I have stock non-brembo brakes now but considering a BBK. Not only because they look better but mainly because I want a better brake feel.

IMO, the brake pedal should move a little and then stop like it's being pushed up against a brick wall with no spongyness at all when the pads hit the rotors. I've never seen this is in a car and only a couple of times with a motorcycle.

I'm thinking that a lot of the spongyness is caused by the rubber lines that need to be changed to SS lines but some is also caused by the stock calipers not being stiff enough.

Can I get there with a BBK and SS lines? I never go to the track, which BBK? Do the solid lines need to be changed also? Master cylinder?

tia

 

maybe bleed and/or try different brake pads?

the brakes on my miata were spongy even after bleeding but when i replaced the street pads with carbotech XP8's i don't need to push that hard to get the car to stop.

my sister put the nismo pads on her z because the regular nissan pads had weird initial bite and faded at the track. the brake feel was really good with the nismos at all temps.

if you don't track your car bbk is overkill. but if you have money to spend you might as well do it.

solid lines and master cylinder don't need to be replaced when you install steel braided lines.

 

Agree with bleeding the brakes first unless you are dead set on the looks portion a BBK has to offer. I don't think I noticed any difference in feel for day to day driving on the street, but the difference on the track is night and day in the fade department.

 

You don't go to the track so why do you need a BBK? Replace your stock brake lines with stainless steel brake lines. Also, better pads & rotors. Stoptech Stage 2 kit is your answer . . . ~$700.

 

Thanks, good advice. I'll do the lines and bleeding first and only go to the BBK if it's not good enough.

 

SS lines will have an immediate effect on brake feel. I am considering doing the same to my OEM Brembos.

 

Does the type or brand of brake fluid matter for street use?

 

IMO, this is impossible to achieve. You can definetly get them to feel firmer, but they will never feel like they hit a solid stop, unless you install a stopper to limit the pedal travel

 

+1 to redlude97's comment. I went to drilled/slotted rotors, SS lines, Hawk pads and Motul fluid on non-brembro OEM's. Pedal feel and stopping distance improved signifigantly. However some pedal travel remains and, I think, is desirable. I definately would NOT recommend installing a "stopper" to limit brake travel.
I know the feeling the OP is looking for; felt it myself on motorcycles w/ giant dual discs up front. I just don't think you're going to get that feel on a 3000lb., street set-up four wheel vehicle.

 

brand doesn't matter but make sure you get the right type (DOT 3 or 4). regular castrol or valvoline synthetic will be fine. the more expensive brands have higher boiling points which you won't need on the street.

 

i just upgraded to 4 wheel 14 inch stoptech. the feel has vastly improved, it is stiff once pads touch rotors, however if you really slam on them the ABS or something wiggs out goes into random braking mode. i am very happy with this mod, feels like a different car. i had the hawk hp pads i believe before but the BBK was a huge improvement... now if i could just fix that crappy premature abs cutoff....