is it really worth it to get these...looking for info from ppl who have them already or know someone who does...I mean, i can't see how they could be so much better then their plain ol big break kit...

thoughts, comments, concerns???

 

brake?

 

You mean -- lunch break, smoke break, potty break . . .

 

i have it for over a year now. Love love it.
Pedal feels much better than stock.
Feel the car can stop on a dime.

 

I wish they would have made something for the rears though.

 

Don't break your car.

 

80% of braking is from the front. Honestly, rear is more for look.

 

Yeah I know but if I were to spend a couple of grand on BBKs I would like to know I can finish the look off all around.

 

Good thread....What do you guys think is more worth it for stopping power? Brembo OEM 4 wheel brakes or the Brembo Gran Turismo FRONT ONLY kit? You can pick up a used set of OEM's around the same price....

 

If you can actually measure the stopping distances, you might be surprised at how deceptive that feeling really is.

If you're looking for reduced stopping distances, just get upgraded pads and brake lines and be happy pocketing all that leftover dough. OR, if you really also want the look of a BBK with reduced stopping distances, than you need to get a full BBK for all 4 corners. Upgrading just the fronts will not reduce stopping distances. In fact, it will actually often increase them. Now, if you don't care about stopping distance, but are more concerned about brake fade (i.e. road racing), then upgrading the fronts might be an option...

 

but the fact of the matter is...its more expensive for the Z then any of the other Brembo kits...and there is NOT a set for the rear...so it sorta leaves you hanging on what to do with the rear.

granted, 80% of the braking power is in the front...but still if you want your car to look good usually the front and rear calipers match...i just don't see how this kit is worth it for the money and the fact that the stock 4 piston brembos on some Z's brake like a charm.

looks sexy tho...thats for sure

 

It doesn't matter if that much of the braking power is in the front. Offsetting the OEM brake balance with upgraded rotors and calipers at only the fronts will greatly reduce the efficacy of the rear brakes and increase stopping distances.

 

http://www.zeckhausen.com/testing_brakes.htm

 

That's one example (that I already knew about) that is sponsored BY THE MANUFACTURER

and it is RARE that this happens. If you don't believe me, I'll happily trot out a whole applied physics lesson for you. And if you read that whole article, you'd see that they are in fact agreeing with what I say in nearly all cases.

 

I've had both the 355 brembo gran turismo kit and 355 stoptech front kit, from my road/track experience wheel and tire setup has played a MUCH bigger role than having a bbk in the rear.

 

I want the look of BBK's with the stopping power. I'm pretty set on a set of used OEM Brembo's, only problem is finding a set in my price range!

 

And that's perfectly reasonable that you want the looks (as well as better stopping distances). I think people should mod their cars in whatever way they want, but they just shouldn't fool themselves into getting a product that's not going to perform as advertised. Most BBKs help with fade, and looks, but not stopping distances.

You seem to know the score pretty well, though. OEM Brembos definitely will satisfy both of your criteria. But yeah, they are costly. Keep scouring the classifieds, though... I've seen a few pop up from time to time with a decent price tag. Good luck!