Besides the bling, is there really a big differance
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
From: Orange County CA
The biggest limiting factor in braking is tire adhesion. As long as you can lock up your wheels the tires are the limitation. BBKs primarily give you better cooling and therefore on a track will resist fade much better.
Some BBKs claim shorter distances but that's a combination of brake pad material, larger rotors/calipers providing better driver modulation, and front/rear bias.
Some BBKs claim shorter distances but that's a combination of brake pad material, larger rotors/calipers providing better driver modulation, and front/rear bias.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18,048
Likes: 53
From: long Island NY
The fact is the factory brakes on all vettes are great and perfect for daily driving ,and to answer the question on stopping distance its not just the brakes it is tires and suspension that gets a car to stop. Sure if you upgrade to a larger set up it should shorten your distance a bit but at what cost is it worth.Now if the car is going to the track this would be a different story. Change the fluid and a nice set of pads and you would have a better pedal and smooth stopping.
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 44
From: Madison, AL
If you're considering a BBK for performance reasons over the stock calipers, etc. - I recommend doing a few inexpensive mods first. (1) Install stainless steel brake lines; (2) Flush the brake fluid and replace with Super Blue ATE (there are other great options); (3) Install a more aggressive set of brake pads, e.g., Hawk DTC-70, Wilwood H, Carbotech XP12, etc.; and (4) Add DRM cooling ducts for the front calipers.
The traction of your tires are what actually stop the car - and the suspension setup plays a role too. These mods will significantly improve the performance of your OEM brake system. If you exceed these mods, then go for a BBK. Hope this helps.
The traction of your tires are what actually stop the car - and the suspension setup plays a role too. These mods will significantly improve the performance of your OEM brake system. If you exceed these mods, then go for a BBK. Hope this helps.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
If you're considering a BBK for performance reasons over the stock calipers, etc. - I recommend doing a few inexpensive mods first. (1) Install stainless steel brake lines; (2) Flush the brake fluid and replace with Super Blue ATE (there are other great options); (3) Install a more aggressive set of brake pads, e.g., Hawk DTC-70, Wilwood H, Carbotech XP12, etc.; and (4) Add DRM cooling ducts for the front calipers.
The traction of your tires are what actually stop the car - and the suspension setup plays a role too. These mods will significantly improve the performance of your OEM brake system. If you exceed these mods, then go for a BBK. Hope this helps.
The traction of your tires are what actually stop the car - and the suspension setup plays a role too. These mods will significantly improve the performance of your OEM brake system. If you exceed these mods, then go for a BBK. Hope this helps.
great advice!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 18
From: Elko, Nevada
Its definitely NOT worth the money for BBK's for a daily driver. Changing to Wilwoods 6/4 rotors/pads has been the most expensive mod to date on my car.
Now, I do take my car to shows, so a by-product is the bling factor, and I do take my car to the mountains(Dragon) quite regularly and I have tracked my car...but even then I replace my cross-drilled/slotted rotors with my cheap Napa rotors.
I don't have the equipment to provide real world data as far stopping distances from various speeds, but from SOTP, they certainly bring the car to a stop quicker than the stock brakes, or so it feels. I've had Goodyear GS-D3's and BFGoodrich KDW's. Both tires are outstanding, so that helps tremendously.
Now, I do take my car to shows, so a by-product is the bling factor, and I do take my car to the mountains(Dragon) quite regularly and I have tracked my car...but even then I replace my cross-drilled/slotted rotors with my cheap Napa rotors.
I don't have the equipment to provide real world data as far stopping distances from various speeds, but from SOTP, they certainly bring the car to a stop quicker than the stock brakes, or so it feels. I've had Goodyear GS-D3's and BFGoodrich KDW's. Both tires are outstanding, so that helps tremendously.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Somers Point New Jersey
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 20
From: boston mass
I was talking about the stopping distance in feet, compared to the OEM brakes.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,450
Likes: 1,155
From: Dyer, IN
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,337
Likes: 39
From: Birmingham, AL www.hinsonsupercars.com 205-909-9402
Do you road race the car? The larger rotors/calipers will increase the heat capacity which will provide significant brake fade reduction as well as an improved pedal feel and modulation.
With just a change in a more aggressive brake compound, you will shorten your braking distance dramatically.
Seth
With just a change in a more aggressive brake compound, you will shorten your braking distance dramatically.
Seth
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Missouri
St. Jude Donor '09
I switched to Baer 6S and Hawk pads on mine with 14" rotors all around and I can really feel the difference. If I put a little too much pressure to quickly on mine my stomach reminds me that I am not on stock brakes. 