• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Fiesta ST Forum and Fiesta ST community dedicated to Fiesta ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Fiesta ST Forum today!


Big brake kits BBK’s

OP
MRX430
Messages
290
Likes
101
Location
Dade City, FL, USA
Thread Starter #41
That is funny I was going to post the same video but we already know he has his mind made up so no point.

I subscribe to three different car magazines and it's interesting seeing how similar braking distances are regardless of the brake package on the vehicle.

Sent from my LG-LS997 using Tapatalk
Go tell everyone with a balanced BBK they wasted their money. I’ve never seen either of you post or espouse that a balanced BBK is pointless. Similar braking distances after how many attempts and over what time frame? Put down the car mags and pick up Physics for Dummies.
 


OP
MRX430
Messages
290
Likes
101
Location
Dade City, FL, USA
Thread Starter #42
Oh I love my Stoptechs. Only issues is finding wheels that fit without spacers. Luckily my TD's fit without spacers with plenty room to spare
Do they stop better once and/or multiple times compared to stock?
 


OP
MRX430
Messages
290
Likes
101
Location
Dade City, FL, USA
Thread Starter #43
One reason I didn't get thje Wilwood BBK is the stories of people melting pistons because it has no dust seals for the pistons
I think that had more to do with the rotors being too thin. The Spec 37 rotors are more capable.
 


Last edited:
Messages
77
Likes
38
Location
Canada
#46
Personally, not a fan of the Wilwood BBK depending on the intended application. If you are going to be doing frequent pad changes for track days, etc. I would look for something with a removable bridge. Removing the caliper every time can become a pain. The other draw back is the Wilwood calipers don't have dust boots, so can at times require additional service.

The other go to BBK from what I found is the Stoptech kit. The Stoptech BBK allows for the bridge to be removed for frequent pad changes. The issue I found with the Stoptech kit is that depending on the track and how hard you are on the brakes you can melt/cook the dust boots. A possible solution would be to add a titanium shim and/or improved brake cooling.
 


shouldbeasy

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,469
Likes
824
Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
#47
The Wilwoods are lighter than stock and have rear rotors and calipers. Larger diameter rotors with calipers that have more clamping area and force have a better mechanical advantage over smaller diameter rotors and inferior calipers. I also run Dunlop Direzza ZIII’s so tired aren’t an issue. Nice try though (not really)
Good to see you actually understand the physics behind 'I WANT A BBK!!!'

Some good ol' 275's gonna make it on to your car? No? Oh... well, then your tires are still the only thing contacting the ground so perhaps you should look at increasing the tire contact patch BEFORE installing massive brakes you don't need.

If you don't run this car on tracks, well you just spent money for nothing.
 


OP
MRX430
Messages
290
Likes
101
Location
Dade City, FL, USA
Thread Starter #48
Good to see you actually understand the physics behind 'I WANT A BBK!!!'

Some good ol' 275's gonna make it on to your car? No? Oh... well, then your tires are still the only thing contacting the ground so perhaps you should look at increasing the tire contact patch BEFORE installing massive brakes you don't need.

If you don't run this car on tracks, well you just spent money for nothing.
Smile!
 


TDavis

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,435
Likes
1,149
Location
Columbia
#49
All the hubub about bigger brakes won't stop your car faster, tires help too, blah blah blah. Not saying its not true but if the man has the money to spend it, let him get a BBK. I tell my FiST friends that stock brakes are pretty good for what they are but if you have the money or track it alot get a BBK because in the end, my Stoptech BBK stops MUCH better and better pedal feel then stock.

I got my Stoptech BBK because I got it for a steal brand new from a member on here. Otherwise, I would've saved for the Brembo kit. If the Brembo kit and Stoptech was the same price I'd get Brembo just because its Brembo. I'm loving my Stoptech kit though. Easy, cheap pad removal and replacement. The rotor rings aren't that bad either.

Also, I agree with Woods, the weight is about the same as stock which is impressive considering the caliper and rotor size. You never understand the size of a BBK until you have it in your hands
 


Messages
92
Likes
122
Location
Albany, NY, USA
#50
I run the vmaxx kit and not only is it 20 less pounds of unsprung weight, i was cooking the stock brakes, calipers turned white, with rbf600 the pedal Progressively got softer though the day and brakeing was so inconsistent it gave me no confidence because my brake point was changeing every lap. Issue I ran into after the brake kit was the change in the brake Bias. The SVat rear upgrade fixed that. But yes. One stop your brakes are only as good as your tires can hold traction.. but after 25 min on track and the smaller stock rotors can’t dissipate heat it’s going to go down hill. All your aiming for with a BBK is a consistent petal through out the session.
 


Woods247

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,527
Likes
4,401
Location
Atl
#51
Stock Fiesta ST brakes fade faster than big brakes on race tracks. And all Federal tires suck. That’s my PSA to the internet car people today.
 


Messages
92
Likes
122
Location
Albany, NY, USA
#52
Stock Fiesta ST brakes fade faster than big brakes on race tracks. And all Federal tires suck. That’s my PSA to the internet car people today.
I agree with the fade, but not with the federal part, the 595RS-RR’s are a pretty Good, cost effective tire that heat cycles well and gives lists of life.. also doesn’t fall off half way though the tread wear. Makes a great novice tire and also a rain option as well imo
 


Woods247

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,527
Likes
4,401
Location
Atl
#53
I agree with the fade, but not with the federal part, the 595RS-RR’s are a pretty Good, cost effective tire that heat cycles well and gives lists of life.. also doesn’t fall off half way though the tread wear. Makes a great novice tire and also a rain option as well imo
I have experience with the RSR and RS Pro and I’m just not a fan. Perhaps it’s my driving style and/or environment. Tire discussions are a total waste of time though haha. They’re subjective whereas bigger brakes being superior for their intended purpose isn’t. I have no clue why anyone would argue in favor of stock Fiesta brakes over any of the available bbks if heavy use is the driver’s intention. They’re phenomenal street brakes, however. I thought the red calipers that came with my car looked good too.
 


shouldbeasy

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,469
Likes
824
Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
#54
I have experience with the RSR and RS Pro and I’m just not a fan. Perhaps it’s my driving style and/or environment. Tire discussions are a total waste of time though haha. They’re subjective whereas bigger brakes being superior for their intended purpose isn’t. I have no clue why anyone would argue in favor of stock Fiesta brakes over any of the available bbks if heavy use is the driver’s intention. They’re phenomenal street brakes, however. I thought the red calipers that came with my car looked good too.
I think that's the crux of this discussion - if you track your car, big brake kits are great.

If you don't track your car, they're a waste of money. Add more aggressive pads and change the brake fluid and the stock calipers hold up well for Auto-X and even the occasional track day. They simply help you stop quicker when you're hammering on them time and time again.

I know it's damn near impossible to do but I'd be very, very curious to see a big brake kit comparison to stock with a braking test while the car has the same tires - just in a one off brake test, I already know who 'wins' if its repeat-ability we're judging.
 


OP
MRX430
Messages
290
Likes
101
Location
Dade City, FL, USA
Thread Starter #55
Since I started this thread I will end my comments with this:
Wilwood front & rear BBK with Spec 37 rotors and Polymatrix pads. This is the kit I wasted my money on and it feels great to be rid of the shite stock calipers on both ends. Cheers!
 


Mikey456

Active member
Messages
672
Likes
406
Location
Los Angeles
#56
I think that's the crux of this discussion - if you track your car, big brake kits are great.

If you don't track your car, they're a waste of money. Add more aggressive pads and change the brake fluid and the stock calipers hold up well for Auto-X and even the occasional track day. They simply help you stop quicker when you're hammering on them time and time again.

I know it's damn near impossible to do but I'd be very, very curious to see a big brake kit comparison to stock with a braking test while the car has the same tires - just in a one off brake test, I already know who 'wins' if its repeat-ability we're judging.
Are the rear bigger SVT rotors worth it for a street/ occasional canyon driven car? I heard they provide a bit more balance in braking or is that just in extreme (hard braking) conditions?
 


shouldbeasy

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,469
Likes
824
Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
#57
Are the rear bigger SVT rotors worth it for a street/ occasional canyon driven car? I heard they provide a bit more balance in braking or is that just in extreme (hard braking) conditions?
Can't vouch for the effectiveness of them but the physics should indicate that there is a larger stopping force on the rear due to the larger rotor which may stop the back end of the car from rotating which gives it a more planted feel. It's a upgrade I'm considering just to modify the nose dive on hard braking.

I don't have any tracks around me so I don't need a big brake kit.
 


shouldbeasy

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,469
Likes
824
Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
#58
Since I started this thread I will end my comments with this:
Wilwood front & rear BBK with Spec 37 rotors and Polymatrix pads. This is the kit I wasted my money on and it feels great to be rid of the shite stock calipers on both ends. Cheers!
You're delusional if you think the stock set up is 'shite'.

Contrary to your personal belief, the stock brakes are quite good. They're certainly good enough to trigger ABS which puts the tire as the limiting factor of the braking distances.

What is the intended purpose of your build? I know there are a lot of drag strips in Florida, many road courses?
 


Messages
190
Likes
133
Location
Michigan
#59
Can't vouch for the effectiveness of them but the physics should indicate that there is a larger stopping force on the rear due to the larger rotor which may stop the back end of the car from rotating which gives it a more planted feel. It's a upgrade I'm considering just to modify the nose dive on hard braking.

I don't have any tracks around me so I don't need a big brake kit.
Actually, increasing the brake bias to the rear will increase rotation/instability when braking but that instability and increased rotation will help get the car turned into a corner whereas a brake setup with more front bias will increase braking stability but it will have more of a tendency to understeer or push on corner entry.

https://www.brakes-shop.com/brakepedia/general/brake-bias-and-performance

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
 


Messages
92
Likes
122
Location
Albany, NY, USA
#60
The SVT rears are most definitely a good idea if you have upgraded the fronts to a bbk because the bias is so far out of wack.. I only went to the 290mm vmaxx kit on the front and was running into some issues under hard braking. Very squirrelly almost running me off track in a straight line once under hard brakeing. The SVT rear rotor and motorcraft high dust rear pad fixed that issue. I was not looking for the rears to grab harder with a more aggressive compound pad, just the added leverage of the bigger rotor to bring the bias back to where it needed to be. As for Florida Daytona and Sebring are two of the bigger road courses, I’m sure there are more as well.
 


Similar threads



Top