Cheers Ian, very interested read...

I wouldn't say I'm put off by what they've said here as I know my brakes are top notch for a car of my spec, over kill for sure. I'd love to see the braking performance of the 4 pots against my 6 pots... Just feel a bit off because I was told they were race calipers etc a few years ago but they're not - but again, reading your notes this seems to be a positive, not a negative as they're built for a road car and dont expect to be rebuilt/repaired.

Nice to hear something on my motor will cost me less to run for once...adds bit more fuel for road miles

Oh, as said previously (which agrees with your notes), the only time I've seen 4 pots out perform 6 pots is when they're solid cast items instead of 2 split - R1 v Zx9 for example.

Cheers

Swiss Toni

 

One other difference is the weight. According to the AP catalogue the two race calipers are significantly lighter, CP5570 is 2.4kg, CP5555 is 2.8kg but the road derived CP7040 caliper is 3.7kg. But again I would think this is a theoretical benefit for 99% of us rather than something we would even notice.

Swiss Toni - I sort of suspect from your posts that you're seriously impressed with your brakes, so what pads are you running in these brakes? That's another thing which nobody's mentioned, the biggest brakes in the world may give you huge resistance to fade due to heat. But if you run the wrong pads on the road they will feel wooden and unresponsive until red hot which will never happen on the way to Tesco's.

 

I'd have to agree, when I pulled my "what I thought was race spec kit out of the box" kit before my friendly garage fitted them, I thought they weighed way less than the oe kit (be that calipers or discs) ...even being loads bigger, plus the 19 " OZ wheels which seems loads less also...if any difference I'll just skip the Keeer-bab?

 

My understanding was that every 1GH saved at the unsprung weight = 10kg saved in the care, therefore if your saving 2kg by having lighter disks or wheels it's the same as removing 20KG from the car, is this the case?

 

Hence why I went for the 4pot 330mm AP kit. Lower unsprung weight and cheap huge choice pads. These stop like nothing I've experienced, infact after a sustained run with many heavy, eye popping, stops my head hurts..

 

Maybe, but I'm sure I saved a decent weight over standard anyway as discs and calipers both felt a decent level lighter than the oe stuff and so did the wheels.

 

Straight from the horses mouth....


There is no doubt that a bigger disc will give a better brake performance,the 6 piston caliper has more pad area available to make an improved feel.It may be that as the smaller kit uses a smaller wheel this makes animprovement to the feel and handling of the car. Best regards Kevin McDonnellRace engineer

 

[QUOTE=Swiss Toni - I sort of suspect from your posts that you're seriously impressed with your brakes, so what pads are you running in these brakes? That's another thing which nobody's mentioned, the biggest brakes in the world may give you huge resistance to fade due to heat. But if you run the wrong pads on the road they will feel wooden and unresponsive until red hot which will never happen on the way to Tesco's.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, forgot to reply to this...pads are still what came with the kit, so whatever AP used a could of years ago...

 

Recent AP kits come with DS2500 as standard. Prior to this I believe they came with Pagid RS421 (Black). I've switched to Pagid RS42 (Blue) in my 330mm 6 pots for track. RS42 gives a bit more bite and heat tolerance than DS2500.

 

Might be, not sure, but I do like the initial bite (even from cold) and how little effort it takes to get her pulling up the tarmac.

 

Where is the best place to get a AP kit from for a race car on 17" wheels?

 

Only thing wrong with the AP kits is the fact they come with DS2500 pads, Theyre dogsh1t and useless for anything other than going to the shops in my experience.

I have the 356mm kit with the 7040 caliper and after a whole load of funking about with Alcons, (w@nkers) im really pleased with the AP kit.

I certainly wouldnt trade them for anything else.

 

Hmm, I must have the older pads then as no complaints with my brakes, even at 130+ and heavy braking (not on uk roads of course )...

Do like the look...

Whats the skirt thing at the front bumper bottom?

 

Skirt thing is part of the bumper mate. Its a prodrive edition so comes with the prodrive bumper.

 

what pads do you use frayz?
is it possible to get performance friction discs/pads on ap calipers?
martin

 

There's nowt wrong with the discs - cast iron jobs so stopping isn't a problem...

I'm sure I've got the older pads as I've not got any brake feel or performance issues hot or cold - look at previous replies as lists couple of pads you can try.

 

I have some Pagid RS29 in there at the mo mate, but i havent bedded them in yet.

Im sure PF do pads that fit the CP-7040.

 

Frayz,

I can't say a thing bad about the DS2500's in my AP 4pots/330. I can honestly say that it would be impossible to find their limit on the road (I have tired )..! I can only assume you're referring to them on track, which maybe would be a different matter, although I can't see how it would be from my experience.

Could it be the heavier CP7040 holds/generates more heat..?

Just finding it hard to find any area where my kit isn't sensational..!

 

iirc Frayz found the limit of DS2500s on the road

 

Yes i did find the limits of these on the road. They have been checked time and time again for correct bedding, proper seating, contamination etc.

Not only by myself but by Mocom Racing too.

Simple fact of the matter is, theyre not up to my usage.

I know other people swear by them but i just cant get on with them. I guess it all depends how hard you push your car.

 

If we're talking DS2500's then i have to agree..... changed mine very quickly as i found them very poor at speed.

 

jasonius, where did you buy and get those fitted?

 

Mike at Scoobymania sorted me out. Had them fitted there too, as although I've done similar before myself, I felt happier spending a few ££ extra to ensure things were done properly (also covered should any probs arise..)

I've been blown away by them TBH, by far the best mod I've done, even if they are the costliest..!

Am I right in thinking you're finally getting somewhere with your Stoptechs..?

 

Your car's conciderably lighter than mine mate, now imagine them on a lardy newage lol

Scarey!!

 

there has to be a reason why some get on with DS2500's and some don't..?

The only thing I can think of is that you drive at 10/10ths all the time as I've given my current setup a sustained short sprint-brake workout, >NSL and they just get better and better (I'm not saying this is anything like a track workout, but IMHO you couldn't safely push any harder on the road).

Weight for my newage <1350kgs..

As before, I wonder if it's caliper design..?

 

Sort of, its another long story! LOL.
But yes i have to phone someone this week, then visit them at their garage, and they will look at them for me. I also have red paint that has just flaked off the nearside caliper too! A major FFS when i saw that. Its a massive bit at least 20 to 25 mm square has vanished. And most of the StopTech logo with it. What with the clicking noise and that, i am well peeved.

 

TBH jasonius, i may just bite the bullet and get someat else fitted. I have heard enough boll***s about my car being the problem to last me a lifetime. ITs the hubs apparantly! Yeah right, i am sure it is! Hahaha.

 

Race spec calipers tend to rattle. Quite normal. Can be fixed by fitting anti-knock off springs behind pistons.

 

Until you actually have them looked at by someone who knows what they are doing you'll never get to the bottom of the problem. Have you had them looked at yet? IIRC this goes back quite some time.

Zen Performance use these on their Time Attack winning racecar. I am sure they wouldn't use or fit any substandard parts.

Bob

 

BOB'5 i quite agree. I was at one time booked in with Paul to have him look at them but due to work i had to cancel. I never did owt about it till now, but i have now been through StopTech themselves and so am following their advice. Hence the garage i am going to is one of their recommended who has agreed to have a look for me. I think its going to be a sticky situation in that they will blame my hub design, WRX hubs, and then if not that, it will be cost prohibitive, so tbh, i am already looking at other alternatives and these can go in the bin. I have had my hubs done in the past at great expense, i am not doing the same again when i have no other symptoms with my car apart from the brakes. But you are correct, StopTech have a deserved good reputation, and many Subaru owners have them. I am (like normal) the unlucky **** who gets all the aggro with them.