Big Brake Kits

the hammer · July 10, 2010

ok, so i have finally gotten my lift installed on my truck (pics to come when i get a chance to go outside and take some). however, i want to upgrade the front brakes on the rig. i have18" wheels, so i have to stay with the 14" rotor kits. so, question is which one is best bang for the money?

Options:

1. SSBC kit A126-47 This one only extends the OEM caliper out 1/2" to accommodate 14" rotors. Costs around $450.

2. Wilwood 14.25" kit with 6-piston calipers I think this one is AWESOME but the cost is around $1600-$1700 bucks.

3. Baer Alumisport kit 4301038 This kit I can get for around $1000, but the caliper is still only two piston so i don't really know the difference between this Baer kit and the SSBC one in regard to clamping force and performance.

So, what do you think? I need as much input as possible.

Thanks everyone!

[email protected] · July 10, 2010

ok, so i have finally gotten my lift installed on my truck (pics to come when i get a chance to go outside and take some). however, i want to upgrade the front brakes on the rig. i have18" wheels, so i have to stay with the 14" rotor kits. so, question is which one is best bang for the money?

Options:

1. SSBC kit A126-47 This one only extends the OEM caliper out 1/2" to accommodate 14" rotors. Costs around $450.

2. Wilwood 14.25" kit with 6-piston calipers I think this one is AWESOME but the cost is around $1600-$1700 bucks.

3. Baer Alumisport kit 4301038 This kit I can get for around $1000, but the caliper is still only two piston so i don't really know the difference between this Baer kit and the SSBC one in regard to clamping force and performance.

So, what do you think? I need as much input as possible.

Thanks everyone!

Either the wilwood or the ssbc, depending on how much you want to spend, that is. Wilwood would definitely be the best, but the price tag is kinda shocking.

Bish · July 11, 2010

I went with the SSBC rotor and noticed good enough improvement I was ok with the cost. Not like a big brake kit but for $500 a good bump in performance.

L76PWRD · July 11, 2010

I went with the SSBC rotor and noticed good enough improvement I was ok with the cost. Not like a big brake kit but for $500 a good bump in performance.

I think this will be my next mod, the Wilwood brake kit looks great but the price seems too high.

the hammer · July 11, 2010

I went with the SSBC rotor and noticed good enough improvement I was ok with the cost. Not like a big brake kit but for $500 a good bump in performance.

How much improvement did you notice? did you do the caliper relocation kit that has the 14" rotor? I just want to make sure I get better stopping power and if the ssbc kit will get me back to stock stopping distances then that would be worth it.

the hammer · July 11, 2010

After looking closer, I realized the kit from Wilwood does not have boots on the calipers! I don't know if that is good or bad?

Also. i was thinking about the 14" relocation kit from SSBC vs. the Baer 14" new caliper kit. both have 2 piston calipers, and both use 14" rotors. what would be the actual difference? wouldn't they both do pretty much the same thing in regard to clamping force, etc?

I guess if the Baer and SSBC kit do the same thing, there is no point in getting the Baer and I should just go with the SSBC kit?

Any thoughts?

[email protected] · July 11, 2010

After looking closer, I realized the kit from Wilwood does not have boots on the calipers! I don't know if that is good or bad?

Also. i was thinking about the 14" relocation kit from SSBC vs. the Baer 14" new caliper kit. both have 2 piston calipers, and both use 14" rotors. what would be the actual difference? wouldn't they both do pretty much the same thing in regard to clamping force, etc?

I guess if the Baer and SSBC kit do the same thing, there is no point in getting the Baer and I should just go with the SSBC kit?

Any thoughts?

If not wilwood, I'd definitely go with SSBC. The clamping force is determined by how much piston area there is in the caliper, and since the baer and SSBC both have two pistons, which ever one has the bigger pistons has more "clamping" force.

rc51matt · July 13, 2010

i didn't spend that much money and just went with oem sized ebc rotors and hawk ceramic pads. i can't believe how good it stops nowandit's not real touchy. nice and progresive. in a panick stop (aka deer or dump truck sitting in the road around a blind corner) it stopped imediatly. i would have hit both with the factory brakes. when i was bedding them in they locked up once and abs kicked in but only from 60 with my foot on the floor

Harvey Halabookie · July 13, 2010

I had a SSBC kit all around on my '04 Yukon. Was not a big fan at all. The pads and rotors wore out fast (I am in the salt belt) and I did not notice a real increase in stopping power.

I ended up changing to Summit Racing Equipment slotted rotors and EBC Greenstuff pads. I loved this setup, there was a great improvement in braking. I would definitely use these rotors and pads again. Summit also has their own brand of calipers, but not sure for what applications. Just my $0.02.

the hammer · July 13, 2010

so, after much searching and planning, i have stumbled upon an awesome mod that may work for numerous trucks. The Baer kit I was looking at has the calipers made by PBR. I called PBR up and I am purchasing the 2 front aluminum calipers, already powder coated red, with the proper 1/2" extension bracket for $120 each. This means all I have to do is purchase the Baer eradispeed rotors and I will have the same kit Baer sells for around $650 bucks total. The kit 4301038 for my truck sells around $1100 to $1300.

If this works like I think it will, I will post up the part numbers so people can do it for themself. This is gonna be one hella cool mod.

Diesail · July 13, 2010

Save your money, IMO big brakes are a waste of money unless you are running a road course. Have you ever noticed that your factory brakes can trigger the ABS system?

motoxxx · July 14, 2010

Save your money, IMO big brakes are a waste of money unless you are running a road course. Have you ever noticed that your factory brakes can trigger the ABS system?

Speak for yourself, big brakes come in handy for the folks that have oversized wheels and tires...there is a need for added stopping power.

the hammer · July 14, 2010

Yea i don't like the way the brakes feel with the increased tire size and weight, it is an additional 30 lbs per wheel at least. I have the 13" rotors and hawk pads stock, but it still doesn't feel anything like it did stock and I have to press a lot longer and harder than with stock tires and wheels.

ShimanoFisherman · July 14, 2010

so, after much searching and planning, i have stumbled upon an awesome mod that may work for numerous trucks. The Baer kit I was looking at has the calipers made by PBR. I called PBR up and I am purchasing the 2 front aluminum calipers, already powder coated red, with the proper 1/2" extension bracket for $120 each. This means all I have to do is purchase the Baer eradispeed rotors and I will have the same kit Baer sells for around $650 bucks total. The kit 4301038 for my truck sells around $1100 to $1300.

If this works like I think it will, I will post up the part numbers so people can do it for themself. This is gonna be one hella cool mod.

That would be pretty cool. Looking forward to hearing how this works out for you.