Stop Tech Big Brakes
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Canyon Lake, TX
Originally posted by J Ritt
Jeffrey,
Droid is pretty much hitting the nail on the head with what I mean. The problem with the group buys and advertising discounted prices is that everyone gets into a big battle about who can go lowest on price. One shop sets up a buy, then 4 other shops do one to compete. The next thing you know, everyone's battling to sell on price, and the price people quote when they talk about your brakes is the most discounted advertised price they've seen. IMO, that's brand dillution...you're product is cheapened and is now only worth the lowest advertised price. We try to steer clear of internet price squabbling altogether. Our product sells itself for those who have tried them, or those who take the time to see what goes into one of our kits.
As a matter of fact, we try to steer clear of internet only' resellers completely. We look for shops that take the customer's car and do all of the modifications to it. We want a reseller that will educate the consumer...talk to them about which brakes are right for their car, how to bed them in properly, etc. That is where the value of the reseller lies...a relationship with the customer, and educating them about our products. If we '***** out' our product on the internet for pennies, our good resellers don't want to do business with us. Their margins disappear as the price of the product drops closer to cost. We actually cut our resellers off if we find them advertising below list...they are first warned, and then can no longer sell our products.
Yes Jeffrey, Jason will take care of you.
Jeffrey,
Droid is pretty much hitting the nail on the head with what I mean. The problem with the group buys and advertising discounted prices is that everyone gets into a big battle about who can go lowest on price. One shop sets up a buy, then 4 other shops do one to compete. The next thing you know, everyone's battling to sell on price, and the price people quote when they talk about your brakes is the most discounted advertised price they've seen. IMO, that's brand dillution...you're product is cheapened and is now only worth the lowest advertised price. We try to steer clear of internet price squabbling altogether. Our product sells itself for those who have tried them, or those who take the time to see what goes into one of our kits.
As a matter of fact, we try to steer clear of internet only' resellers completely. We look for shops that take the customer's car and do all of the modifications to it. We want a reseller that will educate the consumer...talk to them about which brakes are right for their car, how to bed them in properly, etc. That is where the value of the reseller lies...a relationship with the customer, and educating them about our products. If we '***** out' our product on the internet for pennies, our good resellers don't want to do business with us. Their margins disappear as the price of the product drops closer to cost. We actually cut our resellers off if we find them advertising below list...they are first warned, and then can no longer sell our products.
Yes Jeffrey, Jason will take care of you.
I wasn't insinuating StopTech do a group buy, I was thinking maybe one of the vendors associated with the site. That's all.
Sorry for the confusion.
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From: So-Cal - Ready to go?
they look like candy raver blue to me...
now we just need some candy colored spokes and some happy hardcore and whistles..
that would look bad "buttocks" on a black car!
now we just need some candy colored spokes and some happy hardcore and whistles..
that would look bad "buttocks" on a black car!
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From: So-Cal - Ready to go?
Originally posted by jeffrey
Heeeey, apparently someone got the hint. I got a quote via PM. Thanks Jason.
Heeeey, apparently someone got the hint. I got a quote via PM. Thanks Jason.
i was reading this thread / responding from my cell phone while out of town this weekend.. heh
....for your health
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Raider Nation
Originally posted by J Ritt
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I wish I had known.
Do they do track events on a regular basis? Please keep me in the loop. I will come out, answer questions, bring some catalogs, some Motul, maybe a giveaway or two for raffle (pads, a discount on a kit, shirt, etc). I won't mind driving either! 
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I wish I had known.
Do they do track events on a regular basis? Please keep me in the loop. I will come out, answer questions, bring some catalogs, some Motul, maybe a giveaway or two for raffle (pads, a discount on a kit, shirt, etc). I won't mind driving either!
. ClubZ.org is planning 3 track days at Thunderhill in '04. You should see if you can make the drive up for one of the events.
Those light blue brakes were a special deal for Vivid Racing, one of our resellers. It definitely looks like a Spoon color. Their car is in a few mags this month...I think Sport Compact Car and Import Racer?
mcclaskz,
They shouldn't be spongy at all...definitely bleed them out...and make sure you do it with another person helping. One person works the pedal, the other works the wrench on the bleed screw. The person on the pedal applies pressure, and calls out "pressure." The person on the screw opens it up...fluid starts to flow. WHen the pedal hits the floor, the person on the pedal says, "floor." The person on the screw says, "closed" as they close the screw....then the person on the pedal releases pressure, and does this again...a few times per screw should be sufficient. On the last one, as the person is pushing the pedal down, the guy on the screw cracks it open for a quick second, then closes it again before it gets to the floor. Another note...blow out the fluid left sitting in the tip of the bleed screw. You can used compressed air, or brake cleaner. If you don't, that stuff can be drawn back into the system.
One more special note on the Z...because of the caliper orientation (at a slant), it's probably a good idea to take the top bolt off of the caliper from the bracket, and hold the caliper vertical to get the last bit of air out. Put a rag on the caliper, and give it a few good whacks with a rubber mallet...just don't hammer on the bleed screw!
Talk to Droid about this...I think he knows the proper procedure as well. I did this on mine, and my pedal is like a rock...yum.
Jeffrey,
No worries. I just wanted to clear things up from our perspective.
John and failsafe
I'm definitely in for one or more of those events. I'll bring some gear up and do a bit of driving with you guys....should be a blast! Failsafe...glad you like the brakes!
mcclaskz,
They shouldn't be spongy at all...definitely bleed them out...and make sure you do it with another person helping. One person works the pedal, the other works the wrench on the bleed screw. The person on the pedal applies pressure, and calls out "pressure." The person on the screw opens it up...fluid starts to flow. WHen the pedal hits the floor, the person on the pedal says, "floor." The person on the screw says, "closed" as they close the screw....then the person on the pedal releases pressure, and does this again...a few times per screw should be sufficient. On the last one, as the person is pushing the pedal down, the guy on the screw cracks it open for a quick second, then closes it again before it gets to the floor. Another note...blow out the fluid left sitting in the tip of the bleed screw. You can used compressed air, or brake cleaner. If you don't, that stuff can be drawn back into the system.
One more special note on the Z...because of the caliper orientation (at a slant), it's probably a good idea to take the top bolt off of the caliper from the bracket, and hold the caliper vertical to get the last bit of air out. Put a rag on the caliper, and give it a few good whacks with a rubber mallet...just don't hammer on the bleed screw!
Talk to Droid about this...I think he knows the proper procedure as well. I did this on mine, and my pedal is like a rock...yum. Jeffrey,
No worries. I just wanted to clear things up from our perspective.
John and failsafe
I'm definitely in for one or more of those events. I'll bring some gear up and do a bit of driving with you guys....should be a blast! Failsafe...glad you like the brakes!
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From: Duarte, Calif
Originally posted by J Ritt
One more special note on the Z...because of the caliper orientation (at a slant), it's probably a good idea to take the top bolt off of the caliper from the bracket, and hold the caliper vertical to get the last bit of air out.
One more special note on the Z...because of the caliper orientation (at a slant), it's probably a good idea to take the top bolt off of the caliper from the bracket, and hold the caliper vertical to get the last bit of air out.
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From: austin
Originally posted by J Ritt
Do a search on StopTech...this was discussed about a month ago. We have been evaluating a 4 wheel 13" solution at this time...I actually mentioned it earlier in this post. I don't have any details at this time...just that if we did release it, it would fit 17" wheels all around.
As for piecing your own system together...there is a LOT involved. Check out the technical articles on our website. Slapping on calilpers designed for a different application can be a giant can of worms. Also, you may spend a few bucks less, but the WilWood calipers are the least stiff on the market for the most part (of the major players). To be perfectly honest, you don't need a 4 wheel kit. I run our 332mm front only kit on my car, as do many others on this board. They will hold up on the track no problem. You would be much happier with the results of spending $2k on that kit than trying to piece together something on your own. $4500 is a lot of money...there's no doubt about that. If you look at what you're getting for the money vs. our competitors though...you aren't going to do any better.
Do a search on StopTech...this was discussed about a month ago. We have been evaluating a 4 wheel 13" solution at this time...I actually mentioned it earlier in this post. I don't have any details at this time...just that if we did release it, it would fit 17" wheels all around.
As for piecing your own system together...there is a LOT involved. Check out the technical articles on our website. Slapping on calilpers designed for a different application can be a giant can of worms. Also, you may spend a few bucks less, but the WilWood calipers are the least stiff on the market for the most part (of the major players). To be perfectly honest, you don't need a 4 wheel kit. I run our 332mm front only kit on my car, as do many others on this board. They will hold up on the track no problem. You would be much happier with the results of spending $2k on that kit than trying to piece together something on your own. $4500 is a lot of money...there's no doubt about that. If you look at what you're getting for the money vs. our competitors though...you aren't going to do any better.
I'm well aware of the technical details involved in sizing a brake kit (total piston area vs. stock in order to maintain consistent hydraulic ratios to retain normal brake pedal feel, etc, etc). I was considering the Wilwood solution simply because I can purchase their calipers/rotors/hats individually and put together my own solution. There is no doubt that I'd rather use StopTech parts, but I haven't seen a place I can purchase components individually instead of in "kit" form. Like I said before, I can't really justify $4500 for a 14" kit, especially since it forces me to use 18" wheels.
I also have been considering doing a front wheel upgrade only, but two things bother me -- aesthetics (I know, I feel lame for caring about looks), and also the fact that the rear brakes are horribly anemic. The last time I went to the track, several Z's literally had smoke rolling out of the rear wheels. If I install a front brake kit, I'm afraid the rear brakes will be stressed even further due to a possible shift in brake bias, and that's not acceptable.
The other thing that leads me to design a separate kit is the fact that I could install a separate master cylinder for the rear brakes, and thus have front/rear bias adjustability. I'm not a very serious track racer at the moment, but I bought this car for racing, not for my daily commute. I'm intending to spend quite a bit of time on the track in the next few years, and the brakes are my number one concern.
Thanks again for your input, I really appreciate the fast reply and informative response.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Chesterfield, NJ
Originally posted by azrael
Like I said before, I can't really justify $4500 for a 14" kit, especially since it forces me to use 18" wheels.
I also have been considering doing a front wheel upgrade only, but two things bother me -- aesthetics (I know, I feel lame for caring about looks), and also the fact that the rear brakes are horribly anemic. The last time I went to the track, several Z's literally had smoke rolling out of the rear wheels. If I install a front brake kit, I'm afraid the rear brakes will be stressed even further due to a possible shift in brake bias, and that's not acceptable.
I'm intending to spend quite a bit of time on the track in the next few years, and the brakes are my number one concern.
Like I said before, I can't really justify $4500 for a 14" kit, especially since it forces me to use 18" wheels.
I also have been considering doing a front wheel upgrade only, but two things bother me -- aesthetics (I know, I feel lame for caring about looks), and also the fact that the rear brakes are horribly anemic. The last time I went to the track, several Z's literally had smoke rolling out of the rear wheels. If I install a front brake kit, I'm afraid the rear brakes will be stressed even further due to a possible shift in brake bias, and that's not acceptable.
I'm intending to spend quite a bit of time on the track in the next few years, and the brakes are my number one concern.
i absolutely love my 4wheel brake kit!
i've had it one for a few weeks now, and its simply AMAZING!!!
i already had to use em in an emergency situation.. driving home on HWY5 from socal->norcal, i was doing around 85+ when an RV didnt see me pulling up fast on him as he was trying to pass a truck and i had to mush the brakes.. i hit the brakes and man, the car felt solid, no lean or excessive dipping, and held fast..i probably slowed down to about 55mph in literally less than a second or two.. egads. these brakes rule.
my 4wheel kit fits PERFECTLY under my stock track wheels and there is perfect clearance, for air exchange and heat dissipation.
on my 19" te37s. .there's plenty room for growth...
A++++ stoptech!
i've had it one for a few weeks now, and its simply AMAZING!!!
i already had to use em in an emergency situation.. driving home on HWY5 from socal->norcal, i was doing around 85+ when an RV didnt see me pulling up fast on him as he was trying to pass a truck and i had to mush the brakes.. i hit the brakes and man, the car felt solid, no lean or excessive dipping, and held fast..i probably slowed down to about 55mph in literally less than a second or two.. egads. these brakes rule.
my 4wheel kit fits PERFECTLY under my stock track wheels and there is perfect clearance, for air exchange and heat dissipation.
on my 19" te37s. .there's plenty room for growth...
A++++ stoptech!
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From: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Will the 14.1" Big Brake Four wheel Kit fit in the standard 18" (Non-Brembo) wheels?
Would my Nissan Dealership be able to install these?
Is there anyone in Canada with these?
Would my Nissan Dealership be able to install these?
Is there anyone in Canada with these?
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From: Duarte, Calif
We just did a set yesterday. FYI for comparison we charged our customer $400. labor and gave him a pretty good deal on the parts as well. They will fit your rims and look awesome as well!!!
Originally posted by Jeff@Performance
We just did a set yesterday. FYI for comparison we charged our customer $400. labor and gave him a pretty good deal on the parts as well. They will fit your rims and look awesome as well!!!
We just did a set yesterday. FYI for comparison we charged our customer $400. labor and gave him a pretty good deal on the parts as well. They will fit your rims and look awesome as well!!!
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From: lbc CA
i have a custom wilwood set up on my car. After all the fabrication, and headaches, i wish i paid $1k more for the Stop Tech's. What i ended up with is something slightly better than stock. I've driven cars with the Wilwood's before, and IMO they are almost as good as Brembo, but at a much better price.