I had a few good reasons to replace my stock :U brake system. #1 The Autobahn is not the place to be if your brakes aren't good and #2 I wanted my car to be able to stand up to track abuse. The big brake kits would be nice, but just are not in the budget now, so I did a little research and decided that the StopFORCE front rotors, stock rear rotors with Hawk HPS pads would probably be the best bet. I was only looking for a performance upgrade and donÂ’t really care how they work as long as they work. Eventually, I’ll put matching drilled rotors on the back, but it really doesn’t look bad the way it is.

I started installing them last night and finished up this morning. I only had a couple of minor problems installing them; getting 1 of the old rotors off and with a quick call to Aaron at StopFORCE and some WD40, that was taken care of. Also, after everything was put back together and I was taking it out to break in the new pads and rotors I got a low break fluid, service traction control and service active handling warnings on the DIC, and every time I hit the gas or break the Parking break light on the instrument panel came on. :confused: :confused: . When I got back home I noticed break fluid leaking from one of the calipers, so I took the wheel back off disconnected the break line, cleaned it and bolted it back cleared the warnings from the DIC and everything was fine.

I hesitated to get the Hawk pad because so many people have complained about the noise, but it wasn’t a problem. It seems like the car stops much faster now, but I have no way of actually measuring that other than it was easier to get the ABS to engage. Overall this was a great upgrade and assuming that they are as durable as I have heard, this system will be worth its weight in gold.



[Modified by Lancer033, 7:56 AM 5/2/2004]

 

what is the apprx cost of doing all 4 wheels with the stopforce stuff--I notice I am starting to get small cracks around the holes in my rotors--

 

The StopFORCE rotors cost $600 + shipping, stock rear rotors are about $25 each, the HPS pads were ~$170, and about $20 for break fluid. Assuming that you have the tools to do the job, it's an easy install.

I also forgot to mention that i also put speed bleeders on, which made bleeding the system a lot easier too. Those ~$30

 

What brand are your rotors, Iv'e been hearing more and more about drilled rotors cracking. :confused:

 

It's not about the brand, it's an inherent downside to cross-drilling. I'd explain in more detail but it's late and I'm sleepy. In any case, including the holes in the original casting (instead of drilling them afterwards) helps quite a bit, which is what the stopforce's (reconfigured Porsche rotors) have going for them.

 

BRAKES dude! that is how you spell it :thumbs:

 

:thumbs: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: