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Posting this because I thought you all might be interested in the updated Hub and Brake kit that KC Raceware has available. Cost is $1600 if you need hubs and the brake kit or $975 if you already have the KC Raceware hubs.
What it fits:
FB/SA RX7s with 84-85 Spindles/Struts (these spindles have a larger outer bearing than the earlier models)
Whats in the kit:
KC Raceware billet hubs that uses OE bearings and races
11.75" x .810" Rotors
Rotor spacers
Willwood Dynalite Calipers
Hawk brake pads
Caliper Brackets
Contact Charlie Clark for details at 816-257-7503
This is the Billet hub with the smaller 10" rotor installed. Back side of the hub with the 11.75" rotors installed
What is the benefit of this kit? For a track car, less brake fade over a long course or hot days? Easier brake disk replacement? I have zero trouble locking up the front tires when overapplying brakes like an emergency situation, and that's all you can ask for out of any brake rotors, pads, or calipers.
Serious question, as a street driver (*not racer) I'm not seeing the benefit to me, and I live in a desert.
What is the benefit of this kit? For a track car, less brake fade over a long course or hot days? Easier brake disk replacement? I have zero trouble locking up the front tires when overapplying brakes like an emergency situation, and that's all you can ask for out of any brake rotors, pads, or calipers.
Serious question, as a street driver (*not racer) I'm not seeing the benefit to me, and I live in a desert.
The advantages are for racing purposes on cars that have 120-140+ MPH capability (depending on race track). The trap speeds at Indy (site of the 2021 Runoffs) showed EP 1st gen RX7s in the mid 120s to higher 130s. Trap speed is a function of HP and also braking power because the longer a driver can stay in the gas the faster they will go.
The big brake kit and hub is lighter than the previous offering that used the OE caliper
The billet hub replaces the OE GSL/SE integral Hub and Rotor assembly that are proven to fail in racing conditions.
The larger diameter brake rotor provides more braking leverage and more surface area for cooling. This means shorter stopping distances and less chance of fade
The upgrade kit uses a readily available caliper
The Dynalite caliper has been around for many years and can be had with different piston sizes.
The caliper is much lighter than the OE iron caliper
The Willwood caliper is for sale everywhere where as the OE caliper is typically not available for purchase from rebuilders/parts stores
The popularity of the caliper means that there are more street and racing brake pad option
The impetus for the the big brake kit update is a recent rule change for SCCA Production cars. Specifically as it affects E Production. With a small weight penalty, racers are now allowed to increase brake rotor diameters. Previously the rules required the use of OE diameter brakes. This change is most likely in response to the newer cars that are being added to the SCCA Production category that come from the factory with larger brakes. BMWs.....I am looking at you!
As I save my spare change for this upgrade, can you ask Charlie if:
my current SE braided brake lines will work with the Willwood calipers.
anyone has tried the kit with stock MC. I suppose I can be the guinea pig on this. If not recommended, then maybe MC diameter suggestion.
As I save my spare change for this upgrade, can you ask Charlie if:
my current SE braided brake lines will work with the Willwood calipers.
anyone has tried the kit with stock MC. I suppose I can be the guinea pig on this. If not recommended, then maybe MC diameter suggestion.
Howdy Kurt!
I will call him today. He is at the shop everyday including weekends unless the Chiefs are playing a day game!
Note that the Dynalite caliper comes in 3 different piston sizes - 1.38", 1.62" and 1.75" so there is probably a way to get a combo that will work with an OE master cylinder. What is Dilly using on his car? I noticed he ditched the brake booster and was running a single master.
As I save my spare change for this upgrade, can you ask Charlie if:
my current SE braided brake lines will work with the Willwood calipers.
anyone has tried the kit with stock MC. I suppose I can be the guinea pig on this. If not recommended, then maybe MC diameter suggestion.
Regarding the brake lines, he said he was able to use the -3 lines that he had on his GSL/SE calipers on the Willwoods. It could be that he has -3 adapter fittings in his GSL/SE calipers. The easy button is to convert the chassis and caliper fitting to male -3 and then buy some pre-made hoses from All Star racing. That is what I did on my car.
Yes, he has sold a kit to someone with a stock master - they were at the runoffs this year. The kit they used had the 1.75 pistons which is what Charlie used on his car with a .75" Tilton Master Cylinder.
He said to call him.......leave a message and he will get back to you if he doesn't answer.
Thanks for the detailed explanation, I really appreciate it. As our cars get older, I'm just trying to keep up on parts availability to lengthen the time I can keep it on the road. With standard size SE rotors still available, I may end up buying an extra set now, though many of the calipers and parts are quickly becoming NLA. Thanks for keeping us up on what's out there, and you guys with track cars might have a closer interest in this,
is there anything better on these than the respeed kit?
The complete kit (hub, rotor and calipers) is lighter, the brake rotors is larger and the caliper is widely available. The RE Speed kit relies completely on OE parts (hubs, rotors and calipers) that are getting harder to find, especially the calipers. Also when it comes to performance and racing brake pads, the Willwood caliper has more options.
Seems like 4X100 would be a good option to have, lots of wheels available in that size.
Agreed. The kit was originally made as a direct replacement for GLS/SE rotors and needed to use a lug pattern common to an RX7. So no 4x100 pattern considered
What is the benefit of this kit? For a track car, less brake fade over a long course or hot days? Easier brake disk replacement? I have zero trouble locking up the front tires when overapplying brakes like an emergency situation, and that's all you can ask for out of any brake rotors, pads, or calipers.
Serious question, as a street driver (*not racer) I'm not seeing the benefit to me, and I live in a desert.
It depends on how and where you drive. I upgraded to these hubs, and designed and built a setup to use 3rd Gen calipers after I over heated my stock brakes on US 128, (Tail of the Dragon). They got so hot I thought they would catch fire! (Lots of corners with no long straights to allow brake cooling)
The advantage to this setup is that it will shed waaay more heat, and is much lighter. True, your brakes will stop on your street tires just fine, once, twice, or a few times but with repetition they will over heat, but these will do it time after time without overheating, corner after corner, time after time, no overheating, no fade.
If you do no aggressive driving then the only benefit is much lighter unsprung weight which will help ride quality and handling,
I highly recommend this setup, Charles is a great guy and does excellent work.
12-06-21, 11:38 AM
