Big Brake Kit options, cheaper, alternatives, etc.
06-07-2018, 10:32 PM
#1
Staging Lane
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Big Brake Kit options, cheaper, alternatives, etc.
I'm in the auto performance business, and for the life of me in this day and age I can NOT justify the price of any of the Big Brake Kits!!! Come awn, $1800-2000 for Wilwood, StopTech, etc per axle. Baer front and rear kits are over $5000!!
Ok guys, there MUST be some DIY alternatives for this. Also, the rear kits are only like 1/2" bigger I think. When 20" wheels are the minimum these days and 22" and 24" are the norm we gotta come up with some cheaper solutions.
First Thought:
Build a bracket to move your existing caliper outward and source a larger rotor from another application. I know the diameter of the rotor won't match the caliper exactly, but the added leverage of the larger rotor will still gain a positive net improvement. I have this same situation on a rock crawler with mix matched rotor diameter vs caliper and its fine.
Anyone else got some ideas?
My application if for a 2014 Sierra, Lowered, AWD, Whipple 2900
Ok guys, there MUST be some DIY alternatives for this. Also, the rear kits are only like 1/2" bigger I think. When 20" wheels are the minimum these days and 22" and 24" are the norm we gotta come up with some cheaper solutions.
First Thought:
Build a bracket to move your existing caliper outward and source a larger rotor from another application. I know the diameter of the rotor won't match the caliper exactly, but the added leverage of the larger rotor will still gain a positive net improvement. I have this same situation on a rock crawler with mix matched rotor diameter vs caliper and its fine.
Anyone else got some ideas?
My application if for a 2014 Sierra, Lowered, AWD, Whipple 2900
06-07-2018, 11:00 PM
#2
The problem with the existing caliper is the surface area.
There was guy making a bracket and using some of the calipers of the Z06 and the CTSV.
The trouble is getting the cost down when paying a 3rd part to machine them and getting parts (rotors and calipers) at a reasonable price. Usually won't happen unless your buying in bulk.
I am still working on sway bar kits 2 years later... new vendor looks promising but I am still 2 years later trying to bring a product back at a reasonable price.
There was guy making a bracket and using some of the calipers of the Z06 and the CTSV.
The trouble is getting the cost down when paying a 3rd part to machine them and getting parts (rotors and calipers) at a reasonable price. Usually won't happen unless your buying in bulk.
I am still working on sway bar kits 2 years later... new vendor looks promising but I am still 2 years later trying to bring a product back at a reasonable price.
06-07-2018, 11:14 PM
#3
Staging Lane
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The bracket doesn't look that complicated actually. It could even be fabricated using a jig. CNC is coming down in cost everyday as well as quantities. Hell, Even if you could make a kit that was 1/2 price ($1000) axle, you'd still have a pretty healthy budget for machining 2 brackets if you're using existing calipers and sourcing off the shelf rotors.
06-08-2018, 08:31 AM
#4
Think of how mountain bikes switched from brakes on the rim to disc brakes, the disc brakes are way closer to the center and it has no effect on stoppig power.
Keep in mind you can see pretty big gains from just simply keeping the same sizes and getting good rotors, good pads, and good fluid that won’t boil.
06-08-2018, 09:01 AM
#5
I don't see that the existing caliper surface area is that big a deal. By simply enlarging the rotor (use existing caliper) the net stopping force is increased! It may not be equal to a 6 piston, but more than anything I'm just looking to fill up some of the "empty" space when using a 22" wheel. Truck actually stops fine as is.
The bracket doesn't look that complicated actually. It could even be fabricated using a jig. CNC is coming down in cost everyday as well as quantities. Hell, Even if you could make a kit that was 1/2 price ($1000) axle, you'd still have a pretty healthy budget for machining 2 brackets if you're using existing calipers and sourcing off the shelf rotors.
The bracket doesn't look that complicated actually. It could even be fabricated using a jig. CNC is coming down in cost everyday as well as quantities. Hell, Even if you could make a kit that was 1/2 price ($1000) axle, you'd still have a pretty healthy budget for machining 2 brackets if you're using existing calipers and sourcing off the shelf rotors.
https://baer.com/EradiSpeed-Rotors-GMT900-SUV/
06-08-2018, 09:48 AM
#6
Staging Lane
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Like that?:
https://baer.com/EradiSpeed-Rotors-GMT900-SUV/
https://baer.com/EradiSpeed-Rotors-GMT900-SUV/
06-08-2018, 09:55 AM
#7
Staging Lane
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Agreed! But as mentioned my main purpose is primarily to just fill up the empty space when using a 22" wheel and the truck stops fine as is. I'm not road coursing it.
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06-08-2018, 10:42 AM
#8
Launching!
I think I pieced together my 4 corner c6 zo6/Baer/ebc pads/stainless lines kit for around $1800 with some new and some used parts. It took a few months waiting for good deals on forums to pop up. Amazon had the best price on calipers. This setup stops my heavy AWD truck very well. I love the braking power it produces. Only thing I don't like is that a portion of the front pads don't make contact with the rotor using the "Rudy" caliper brackets.
06-08-2018, 10:49 AM
#9
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I think I pieced together my 4 corner c6 zo6/Baer/ebc pads/stainless lines kit for around $1800 with some new and some used parts. It took a few months waiting for good deals on forums to pop up. Amazon had the best price on calipers. This setup stops my heavy AWD truck very well. I love the braking power it produces.
My rock crawler has same deal with the rotor diameter doesn't match the Wilwood caliper correctly. The rotor actually hit (and self clearanced) the caliper during the first few miles of operation. But its what everyone does and it works fine.
06-08-2018, 04:29 PM
#10
Launching!
I've heard of using the C6 rotors on the older trucks, but do they still work on the newer truck? I thought all the vet stuff was 5 lug? do you just re-drill to 6 lug? I have done that before on other projects, not a problem.
My rock crawler has same deal with the rotor diameter doesn't match the Wilwood caliper correctly. The rotor actually hit (and self clearanced) the caliper during the first few miles of operation. But its what everyone does and it works fine.
My rock crawler has same deal with the rotor diameter doesn't match the Wilwood caliper correctly. The rotor actually hit (and self clearanced) the caliper during the first few miles of operation. But its what everyone does and it works fine.