I'm upgrading to Rotora Big Brake Kit with 14" Rotors, and man are these things heavy! Anyone with Big Brake setup notice a decrease in mpg?

Bat™

 

My Stoptech 13's were the same weight as stock on the front. You'd be surprised how much the stockers weigh
I doubt you'll notice the mpg difference for the extra 20lbs or whatever it comes to.

 

I don't think it will be an issue... the looks will out weigh any negative! Can hardly wait to see the end result!!

 

If it does increase the weight, then it will affect MPG and horsepower assumign all other conditions are the same. It will be such a slight difference that I doubt you'll notice it at all, and you definately don't have to worry about it.

 

my 14" stoptech rotors were lighter than the stock 13" brembos.. but there is more mass, on a larger diameter, so rotational energy spent to turn the larger rotors might affect hp.. but its miniscule compared the size and weight of your wheel!

dont worry about it. you lose more mpg by driving with your window open on the freeway than rotor size.

 

BTW, I got my stock sideskirts a few weeks back. Thank s Jeff!

Bat™

 

On the show called Sports Car Revolution on Speed Channel. they put a big brake kit on their project car RSX, and they found that it actually lost some hp.

 

a 20 pound bag of rice in the hatch will decrease performance.

 

There was a great article in R&T's "Boost" magazine this month that talked about the "downside" of big break kits. It was something about the distribution of breaking force to front vs. rear and that if the breaking force provided by the new kit doesn't remain appropriate for to the proportioning valve, you can actually increase your stopping distance. It's an interesting read if you get a chance.

 

they must be total retards to make it sound as if the brakes affected HP numbers. ...or it may be a perception issue.

when sitting on a dyno, vehicle weight is not a factor. it's how fast the wheels turn, and with how much inertia. i guess they didn't consider the fact that the brake assembly does not turn with the wheel. brake weight can't affect real hp numbers, unless of course christopher lowell is running the dyno.

 

a bigger and/or heavier rotor will effect your hp/mileage just the same as bigger and/or heavier wheels. In addition the weight of the whole assembly is unsprung weight effecting handling more so than if you put that weight in the car. I seriously doubt anyone will notice these differences. I read that Boost article as well and I think i'll take their advice and save a few thousand bucks and just get better pads, lighter rotors and SS lines to improve my braking performance.

 

I'll give you a comparison after I fill up the next few times.

Bat™

 

the big brake kits are not sold to reduce stopping distance though, which is the incorrect slant R&T took

Take 2 identically prepped cars to the track, one fitted with a BBK, one fitted with stock brakes, but upgraded pads, lines, fluid, and you'll quickly spot the difference. It's not about reducing stopping times, its about doing so consistently without fade, lap after lap.

As for the brakes, I noticed my steering got a bit heavier after fitting my AP's, but I rather like it, as I felt the stock steering was overboosted from the factory.

The gas mileage pretty much stunk before and after the install BTW. I avg about 20 miles per gallon in mixed driving..nothing to write home about.