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Big Brake Kit

Old Dec 25, 2015 | 11:36 AM
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Big Brake Kit

Hi, I am working on a Gen 1 RX7 and couldn't find any big brake kits so I made my own with some help from Wilwood. Machined down the stock rotors on my lathe to hold the new 300mm Directional vane rotors. The conversion was actually pretty easy. Haven't had it on the track yet but hoping it works well.

Thought I would share some pictures.





New Vs Old





Used the stock rotor and machined it down on my lathe to accept the new 300mm rotor





The conversion was actually fairly easy.


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Old Dec 26, 2015 | 08:10 PM
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Nice work!
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Old Dec 26, 2015 | 09:39 PM
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Nice , any problems with a pulsation or shimmy from balancing issues. What calipers did you order
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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 11:20 PM
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As I mentioned above I have not hit the track with the new brake system yet. Really don't foresee any balance or pulsation issues but you never know. The rotors are Wilwood GT36 series curved vane design.
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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 11:31 PM
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Big brake Installation picture

The new 15" x 7" wheels just clear the caliper.

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Old Jan 4, 2016 | 04:35 PM
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I really like the look of this!
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Old Jan 4, 2016 | 05:08 PM
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Did you have to make a bracket for the caliper to bolt up.I'm interested in this set up
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Old Jan 4, 2016 | 05:14 PM
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Yes, I did fab a steel bracket that the caliper mounts to.

It turned out really good.

The true test will be at he track the last weekend of January.
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Old Jan 5, 2016 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by samiam888
The true test will be at he track the last weekend of January.
Looks awesome aye! Keen to hear what you think after that session
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Old Jan 5, 2016 | 11:37 AM
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Good stuff man! Looks awesome.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 01:56 PM
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I thought about doing that too. But had decided that being a casted metal (seeing a few rotors come apart) it may not hold up. Then found that KC Raceware makes aluminum hubs and a brake kit.
7's Only ( Home )makes a couple different brake set ups too. Along with A Strut with bigger tubing for a real shock.

I have the 7's only Strut/brake on my car. I ran a smaller rotor so I could use 13in wheels.

I know this is a little late. But you did a great job on it. Looks like it should work.

Last edited by Gian; Jan 6, 2016 at 02:17 PM.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Gian
I thought about doing that too. But had decided that being a casted metal (seeing a few rotors come apart) it may not hold up. Then found that KC Raceware makes aluminum hubs and a brake kit.
7's Only ( Home )makes a couple different brake set ups too. Along with A Strut with bigger tubing for a real shock.

I have the 7's only Strut/brake on my car. I ran a smaller rotor so I could use 13in wheels.

I know this is a little late. But you did a great job on it. Looks like it should work.
No worries. I actually checked with Tom at sevens only and he doesn't make a big brake kit for the first gen. I checked with Mazda Trix, and a couple of others also. Couldn't find what I was looking for. I talked to KC and he was real helpful but his brake upgrade is the same diameter as the stock rotor. THe rules in the class I am racing in allow up to 300mm rotors so that's what I built. My car won't be fast in a straight with the stock 12A and stock exhaust but it should stop really well.

Last edited by samiam888; Jan 6, 2016 at 07:28 PM.
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Old Jan 9, 2016 | 11:31 PM
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What group are you racing with?
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 08:15 AM
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I will be racing in the STL class in the SCCA Major series. Hoping to qualify for the runoffs at Mid Ohio in September. Doesn't look like I will be ready for the first race at Auto Club Speedway with the RX7. I will be there helping my son who will be racing in the Formula Vee class. Hopefully I can get in a test day before round 2 at Willow Springs in mid February.
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Old Jan 19, 2016 | 12:22 PM
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Thumbs up

Wow this is really cool! Also interested in which wilwood caliper you chose! Looking forward to news on any balancing issues, which is also the first thing that came to my mind. Nice work man.
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Old Jan 19, 2016 | 07:22 PM
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Thanks for the nice comments. The folks at Wilwood were really helpful with the engineering on the correct combination of components.

The rotor is factory balanced so I don't foresee any issues like that. Could be others though..... just have to wait and see.

Last edited by samiam888; Jan 19, 2016 at 07:25 PM.
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