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View Full Version : Brakes Looking to upgrade


2fnloud
10-14-2010, 09:20 AM
Like the title says, my rotors are slightly warped and would like to budget in an upgrade before they need replacement.

I know there are PLENTY of big brake kits available but with the intended use of my 3s, I don't think I need that extreme of an upgrade.

So I imagined the most extreme driving scenario I could possibly ever be in. The Dragon is what came to mind.

So I would like to read what you all would recommend for a brake set up that would be adequate for driving the dragon.

Stainless steel lines are a given, is one a better kit than another? By better I mean install just like OEM no headaches or fabricating.

I have found the following brake line upgrades:

Stoptech
Goodridge
Techna-Fit
3SX

The 3sx lines are the cheapest, but I am more concerned with quality over price.

As far as pads and rotors, there is where I get overwhelmed with the options and would like help, I am leaning towards the Stillen rotors and pads.

Would just the Stillen rotors and pads be enough for the levels of braking that would be required for the Dragon? Or would at least the fronts brakes need to be upgraded to a big brake kit?

Thank you for your input.
futurevr4man
10-14-2010, 09:31 AM
i personally have the stillen rotors (drilled) and they seem to do well. i bought some hawk hps pads, they are supposed to be really nice but i havent installed them yet. from what i can tell though, that seems to be more or less the best street setup for the least amount of money.

i have some front brake lines (goodridge) i could sell you for a good price. pm me if you would like to talk!

good luck, hope this helps
HLxDrummer
10-14-2010, 12:43 PM
Check my sig :)
DocWalt
10-14-2010, 10:48 PM
2g rotors? I went with Carbotechs for the rotors, and used HPS pads. HPS pads suck ass. Regular rotors and street pads would be perfectly fine for the Dragon, assuming you don't ride them.
2fnloud
10-14-2010, 11:15 PM
2g rotors? I went with Carbotechs for the rotors, and used HPS pads. HPS pads suck ass. Regular rotors and street pads would be perfectly fine for the Dragon, assuming you don't ride them.

Yes 2nd gen rotors. IF OEM size is adequate, maybe I will look into the Stillen rotors and pads.
DocWalt
10-14-2010, 11:28 PM
See HLxDrummer's sig? Check that out, his brake set up is badass :)
2fnloud
10-14-2010, 11:49 PM
See HLxDrummer's sig? Check that out, his brake set up is badass :)

What would a set up like that cost? (too lazy to research it, unless HLxDrummer knows, I will look it up later) I am certain my hard lines are fine
futurevr4man
10-15-2010, 12:10 AM
why do hps pads suck again?
skater334
10-15-2010, 01:27 AM
Stillen pads and rotors will be a great choice, but also for a budget is the Red Stuff pads and rotors from EBC. Big brake...I'd say Stoptech or Willwood
2fnloud
10-15-2010, 01:36 AM
As much as I would love to put a big brake kit on all four wheels, I had to ask my self "why?". With how I know I am going to be driving that car, the only answer was "To show off how much money I can waste on my car."

So a combo like HLxDrummer's or similar will be more than plenty.
DocWalt
10-15-2010, 10:07 AM
What would a set up like that cost? (too lazy to research it, unless HLxDrummer knows, I will look it up later) I am certain my hard lines are fine

Depends, he rebuilt and powdercoated his at the same time. A basic refresh for me (excluding rear rotors) was about $400


why do hps pads suck again?

They have crummy bite, lousy pedal feel, the dust they make rusts into your paint, and road salt destroys them, making them feel even crummier. They are more heat resistant than stock pads, but they suck in every other way.
GordonRamsey
10-15-2010, 10:40 AM
If you throw a BBK up front and do nothing with rear it will just hinder the performance because of the brake balance. My TT upgrade actually did that. It's better, but doesnt merit a 4 piston caliper. maybe they just need rebuilt, dont know. do all 4!
2fnloud
10-15-2010, 11:34 AM
If you throw a BBK up front and do nothing with rear it will just hinder the performance because of the brake balance. My TT upgrade actually did that. It's better, but doesnt merit a 4 piston caliper. maybe they just need rebuilt, dont know. do all 4!

I would be doing all for not just a BBK. With what how I will be driving the car, it will not need it. As far as what I do I will be doing to all 4. I don't think I will need a rebuild kit, my 3s only has 28,xxx original miles.
DocWalt
10-15-2010, 12:05 PM
If you throw a BBK up front and do nothing with rear it will just hinder the performance because of the brake balance. My TT upgrade actually did that. It's better, but doesnt merit a 4 piston caliper. maybe they just need rebuilt, dont know. do all 4!

Stoptech proportions the pistons correctly so this isn't an issue. Other companies do not, they expect you to use a proportioning valve to fix the issue, which is a valid school of thought for a track car, not so much for a street car.
GordonRamsey
10-15-2010, 12:35 PM
I would be doing all for not just a BBK. With what how I will be driving the car, it will not need it. As far as what I do I will be doing to all 4. I don't think I will need a rebuild kit, my 3s only has 28,xxx original miles.

I was saying my calipers might need rebuilding. 28000?? nice!
GordonRamsey
10-15-2010, 12:35 PM
Stoptech proportions the pistons correctly so this isn't an issue. Other companies do not, they expect you to use a proportioning valve to fix the issue, which is a valid school of thought for a track car, not so much for a street car.

I was wondering about that valve. Would I need one if I did a TT upgrade? Or could I just do work to the rear to even out the workload.
DocWalt
10-15-2010, 01:04 PM
If you go with a full TT upgrade, it won't be an issue. You could always buy a proportioning valve and tweak it yourself, but that's highly advised against for a street car.
GordonRamsey
10-15-2010, 01:37 PM
why isnt that good for a street car? Hmmm.. next year it will be doubling as street/track.
DocWalt
10-15-2010, 01:46 PM
If you know how to adjust the bias, it's fine. Most people don't know how, so the brake balance ends up crummy.
GordonRamsey
10-15-2010, 01:55 PM
Hmm. good info to remember.
Polygon
10-15-2010, 04:03 PM
Yeah, you would just need the prop valve from a TT. Getting to it with the engine in is a real bitch if not nearly impossible though.
GordonRamsey
10-15-2010, 07:01 PM
where is it?
lat42MS
10-15-2010, 09:35 PM
Bolted to the firewall, right in the middle. Follow your brake lines. I removed the battery, Y pipe, and some other fun stuff to get to it when I did my ABS delete (with the engine in). There's no "TT" prop valve, just an ABS version with 4 ports and a non-ABS version with 6 ports.
Polygon
10-15-2010, 11:28 PM
Bolted to the firewall, right in the middle. Follow your brake lines. I removed the battery, Y pipe, and some other fun stuff to get to it when I did my ABS delete (with the engine in). There's no "TT" prop valve, just an ABS version with 4 ports and a non-ABS version with 6 ports.

Ah that's' nice. They keep the brake bias the same between models. In that case you wouldn't need to bother unless you have ABS and want to delete it.
GordonRamsey
10-16-2010, 06:11 PM
Hmmm that is a relief.
HLxDrummer
10-17-2010, 03:10 PM
I did everything except the master, and the hard lines and I think it cost me around $650 give or take $100. I can get more details if you want. That was with rebuild kits and everything.
2fnloud
10-17-2010, 03:16 PM
I did everything except the master, and the hard lines and I think it cost me around $650 give or take $100. I can get more details if you want. That was with rebuild kits and everything.

I will hit you up on that at a later date. I will just start saving up about a grand, then contact you about that.

Thanks
HLxDrummer
10-17-2010, 05:45 PM
Yep, no problem. I was facing the same issue as you and I'm pretty happy with what I got. I actually spent $900-$1000 but I also bought a nice powdercoating setup to do my calipers/dust shields and suspension parts in the future.
2fnloud
10-17-2010, 07:06 PM
I am liking the idea of powder coating the calipers.
HLxDrummer
10-18-2010, 08:47 PM
Ya I love mine. It's a little tricky to find a balance of a decent coat thickness, runs, and bare edges but it's fun to do and pretty durable. I'm sure it makes it easier with a nice setup, though. I figured I'd have the brakes all apart doing everything that I may as well coat them and not have to touch the braking system for a while.
2fnloud
10-18-2010, 09:03 PM
I have always just painted my calipers before, I am talking the cheap wal-mart rattle cans too. I did my Saturn calipers and drums like 5 years ago. I am surprised that they still look great to this day.

However I do not want to try that with these calipers because I am sure that the heat difference between Saturn SC2 rotors and R/T turbo rotors are going to be huge difference
GordonRamsey
10-19-2010, 10:25 AM
This may seem dumb, but how do you know if they need a rebuild? If they leak?