BBK - Boy! What did I miss for a year???

cab83_750

I picked-up my car last Friday in the a.m. to test out my new front big brake kit. I have had them for over 300+ miles now.

Some specifications/details I could share now:

6 pistons
each side weight reduction = 13 pounds (26 pounds total for both rt and left sides!!!!!)


My impressions:

1. My utmost impression: WOW!!! I guess I just wasted one year worth of enjoyment without these BBK!!!!

2. As soon as I pulled out of the manufacturer's lot, I could immediately tell the 'night-and-day' difference between my stock and these brakes. Let me attempt to describe:

With the factory brakes, they were more (or too much) of 'powered brakes;' Relative to the foot/pedal pressure, there was way too much 'unproportional' pressure applied to the brake calipers/rotors (possibly the best phrase here is the factory brakes "bites/brakes too little when you initially press on the brake pedal, and subsequently brakes way way too-much-too late"). I can fully understand that with much attention and effort, one can be happy with the factory brakes. However, in my opinion, it was meant for a 'Lexus', not on a sports car. In case you are wondering why I compared it to a Lexus? It is because I drove a Lexus.

With the new BBK, there no longer exists what I perceived as brake-pedal play/lag: when I press on the pedal, I can immediately feel the proportional pressure being applied to the wheels; there is no more 'lag time' between your foot and the car slowing down/stopping!

Going home from Wilwood, my son in his 911, and I in my 370Z took the canyon roads (if you are familiar with the areas: Decker Canyon Rd, Mulholland Road/Kanan Road, etc.), and this is where the BBK stood out. Braking was more confidence-inspiring; safer, quicker, shorter. With the BBK, the car now drives, brakes and performs like what a sports car should I do realize that my pads have not been bedded-in so perhaps I can do a comparo in a few few weeks.

I have hit rainy days, and so far NOT RUST ON MY ROTORS/HATS!!!! I think someone posted an issue with rust on the factory units; perhaps, he should buy these rotors.

Issues? So far none. No squeeks, no rattles, nada.

My son supposedly will be contacting his friends who works at R&T (or Car and Driver). We'll see if we can track this baby soon as I can do a full test.


Disclaimer:
I am not advertising this product to sell. Rather, I am posting my impressions, both pluses and minuses. Hey, I spent some $$ and time; so I might as well post to justify my expenses, right?

Enjoy the photos. Sorry, I dont have side-by-side pictures for better visuals. I will be out of town for 1.5 weeks starting Friday night, so perhaps when I get back, I could provide if you need them. Last picture was stock and it is meant for comparo.

Attached Images

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	backside.jpg (562.4 KB, 43 views)
	slots.jpg (495.2 KB, 33 views)
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	left front.jpg (795.8 KB, 98 views)
	front hats.jpg (533.7 KB, 34 views)
	stock.jpg (476.4 KB, 64 views)

cab83_750

Disclaimer.

I work for the Cable/Film Industry and has no affiliation with Wilwood. I did not get paid to post. My sleeping pills are just not working tonight.

Purchase/use your Wilwood, A/P, Brembo, Nissan-factoryetc. at your own discretion, unique/personal taste, use, budget and risk.


It is super late. So I would probably post more when I get the chance.

Anyone local, you may want to have a tour of Wilwood (if you get lucky!!!!) . I had the chance to have tour of the factory and, man, it was huge. You want rotors? Buy their rotors for the military humvee! Those suckers are huge. And don't forget to see the big big room where they 'prebed pads' for the Nascar teams; I was blown away everytime I see that rotor turn lava-fire-yellow every few seconds. I believe Wilwood has its roots in Nascar and a big player in the muscle car industry.

cab83_750

Six pots:

Attached Images

six pots.jpg (538.8 KB, 45 views)

Minicobra1

Those look great Wilwood makes a great product.

I'm curious as to how these would stack up against the sport brakes, I see in the photo that you has the stock (non sport) calipers.
Would be great if you could get the magazine to test the stopping performance.

I'm interested in a BBK, but the factory Sport package brakes, with SS lines, race fluid, and upgraded pads are pretty great performers. a lot of that spongy feeling comes from pads and stock rubber brake lines.

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kannibul

Curious, what did it run you?

PM me if you're not comfortable posting it - I'm curious!

cab83_750

From reading threads and for sale items, it was my impression that the factory sports brakes were not really up to the task; thus sold soon after.

As for the brake lines, new rubber lines should perform as well as the stainless lines. After many years then they can swell atbwhich time they should be replaced preferably with SS lines.

spearfish25

Track pads and race fluid make the sport Akebonos superstars. I love my brakes since the change. Before the swap, my wife's Altima had more bite than my stock sport brakes and pads.

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cab83_750

Talking about pads, I have my part number for "track purposes.". It is supposed to take no more than 5 minutes to switch. Yeah!!!!!

ChrisSlicks

Well yeah, once you get the wheel off. Getting the car jacked up and the wheels off takes more time than the actual pad swap.

Did you do front calipers only?

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cab83_750

Unfortunately, yes just the fronts! I am reserving my budget for KW coilovers with complete front and rear kit, spacers, corner balancing, and alignment.

I figured fronts would be more than enough for now until I get the ride height and suspension that I am used to.

gpa7pk

Would you share what brands and model numbers you use?

Was there ever a clear concensus on what the best all around brake pad for the sport set-up is (HPDE and street)?

off thread ---- is the 35PSI good for the track or should the fronts carry a more pressure?

I'm doing my first and certainly not my last NASA event this weekend at TWS and I am so looking forward to this.

ChrisSlicks

I would start at 36 front, 34 rear as the pressure will come up with tire temperature. Check your pressures at the end of the session to see how much they came up.

Most people are using the Carbotech XP10 front and XP8 rear for track. It's easy to switch pads back and forth on the sport calipers, just do it in your garage the day before.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms