisnospoon]

Awesome. They didn't give me more than 15,000 miles on the front in my application and threw a lot of dust (but stopping power was AWESOME). They didn't make them for the rear so that could have contributed I guess. I know that EBC changed some of their formulations recently but I have no recent experience with anything reformulated with exception to those Redstuff pads that squealed like crazy. I don't have a clue if they've even reformed the yellow at all.

 

[thebigjimsho]

Lets bring this thread back into play.....

I would like to upgrade the brakes now...I think a "big brake kit" is out of the question because I'm looking to go to a 19" rim to save on weight. I'm looking at EBC Redstuff pads and I'm trying to decide on the GD rotors or the USR rotors? the USR's are supposed to be quieter which I can appreciate but does anyone have experience with either or both of these? Is the wind noise really that big of a deal on the GD rotors?

Are these big brake kits on 17" rotors? They're not. 19s will fit on any brake kit on earth, just about. What you need to be concerned about is a spoke design and offset that allows the wheel to clear the caliper.

My CTS-V, with rotors pushing 15" and monster 6 piston calipers, can wear 18" rims...

 

[mjhpadi]

Cool website, speaking of brakes, you can pick your car and then see how it looks with different wheels: www.autowaretech3.net

 

[Todd TCE]

Lets bring this thread back into play.....

I would like to upgrade the brakes now...I think a "big brake kit" is out of the question because I'm looking to go to a 19" rim to save on weight.

So what's the problem? A 19" wheel will fit just fine with the 14+" kits.

 

[darreli]

So what's the problem? A 19" wheel will fit just fine with the 14+" kits.

Hmmm...I thought Mike said there wasn't clearance for a smaller wheel. I could be completely mistaken. Anyway, with the wheel I think I'm going to it shouldnt be a problem anyway. I'll look to you soon Todd

 

[thereisnospoon]

Well, a 19" wheel probably has about an 18" diameter for opening for a brake kit. A 14" rotor on a big brake kit will be about 15-16" after caliper mounting. It would be tight but it should work. The issue might be with having to use spacers or aftermarket studs. I think that Wilwood TCE kit requires spacers and/or studs and I'm not really down for that. I think performance friction told me that spacers were required and the Hennessey salesman told me that it wasn't his most favorite upgrade for our car. IMO for $2,300, ANY big kit needs to bolt up to standard studs with a new caliper mount bracket and be done with it.

Maybe I just need to take some vacation time and visit Tempe and have TCE show me that this install would be cleaner than it is in my head.