Brake upgrades, suggestions on rotors?

[matty]

I am looking at upgrading my brakes, right now on my '06 GT the brakes are stock and have been decent for everyday purposes however I really noticed their shortcomings this past weekend when I took it out to a road course and was able to put them to the test. Along with brake fade I also found that they simply did not grab as well as I had hoped and from about 75 mph it took nearly 170 feet to stop.

I've looked at quite a few different brands but am not sure as to which would be the best combination for my car (without negatively impacting everyday driving, noise etc.). I'm interested in a new set of rotors and pads to match (I’m leaning towards the Hawk HPS pads, but have also been told that EBC's redstuff pads are good too) and possibly any other upgrades you might suggest. Do you have any suggestions on other products would you recommend for my everyday driver including the snowy Canadian winters (but that I also road race)?

I've looked at a few different brands of rotors but to be honest everyone seems to say which ever brand they carry (or push hardest) is the best; I've looked at Baer Decelarotors, DBA brake rotors, Stoptech rotors (or their stage 2 kit ), EBC rotors, rotorpros rotors and to be honest I'm confused.

Any suggestions would be great,

Thanks again,

Matt

 

[walter]

on the cheap (but somewhat wasteful)
Hawk HPS pads, Slotted Rotors, and Stainless steel braided lines.

better you could try and upgrade to GT500 brembo units (used ones are cheap), or find if there's any left of the Saleen big brake kits for about 900 bucks.

 

[matty]

Thanks, those are both good options I think - although I must be looking in the wrong places since I haven't come across any great deals on used GT500 kits nor Saleen kits (under $1000). Any suggestions on where I should be looking?

Also my only concern is that if I'm not mistaken for either kit you need at least 18" rims and replacing my rims with 18's and getting studded nokian's in 18's would cost a fair bit (probably ~$1000 for the tires plus whatever the rims cost - I'm guessing they'll be about another $300 - $400). So taking the extra costs of my winter tires into account I'm not sure if it's worth it.

 

[SpartaPerformance]

If you feel like splurging SSBC has an excellent kit that will fit 17" rims. The kit includes 3 piston calipers with slotted directional rotors for $1,295.

 

[walter]

I found my Saleen/Stoptechs' on Ebay. You could try this site, Buy Ford Racing Parts! or also on ebay for some used kits for cheap. And to answer your question yes you need 18in wheels with proper backspacing for caliper clearance. Reason why I got two big heavy boxes in the middle of my living room while I find the cash to buy some wheels to go with the contents.

 

[matty]

I just took a look at the SSBC website and the three piston kit for the front that is $1295 looks awesome and fits 17" rims except it says "will not fit factory 17" Bullitt wheels". I got really excited there.

 

[matty]

If I opt to go for the new Hawk pads and a set of powerslot rotos would you say that stainless steel/braided cables are something that I really should do, or would you guys suggest that I try out the new pads and rotors and then later on get the new lines or would it just be best do it all at once (and keeping in mind I'm trying to keep things as low cost as possible).

Thanks,
Matt

 

[orange 07]

I road race my car also. One to two times per year. I prefer to use the same pads for both track and street.
With my stock brakes I only added cooling ducts with EBC reds and they worked very well.
Through my experience all the hawk pads, (unless you go to the track pads like the blue's) belong only on the street as they cant take much heat. I Would get the EBC Yellow and leave the stock rotors. There cheep to replace. Use the money you save meanwhile to get GT500 Brembos. There worth it.