This is topic Which Brembo's to Buy?? in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000256
Posted by 01Saleen146 (Member # 885) on :
 
I want to ditch the crappy OEM brakes ASAP and am already sold on Brembo. My dilemma is which ones to buy. I am torn between their 13"/4 piston brakes which from Steeda only run about $1200. I really want the biggest, baddest brakes I can put on the car so the Gran Turismo 14"/4 piston set has my eye. Of course it is around $3200!!

Any opinions? Is that extra inch and a two piece rotor really worth all that money? I haven't seen any comparisons on stopping distance, but I don't want to regret getting the less capable of the two down the road. I had originally thought about Saleen brakes to keep the car as "pure" as I could, but then discovered Brembo makes them anyway.

http://www.steeda.com/-hotnews/press/14inchbrakes.htm

vs.

http://www.steeda.com/store/-catalog/brembobrakes.htm

Thanks in advance.

Kev
 

Posted by j0k3r (Member # 826) on :
 
Do you go to the track often or is this mostly your daily driver? 13's if it's your daily and 14's if you track it a lot.
 
Posted by 01Saleen146 (Member # 885) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by j0k3r:
Do you go to the track often or is this mostly your daily driver? 13's if it's your daily and 14's if you track it a lot.

Haven't been to the track yet. Actually I won't until I get some kind of decent brakes.
 

Posted by j0k3r (Member # 826) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 01Saleen146:

Haven't been to the track yet. Actually I won't until I get some kind of decent brakes.

You are underestimating your stock Saleen setup. You would be doing yourself a favor by picking up some Hawk pads. You won't need much more than that.
 

Posted by VortechSaleen (Member # 316) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by j0k3r:

You are underestimating your stock Saleen setup. You would be doing yourself a favor by picking up some Hawk pads. You won't need much more than that.


I agree, but the Saleen brake upgrade isn't standard. I'm guessing he has the stock GT brakes still.
 

Posted by 2000BlackGT (Member # 283) on :
 
I bought the bullit brake setup with teh 13" cross drilled/slotted rotors and i absolutely love them. I don't think id ever really need more than that
 
Posted by DennisG (Member # 163) on :
 
The Saleen brakes are made by Alcon.

They are a big difference, but be prepared to bend over when its time for new pads. Although mine are still good, I've heard you can only get the pads through Saleen and they (of course) charge big bucks. That's what I've heard, not sure if its correct.
The down side is the pads create major brake dust , which in turn requires you to clean the front wheels almost everytime you stop...the price you pay for soft pads I guess.
 

Posted by stanger91 (Member # 397) on :
 
screw brembo, get baer. i sell all different kinds of brake kits including the bullitt brakes. let me know i will hook it up.
 
Posted by roseville5oh (Member # 406) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by stanger91:
screw brembo, get baer. i sell all different kinds of brake kits including the bullitt brakes. let me know i will hook it up.

Stanger91 - what are your reasons to go Baer over brembo? I recently purchased (from a friend) brembo 4 piston calipers, 13" cross drilled front/11.?" rear rotors for $500. For what I paid, and the rest of the stuff I have to buy, should I have gone with a new kit? I've heard good stuff about Baer. What are prices like? Also, would you carry the rest of the parts I need, such as rear calipers, master cylinder, booster, etc?

Thanks,

Eric
 

Posted by Wolfie351 (Member # 651) on :
 
I think the general consensus is that the Baer or Cobra PBRs are plenty for street and occasional track use. If it's going to be used on a '01 Saleen, be sure to check wheel clearances with their template before buying. Do a search on deja and you'll read stories about people buying the 13" Brembo kit only to have their Saleen wheels hit the caliper. While Saleen does get their kit from Brembo, I think it might be somewhat different. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

But hey, if you've got the cash for 14" brakes, I say go for it.
 

Posted by Stan (Member # 890) on :
 
I have run the Brembo "Cobra R" set up for over 800 laps at Thunderhill and Sears Point. Using Hawk HPS and Hawk HP+ pads. Not one hint of brake propblems. The only issue was the need to upgrade the rears to the standard Cobra setup. I really don't think you would ever need anything larger than 13" rotors and 4 piston calipers, unless you build your car to an all out track car.

Stan
 

Posted by 01Saleen146 (Member # 885) on :
 
Wow, this is great - didn't expect this many replies. I can't find it here which means it is at home, but the sales rep from Brembo assured me the 14's will fit. He also said they make the Cobra brakes as well as the Saleen brakes. I had read where Saleen used Alcons as well, so I am assuming lowest bidder gets it or something like that. Maybe he stopped using Alcon bcz Roush uses them now...

As far as the track I love Saleen's stock setup, but my car does have the crappy GT brakes. They warp faster than anything I have ever seen. Had the same problem on my 98.

In terms of brand I am really sold on Brembo and don't see myself buying anyone else's stuff. I have also read uncorroberated threads on other sites where Baer had some recent issues with warping. They didn't offer any proof so I took it with a grain of salt.

I'll double check the clearance template, but Steeda also sells the kit and separately told me it will work.

I just wish there was a place to find stopping distance and fade data comparing 14's to 13's. I know with brakes bigger is better, but for twice the price.... I just want to be sure it is worth it.

Thanks for all the help!

Kev

P.S. - Stan, I have seen others recommend Hawk pads with the Brembo setup. How are they on dusting? Even though I will run this car on a track one day - I want to be able to drive it around town without the wheels being black by the time I get where I am going. Thanks.
 

Posted by DennisG (Member # 163) on :
 
Saleen must have changed vendors again for 2001. My brakes have Alcon engraved on the calipers, but my car is a 2000. Probably just another case of a vendor getting p.o.'d at Saleen.
 
Posted by 01Saleen146 (Member # 885) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by DennisG:
Saleen must have changed vendors again for 2001. My brakes have Alcon engraved on the calipers, but my car is a 2000. Probably just another case of a vendor getting p.o.'d at Saleen.


Or they are both available. There are two different 13" sets with 4 piston calipers for sale on Saleen.com. One is about $1200 and the other (the Premium) is about $2000. Who knows....
 

Posted by Stan (Member # 890) on :
 
01Saleen146>>Kev, here is a link to a pic with light brake dust on one of my white wheels. Go to the last pic in the album.

Brake dust

Actually it is not that bad on the street, that is from a run at T-Hill where I ran for 90 minutes with only one stop for fuel. I was also on street tires because there was a chance for rain.

Stan
 

Posted by DennisG (Member # 163) on :
 
Hey Stan....nice truck!! Same color as mine!
 
Posted by Stan (Member # 890) on :
 
Dennis, cool. I heard that silver is the fastest. Although it is back at the dealer because of the "marbles in the engine" sound. Service manager says it is definetly not a normal sound. At idle it sounds like a diesel motor. Seems quite a few of the '02's are developing this problem.

Stan
 

Posted by DennisG (Member # 163) on :
 
hmmm..not good. I know some of the 2nd gen. owners have been reporting a cold engine knock, but most people say it goes away when its warmed up. Keep me posted if you don't mind, I'd like to hear what they say.
 
Posted by WIKD 281 (Member # 40) on :
 
Whats up Dennis?

I think that cold engine knock is standard on all of the later ford engines. I had the cold engine knock with my 98 and my 99 pickups with the 5.4.
My cobra and everyone of my friends cars when at startup will knock for a few seconds untill the oil starts flowing.
 

Posted by Stan (Member # 890) on :
 
Unfortunetly mine is not a cold engine knock, in fact it gets worse after it warms up.

Stan
 

Posted by j0k3r (Member # 826) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Stan:
Unfortunetly mine is not a cold engine knock, in fact it gets worse after it warms up.

Stan

I actually heard something about that being a valve problem and not really a true "knock". Habe you heard anything more about it?
 

Posted by 01Saleen146 (Member # 885) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Stan:
01Saleen146>>Kev, here is a link to a pic with light brake dust on one of my white wheels. Go to the last pic in the album.

Brake dust

Actually it is not that bad on the street, that is from a run at T-Hill where I ran for 90 minutes with only one stop for fuel. I was also on street tires because there was a chance for rain.

Stan

Okay, I am officially jealous! Those are some sweet rides Stan! I love the twin stripes on the Saleen.

STOKED: Thanks for the tip. I'll check those out.

Whatever I decide, I'll make sure to get some pics and post them. Appreciate all the help.
 

Posted by SlipNslide281 (Member # 622) on :
 
quote:
The down side is the pads create major brake dust , which in turn requires you to clean the front wheels almost everytime you stop...the price you pay for soft pads I guess.

I will vouch for Break dust. I have to clean my front wheels every 2 days. My rims turn black from so much break dust. They also squeek. I took it back to Fremont ford and the Saleen team (purple team)said it is a problem that saleen is working on. I try to down shift as often as I can to try to keep my wheels clean.. Pathetic..huh?
 

Posted by croushn (Member # 789) on :
 
stanger91, what kind of baer kits do you sell? can you give me some info. on the baer 13" crossdrilled/slotted kit for a '00? i'm planning to buy the kit tomorrow, but if you give me a good price i can go to el dorado hills and buy it from you.thanks
 
Posted by on :
 

 




Fueled by Ford Mustang Owners
on CaliforniaFords.com