Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes

StopTech BBK

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Old 03-07-10, 05:21 PM
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StopTech BBK

So I’ve been working feverishly on prepping my car (and daily driver) for the upcoming race season and wanted to share some pics I took of my latest upgrade – a StopTech BBK. I considered the Brembo and RacingBrake kit but elected to go StopTech. The perception I gathered with the Brembo’s was they weren’t balanced with the stock rears, plus I couldn’t stomach the $3k for their kit. I also read a lot of great things on HC’s RacingBrake thread, and felt that some of the quality issues pointed out in that thread was due to their initial brake pads, but in the end, it came down to cost. I got a great deal from my friend’s shop for the StopTech BBK, street pads, AND my favorite track pad, Raybestos ST-43 for about $1900-ish (out the door with ridiculous CA tax). Installed them a few weeks ago along with some remanufactured rear calipers and I can’t wait to try these out on the track.
Old 03-07-10, 05:22 PM
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Before pic: Enkei RFP1 17x8.5 with stock calipers.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-before_5.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:23 PM
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The stock calipers with Motul (or ATE) and Raybestos (or Porterfield R4) pads served me well but for the last couple of seasons have been one of the more pronounced weaknesses in the car (besides the driver ). The brakes would be fantastic for the first 10 minutes but would require me to progressively brake earlier as the session went on and/or run 1 lap at ¾ speed every 2-3 laps. I know my tires also contribute to this trailing off of braking performance however I want to ensure I have a solid foundation of brakes and suspension components before moving up to competition tires.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-stock-caliper_rotors_1.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:24 PM
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Stock Brake Pad: 4500 mm^2 (FSM)
StopTech Pad: Looking at the spec sheet (51mm*132mm*90% guesstimattion factor) ~ 6000mm^2. ~33% increase in surface area.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-st-43-vs-stock-pads_2.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:25 PM
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The street pads came with backing plates integrated onto the pads.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-stoptech-street-pads_1.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:26 PM
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StopTech Rotor: 332mm x 32mm
Stock Rotor: 294mm x 22mm
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-stoptech-rotor-vs-stock_1.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:27 PM
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Closeup of the StopTech Rotors
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-stoptech-rotor_closeup.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:27 PM
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Side by Side comparison
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-rotors-side-side.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:28 PM
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Starting to remove the stock bits.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-stock-caliper-removed.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:29 PM
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I upgraded to SS lines years ago so the rubber plugs provided by the StopTech kit wouldn’t have worked. I had some scrap aluminum round-stock so I quickly created a plug to screw into the stock brake line. M10x1mm if anyone wants to know.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-brake-line-removed.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:30 PM
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No leaks when running out for more beer or left overnight.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-no-leaky-mess.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:31 PM
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I noticed late last year that this bushing on my coilover needed to be replaced. Bought a shop press earlier for this and to replace additional rear end bushings.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-worn-coilover-bushing_2.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:32 PM
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First thought was “How is this supposed to fit?!?!?!”
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-stock-caliper-vs-stoptech_1.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:34 PM
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Adapter bracket installed.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-adapter-bracket_1.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:35 PM
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After all is said and done.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-after_3.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:36 PM
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The clearance between the RPF1 internal reinforcement rib and the caliper – not a whole lot but I can see daylight between them.
Attached Thumbnails StopTech BBK-clearance_1.jpg  
Old 03-07-10, 05:59 PM
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Very nice setup. Have you any experience tracking an FD with any BBKs in the past? Im myself am going racingbrake just because I like the fact that the setup is complete front and rear. Do you worry about having bias issues with these huge fronts and factory rears?
Old 03-07-10, 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Rxmfn7
Very nice setup. Have you any experience tracking an FD with any BBKs in the past? Im myself am going racingbrake just because I like the fact that the setup is complete front and rear. Do you worry about having bias issues with these huge fronts and factory rears?
This will be my first season with a big brake kit; only 3 more weeks until we kick things off at Sears Point. I'm not worried about the bias issue since this kit is specifically engineered to be used with the stock rears. StopTech also has a kit for those who have the '99+ rears but they weren't on sale. And even with my MazdaMotorsports discount, the 99+ rear setup ould have cost me around $750 (~$500 calipers, $250 for the rotors), three times the cost of a pair of re-manufactured rear calipers.
Old 03-07-10, 11:06 PM
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needs more track time

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What racing are you doing with the car? Nasa TT?
Old 03-07-10, 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by gracer7-rx7
What racing are you doing with the car? Nasa TT?
I run with Checkered Flag Racing (www.cfra.net) and will be in the time trials and racing competition. Due to the economy, we'll only have 6 events this year so I'm hoping to leech onto another club to get some much needed track time.
Old 03-08-10, 08:45 AM
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Nice choice. I also went with the Stoptech for the same reasons you did. Did you leave the stock backing plate and are you going to do any ducting? I ripped off the stock backing plate and installed some Mazcare backing plates that are fed by my hollowed out indicator lights. I think even with the bigger brakes proper cooling can extend the life of the expensive rotors and pads.



Old 03-08-10, 10:28 AM
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^^^

Got a link to where you bought those backing plates?
Old 03-08-10, 10:42 AM
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Really nice setup there! No, I don't have any ducting and retained the stock backing plates however your setup gives me project ideas for summer. I had been playing around with the idea of using the front turn signals as the intake for a brake ducting setup but it stayed on the back burner since I hadn't installed my GTC front end and wasn't sure if that would be ideal (I'm a bit worried about the fitment with some of the comments on JKL Engineering...). I was figuring I'd design it up such that when I get to the track, I simply remove the signals since it's only held in by one screw and it's a sizeable opening for fresh, cool air.

Where did you get your backing plates?





Originally Posted by Peppy
Nice choice. I also went with the Stoptech for the same reasons you did. Did you leave the stock backing plate and are you going to do any ducting? I ripped off the stock backing plate and installed some Mazcare backing plates that are fed by my hollowed out indicator lights. I think even with the bigger brakes proper cooling can extend the life of the expensive rotors and pads.



Old 03-09-10, 08:08 PM
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very nice bbk!...please let us know how they feel at the track events!...
Old 03-11-10, 12:31 PM
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Nice write up

OP,

Nice write up! BBK is in my future (distant right now) and it is nice seeing some quality kits and installation pics. Please keep us updated on your track sessions and how this kit responded.

Congrats.

Charlie


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