I'm thinking it's getting time to me to consider doing the brakes.. Anyone have suggestions on parts? Pads, new rotors, etc..

The stock brake system works great but the rotors suck IMO.. warp too easily.

Thoughts?

-Doug

 

The 98 & up Camaros and Firebirds are suffering from the exact same rotor warping problem. We have been selling them KVR heavy duty rotor blanks as replacements which have an excellent reputation. If you are not doing any road racing, you could also go with KVR cross drilled rotors which will resist warpage even better and give you some better wet braking performance.

 

Is it not good to use Cross drilled rotors if you roadrace? :eek: What about auto-x? I will need a change soon and I am beginning to do both. Advice anyone?


[Modified by ace, 12:48 PM 11/7/2001]

 

Here's my recommendation for a basic brake upgrade.

Eradispeed Rotors
Hawk Pads
Stainless Steel brake lines
Motul 600 brake fluid
Speed bleeders

For the cost (about $1000) you can't beat this setup. Great on the street and for auto-x, and road racing.

 

Based on various threads and personal experience, the 3 best systems seem to be:

DiLusi (Dave DiLusi)
LG Motorsports (Lou Gigliotti)
Mov'it (Steve D'Geralamo)

I've got the Porsche/Brembo GT3 twin turbo 'Big Red' system from Mov'it imported and distributed by the Ultimate Garage so my comments are from my experience with that system.

I own a 98 Camaro SS, heavily modified by DRM. This April I purchased and installed the Porsche/Brembo GT3 'Big Red' front brake system from Mov'it, a German company who adapts the Porsche GT2 & GT3 brake systems to various non-Porsche vehicles.

The GT3 system consists of Porsche 12.7 in. (322mm) x 1.24 in (32mm)cross-drilled rotors (holes are cast during manufacture, not drilled) and the Brembo 4-piston 'Big Red' GT3 caliper, Fischer stainless steel lines and Porsche (Pagid) brake pads. Before installation I had the rotors cro-treated by Performance Cryogenics in Cleveland, GA.

Previously I'd had the stock system, then a Wilwood Superlite 4-piston system w/ 12.9 x 1.25 in rotors.

The Porsche rotors now have 15,000 miles on them including 15 open track days and the 2001 One Lap of America. Rotors are just beginning to show stress cracks around about 1/4 of the holes. I've gone through 2 sets of pads during that time. The system has performed flawlessly, no warpage, no vibration, nothing but a rock hard pedal every turn of every lap, day after day. There is virtually no pad taper in either direction even when the pads are worn down to the backing plates.

Pad change takes 15 minutes including jacking the car and the removal and replacement of the wheel. System uses a quick release spring which can be done with a simple pliers.

Rotors have over 300 sq in of swept area (after deduction of the holes) and the pad is almost 12 sq in.

System is expensive, but worth every penny. IMHO, if you road race, brakes are not a place to scrimp.

Good luck!

 

I have very good experiences with the AP racing package from DRM but be aware of that you will need to swap the front wheels to 18 inch size. I've put about 7000 roadracing miles on my brake system so far with great success. Talk to Peter Sikkila at DRM 763-477-9272 or visit their website http://www.dougrippie.com This is the components I have in my car:

Front 6-piston AP racing calipers
Front 14 inch racing rotors
DRM custom front brake cooling ducts
Rear 4-piston AP calipers
Rear 13 inch racing rotors
DRM Custom master cylinder
Adjustable rear brake bias control
Braided stainless steel lines throughout
Performance Friction brake pads
Castrol SRF High temp brake fluid

Forum member Mell has a similar AP Racing package from Mallet described on his website http://tradezone.com/vette/apbrakes.html Mells's package uses a little smaller front rotor.

Also remember that the tire is a VERY important part of the brakesystem. You have no use of a 'big-brake' system if you do not use good tires.

Good luck !


[Modified by seanr, 11:11 PM 11/7/2001]

 

Cross drilled rotors can crack under the intense heat caused by road racing. On the street or for auto-x, you should not experience any problems.

The KVR's are just a reasonably priced OEM replacement. If you want to do some road racing, you should upgrade to a larger rotor and performance caliper as other forum members have mentioned.

 

Any rotors will warp if you don't *gradually* bring them up to temps. I am not in any way suggesting that you haven't been kind to your rotors, but keep that in mind.

 

They crack at the holes. As Baer will tell you, the holes are primarily for appearance. They look cool, nothing more.

 

The gotcha with a larger pad area is that it decreases the loading per square inch on the pad for a given amount of hydraulic pressure. That is less of an issue if you increase the diameter of the disk.

 

The holes do not do much for dry braking but they DO improve wet braking. Water does not compress therfore you get no braking until the rotors are cleared of water. The holes assist the removal of the water. Almost all sport motorcycles have cross drilled rotors for this reason.

 

I'm real happy with my poor boys brakes.

GM Performance rotors
Wagner pads front and rear.

They work great! :smash:

 

I agree w/ Seanr that the DRM package is first rate. I know the DRM people well and have been extremely happy with their work, since they prepped my car originally. Peter Sikkila is easy to work with and very well informed.

I didn't want to go to 18 inch wheels since I already had 8 17 in rims and 16 tires, so I stayed with a package that fit my inventory.

What comes through in this thread is that the stock setup will probably not suffice if you start to more frequently track your car and I agree 100% with that sentiment.

 

I guess I should have been more clear.. I'm really only interested in putting on a better quality street system. I'm not planning on road racing, although maybe a little autocross in the future.

I'm thinking Baer Eradispeed's with Hawk Street pads right now. Might change out the brake lines as well.

Thanks as always..

-doug

 

If you are going to do that much I would suggest you add the Goodridge SS brake lines and Super Blue fluid. It's only about another $120.00 and you will have increased your response and effectiveness qiuite a bit. Both items are available at Los Angeles Performance Division on the forum.