Difference between stillen AP kit and Essex AP kit?
01-29-2018, 05:27 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Difference between stillen AP kit and Essex AP kit?
One says 370mm rotor, the other 372mm rotor.
Also about $1500 difference in price.
https://www.stillen.com/catalog/product/view/id/87668/s/ap-racing-chevrolet-corvette-radi-cal-front-6-piston-14-5-j-hook-big-brake-kit-black-calipers-apr60200j/category/1194/
https://www.essexparts.com/essex-designed-ap-racing-radi-cal-competition-brake-kit-front-cp9668372mm-c7-corvette
Also about $1500 difference in price.
https://www.stillen.com/catalog/product/view/id/87668/s/ap-racing-chevrolet-corvette-radi-cal-front-6-piston-14-5-j-hook-big-brake-kit-black-calipers-apr60200j/category/1194/
https://www.essexparts.com/essex-designed-ap-racing-radi-cal-competition-brake-kit-front-cp9668372mm-c7-corvette
01-29-2018, 11:48 AM
#2
Melting Slicks
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Appears to use two different calipers
Essex uses the 9668
https://www.apracing.com/product_det...thick_pad.aspx
That Stillen kit uses the 9560 possibly, or similar.
https://www.apracing.com/product_det...ston_area.aspx
If that is the 9560 caliper, it does not use anti-knockback springs which would immediately eliminate it from consideration if I were the buyer. I can only assume you are wanting to change/upgrade for road course work and not just to look cool, otherwise the 9560 caliper would be fine, but then again so too would the OEM brakes.
Essex uses the 9668
https://www.apracing.com/product_det...thick_pad.aspx
That Stillen kit uses the 9560 possibly, or similar.
https://www.apracing.com/product_det...ston_area.aspx
If that is the 9560 caliper, it does not use anti-knockback springs which would immediately eliminate it from consideration if I were the buyer. I can only assume you are wanting to change/upgrade for road course work and not just to look cool, otherwise the 9560 caliper would be fine, but then again so too would the OEM brakes.
Last edited by fleming23; 01-29-2018 at 11:56 AM.
01-29-2018, 12:38 PM
#3
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There isn't a lot of information available on the Stillen caliper. From the write ups the Stillen version has painted calipers while the Essex version has anodized calipers. It is a Radical Caliper but it looks different than the Radical Caliper offered by Essex.
What I mean by it looks different is when you look at the top view the Stillen version isn't opened up as much as the Essex version. The Essex kit uses the AP Pro 5000 Series of Radi Cal calipers. https://www.apracing.com/products/ra...0_r_range.aspx
The AP CP9668 caliper used in the Essex kit has a lot more air space around the rear of the caliper cylinders for improved cooling of the brake fluid. The AP CP9668 Caliper is designed to be a racing caliper. It also handles brake pads that are 25 mm thick which is a huge boon from a pad life standpoint. Here is the description on the AP Site:
CP9668 (Essex 372 rotor 25 mm thick pad caliper)
Typical Applications:
- Budget, general competition use.
- Single make race series.
Features:
- Benefits from a radical asymmetric design concept.
- Superior dynamic performance.
- Increased stiffness.
- Forged, two piece aluminium alloy body.
- Radial mount, 180.0mm x 42.0mm centres.
- Suits Ø390.0mm Max or 362.0mm Min x 36.0mm Max / 32.0mm Min thick disc.
- Stainless Steel Pistons.
- High temperature seals.
- 7lb Anti-knockback springs fitted.
- Stainless Steel wear plates.
Part Numbers:
- RH = CP9668-2S7L.
- LH = CP9668-3S7L.
The Essex 372 rotor version will fit inside of 18 inch wheels (at least mine do) so I don't think you need to worry about a 1mm radius difference.
The Stillen web page doesn't indicate which Radical Caliper they offer but I notice the Stillen web page indicates the caliper comes with dust boots and that is a sure indicator the caliper is intended for street applications rather than race applications. The AP CP9668 caliper included in the Essex kit does not have dust boots. It does have antiknockback springs behind the pistons to keep the pads from being knocked back by hub or rotor run out which the Stillen web page doesn't mention one way or the other. Another indicator the Stillen kits are street based is the offering of drilled rotors. Those are for bling only and not available with the Essex kits.
If you are looking to replace a Z06 iron brake setup I don't see any advantage in choosing the Stillen kit. If you are looking to replacing a Z06 ceramic brake setup the Stillen kit can probably provide lower cost consumables. However, it may not hold up as well as the Essex kit which is designed for the track.
The other thing that might be different is the Essex Kits includes rotor hats designed by Essex that have their name on them. The kit is specifically engineered for C7 Race Applications vs street applications.
The Essex kit costs more since they have put more into the engineering of the kit toward race applications, provide some of their own parts and probably have chosen a more expensive AP Caliper than the Stillen Kit uses.
Give Jeff Ritter at Essex a call and ask him to tell you the differences. I know that is not usually a good idea to ask the builder of a product why their product is best but I think he would provide an honest analysis of the differences between the two products.
Bill
What I mean by it looks different is when you look at the top view the Stillen version isn't opened up as much as the Essex version. The Essex kit uses the AP Pro 5000 Series of Radi Cal calipers. https://www.apracing.com/products/ra...0_r_range.aspx
The AP CP9668 caliper used in the Essex kit has a lot more air space around the rear of the caliper cylinders for improved cooling of the brake fluid. The AP CP9668 Caliper is designed to be a racing caliper. It also handles brake pads that are 25 mm thick which is a huge boon from a pad life standpoint. Here is the description on the AP Site:
CP9668 (Essex 372 rotor 25 mm thick pad caliper)
Typical Applications:
- Budget, general competition use.
- Single make race series.
Features:
- Benefits from a radical asymmetric design concept.
- Superior dynamic performance.
- Increased stiffness.
- Forged, two piece aluminium alloy body.
- Radial mount, 180.0mm x 42.0mm centres.
- Suits Ø390.0mm Max or 362.0mm Min x 36.0mm Max / 32.0mm Min thick disc.
- Stainless Steel Pistons.
- High temperature seals.
- 7lb Anti-knockback springs fitted.
- Stainless Steel wear plates.
Part Numbers:
- RH = CP9668-2S7L.
- LH = CP9668-3S7L.
The Essex 372 rotor version will fit inside of 18 inch wheels (at least mine do) so I don't think you need to worry about a 1mm radius difference.
The Stillen web page doesn't indicate which Radical Caliper they offer but I notice the Stillen web page indicates the caliper comes with dust boots and that is a sure indicator the caliper is intended for street applications rather than race applications. The AP CP9668 caliper included in the Essex kit does not have dust boots. It does have antiknockback springs behind the pistons to keep the pads from being knocked back by hub or rotor run out which the Stillen web page doesn't mention one way or the other. Another indicator the Stillen kits are street based is the offering of drilled rotors. Those are for bling only and not available with the Essex kits.
If you are looking to replace a Z06 iron brake setup I don't see any advantage in choosing the Stillen kit. If you are looking to replacing a Z06 ceramic brake setup the Stillen kit can probably provide lower cost consumables. However, it may not hold up as well as the Essex kit which is designed for the track.
The other thing that might be different is the Essex Kits includes rotor hats designed by Essex that have their name on them. The kit is specifically engineered for C7 Race Applications vs street applications.
The Essex kit costs more since they have put more into the engineering of the kit toward race applications, provide some of their own parts and probably have chosen a more expensive AP Caliper than the Stillen Kit uses.
Give Jeff Ritter at Essex a call and ask him to tell you the differences. I know that is not usually a good idea to ask the builder of a product why their product is best but I think he would provide an honest analysis of the differences between the two products.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; 01-29-2018 at 12:40 PM.
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JRitt@essex (03-30-2018)
01-29-2018, 05:52 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
There isn't a lot of information available on the Stillen caliper. From the write ups the Stillen version has painted calipers while the Essex version has anodized calipers. It is a Radical Caliper but it looks different than the Radical Caliper offered by Essex.
What I mean by it looks different is when you look at the top view the Stillen version isn't opened up as much as the Essex version. The Essex kit uses the AP Pro 5000 Series of Radi Cal calipers. https://www.apracing.com/products/ra...0_r_range.aspx
The AP CP9668 caliper used in the Essex kit has a lot more air space around the rear of the caliper cylinders for improved cooling of the brake fluid. The AP CP9668 Caliper is designed to be a racing caliper. It also handles brake pads that are 25 mm thick which is a huge boon from a pad life standpoint. Here is the description on the AP Site:
CP9668 (Essex 372 rotor 25 mm thick pad caliper)
Typical Applications:
- Budget, general competition use.
- Single make race series.
Features:
- Benefits from a radical asymmetric design concept.
- Superior dynamic performance.
- Increased stiffness.
- Forged, two piece aluminium alloy body.
- Radial mount, 180.0mm x 42.0mm centres.
- Suits Ø390.0mm Max or 362.0mm Min x 36.0mm Max / 32.0mm Min thick disc.
- Stainless Steel Pistons.
- High temperature seals.
- 7lb Anti-knockback springs fitted.
- Stainless Steel wear plates.
Part Numbers:
- RH = CP9668-2S7L.
- LH = CP9668-3S7L.
The Essex 372 rotor version will fit inside of 18 inch wheels (at least mine do) so I don't think you need to worry about a 1mm radius difference.
The Stillen web page doesn't indicate which Radical Caliper they offer but I notice the Stillen web page indicates the caliper comes with dust boots and that is a sure indicator the caliper is intended for street applications rather than race applications. The AP CP9668 caliper included in the Essex kit does not have dust boots. It does have antiknockback springs behind the pistons to keep the pads from being knocked back by hub or rotor run out which the Stillen web page doesn't mention one way or the other. Another indicator the Stillen kits are street based is the offering of drilled rotors. Those are for bling only and not available with the Essex kits.
If you are looking to replace a Z06 iron brake setup I don't see any advantage in choosing the Stillen kit. If you are looking to replacing a Z06 ceramic brake setup the Stillen kit can probably provide lower cost consumables. However, it may not hold up as well as the Essex kit which is designed for the track.
The other thing that might be different is the Essex Kits includes rotor hats designed by Essex that have their name on them. The kit is specifically engineered for C7 Race Applications vs street applications.
The Essex kit costs more since they have put more into the engineering of the kit toward race applications, provide some of their own parts and probably have chosen a more expensive AP Caliper than the Stillen Kit uses.
Give Jeff Ritter at Essex a call and ask him to tell you the differences. I know that is not usually a good idea to ask the builder of a product why their product is best but I think he would provide an honest analysis of the differences between the two products.
Bill
What I mean by it looks different is when you look at the top view the Stillen version isn't opened up as much as the Essex version. The Essex kit uses the AP Pro 5000 Series of Radi Cal calipers. https://www.apracing.com/products/ra...0_r_range.aspx
The AP CP9668 caliper used in the Essex kit has a lot more air space around the rear of the caliper cylinders for improved cooling of the brake fluid. The AP CP9668 Caliper is designed to be a racing caliper. It also handles brake pads that are 25 mm thick which is a huge boon from a pad life standpoint. Here is the description on the AP Site:
CP9668 (Essex 372 rotor 25 mm thick pad caliper)
Typical Applications:
- Budget, general competition use.
- Single make race series.
Features:
- Benefits from a radical asymmetric design concept.
- Superior dynamic performance.
- Increased stiffness.
- Forged, two piece aluminium alloy body.
- Radial mount, 180.0mm x 42.0mm centres.
- Suits Ø390.0mm Max or 362.0mm Min x 36.0mm Max / 32.0mm Min thick disc.
- Stainless Steel Pistons.
- High temperature seals.
- 7lb Anti-knockback springs fitted.
- Stainless Steel wear plates.
Part Numbers:
- RH = CP9668-2S7L.
- LH = CP9668-3S7L.
The Essex 372 rotor version will fit inside of 18 inch wheels (at least mine do) so I don't think you need to worry about a 1mm radius difference.
The Stillen web page doesn't indicate which Radical Caliper they offer but I notice the Stillen web page indicates the caliper comes with dust boots and that is a sure indicator the caliper is intended for street applications rather than race applications. The AP CP9668 caliper included in the Essex kit does not have dust boots. It does have antiknockback springs behind the pistons to keep the pads from being knocked back by hub or rotor run out which the Stillen web page doesn't mention one way or the other. Another indicator the Stillen kits are street based is the offering of drilled rotors. Those are for bling only and not available with the Essex kits.
If you are looking to replace a Z06 iron brake setup I don't see any advantage in choosing the Stillen kit. If you are looking to replacing a Z06 ceramic brake setup the Stillen kit can probably provide lower cost consumables. However, it may not hold up as well as the Essex kit which is designed for the track.
The other thing that might be different is the Essex Kits includes rotor hats designed by Essex that have their name on them. The kit is specifically engineered for C7 Race Applications vs street applications.
The Essex kit costs more since they have put more into the engineering of the kit toward race applications, provide some of their own parts and probably have chosen a more expensive AP Caliper than the Stillen Kit uses.
Give Jeff Ritter at Essex a call and ask him to tell you the differences. I know that is not usually a good idea to ask the builder of a product why their product is best but I think he would provide an honest analysis of the differences between the two products.
Bill
01-29-2018, 07:22 PM
#6
Stillen is the street AP
Essex is the track / race AP
Not sure why AP have two different distributors for street and race products.
I got fooled while back into buying the Stillen set for my previous Z51 (same part for Z06) and had only one street pad choice DS2500 at that time. Stillen had the DS3000 on backorder for months and that was their only performance pad. I thought I had a track setup and didn't understand that Stillen and Essex are two different worlds although both have AP logo. I wouldn't waste a penny on Stillen. Either stick with stock setup or get true performance set from Essex. Essex usually have many different pad options.
Essex is the track / race AP
Not sure why AP have two different distributors for street and race products.
I got fooled while back into buying the Stillen set for my previous Z51 (same part for Z06) and had only one street pad choice DS2500 at that time. Stillen had the DS3000 on backorder for months and that was their only performance pad. I thought I had a track setup and didn't understand that Stillen and Essex are two different worlds although both have AP logo. I wouldn't waste a penny on Stillen. Either stick with stock setup or get true performance set from Essex. Essex usually have many different pad options.
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