Calling all ITR experts-

I've searched and need a little help.

It seems I've out-grown my stock ITR braking system. As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of the OEM ITR brakes and they work great... up to a point.

The ITR brakes have performed flawlessly for the 20-30 minutes sprint races and I've never had a failure in the 6 years racing on them, but it now seems I need more.

<U>Background-</U>

I race the Exedy K20a powered ITR in NASA's Performance Touring A class. I race against a lot of heavy hitters including Corvettes zo6's and LS1's, Mustangs of all flavors, BMW M3's, a few SCCA E-prod cars and the like.

My ITR can match top-end with most of the above, but give up a lot of ground on corner exit (150lbs of tq.), So, I need to make up that distance somewhere else... in the braking zones. I can brake with my competitors but I need to improve that phase going into 09.

I'm confident all the kits bellow will work with my 17x8 RPF1 wheels.

<U>Question-</U>

The following are on my possible list.

<U>Brembo-</U>
http://www.brembo.com/Catalogo...Guest

<U>Stoptech-</U>
http://www.stoptech.com/products/BBK/summary.shtml

<U>Baer</U>
http://www.baer.com/products/complete/pro-plus.php

<U>Acura TL OEM Brembo offerings-</U>


Brembo's drawbacks-
1. Pad size small- 350z pads
2. Custom rotors/ hats $240 per rotor.
3. DBA doesn't offer a rotor
Pros- cheap purchase price (&gt;2K) and a direct bolt-on

Stoptech drawbacks-
1. Cost 2K plus to buy
2. Custom rotors/ hats $230 per rotor
3. DBA doesn't offer a rotor
4. 5-6 weeks to build
Pros- maybe the best set-up and a direct bolt-on.

Baer drawbacks-
1. They're still looking into it, should have specifics to me next week.
Pros- huge pad/ rotor and nice quality with a good racing rep.

Acura OEM brembo stuff-
I can get the Acura brembos calipers cheap but don't know the details. What do I need to make them work on an ITR? Can someone tell me how these can work with a link and possible details?

I'm not interested in the following.
1. Spoons calipers (seen too many issue at the track and not big enough rotor).
2. Fast brakes- I don't want a pieced together one-off kit. It must be a mass-produced* kit from a name brand supplier with little custom fab required.
3. Wilwoods- (again, seen too many issues and too much custom fab stuff).

Thoughts and thanks!

edit for typo and link adjustment...




Modified by JohnW at 10:13 AM 10/24/2008

 

Who's your brake pad sponser now? Have you talked to them about different/more agressive pads?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Who's your brake pad sponser now? Have you talked to them about different/more agressive pads?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hi Dave-

Carbotech, for 6 years running. You should know that!

I need more trq and force than my ITR caliper can deliver.

Example- I could out brake Beau D. (very fast #68 American Iron mustang driver in NASA's Mid-atlantic region) in 2007. He had 12inch Wilwoods.

This year Beau changed to 13inch Stoptech's BBK and he goes past marker 3 at Summit. That is deep, deep for a big heavy rustang. My ITR set-up only goes so far. I can still match that, but can't pass him going into T1 like I did last year.

I need more braking force!

Thanks!

 

Sounds like cost is going to go up, any route you choose.

That being said, I've only heard good things about Stoptech.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like cost is going to go up, any route you choose.

That being said, I've only heard good things about Stoptech.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm also impressed with Stoptech & Performance Friction. They seem to know a lot about brakes and the quality is awesome.
http://www.stoptech.com/satisf...shtml

P.F. also does custom monoblock clappers for <U>anything</U>, (they do CHAMP cars) but are $$$$$$'s.



Modified by The Dude at 9:06 AM 10/24/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like cost is going to go up, any route you choose.

That being said, I've only heard good things about Stoptech.</TD></TR></TABLE>
My thoughts as well. Of that list, I have heard many good things on the StopTech set up. I have never had a chance to use them myself though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like cost is going to go up, any route you choose.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Some more than others-

The Stoptech (brembo, too) price tag is strong, but the extra hats and rotor costs are what bug the crap out of me. It feels like they gotcha with the purchase, so lets now soak 'em for every penny.

Stoptech/ Brembo - $500 bucks for a spare set of rotors and a few hundred more for spare hats and hardware. We're talking $750-800 bucks for "spares"!

In this economy you'd think they'd be a bit more flexible... they ain't.

Anyone know anything about the Acura Brembo stuff????

I know speed costs money but damn.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Anyone know anything about the Acura Brembo stuff????
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I think they perform about the same as stock ITR, but pads are much eaiser to change.

 

Gotta pay, to play!!!

You want more brakes, then the "replacements" cost goes WAY up. Exactly why I haven't looked into any setups like those mentioned.

BUT, I'd be willing to bet they'd do what your lookin for.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The Dude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I think they perform about the same as stock ITR. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks.

Yeah, I got a IM from another that said the Acura Brembo TL set-up sucks. Has anyone tired the RL set-up on an ITR.

The RL's calipers get pricey, even at dealer cost. Then you have a huge heavy rotor, too.

Anyone else?

Does anyone here race one of these set-ups???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Gotta pay, to play!!!

BUT, I'd be willing to bet they'd do what your lookin for. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Roger that, Dave.

$toptechs are what I'm leaning towards. Unless, I get a deal from Baer or Brembo, IM: Sponsorship.

I think I'll wait until after the new year if I have to buy. I suspect retail sales are gonna suck this Holiday season and retailers will have huge discounts in Jan. & Feb. just to keep the lights on. Maybe Stoptech will be a little more price friendly after Jan 1st. It's worth a try.

Anyone else with first hand info??????

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Calling all ITR experts-</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm no expert but i suggest contacting user name BrakeExpert on here... He's the man when it comes to oem braking combos and aftermarket braking systems... Good luck!

p.s. When are you racing local, i'd love to come down to pa to see some races...

 

Mikehonda runs Stoptech on his ITR, might want to get in touch with him. He has run on all types of brake set ups so he would be my go to guy on the subject.

Johnw what offset does your 17x8 rims have?

 

Another company to look at and research would be Endless. They make a beautiful forged 4-Pot caliper for the Type R, are mass produced, super lightweight, and utilize the stock rotor if desired which opens up a slew of possibilities for consumables. The only question is does / can Carbotech have / make a pad for this design?

No doubt these will out-stop and modulate better than OEM, by leaps and bounds.

Endless =

Just another option to research. They can be purchased as a "big brake kit" which gives you calipers, lines, ZEAL slotted rotors, and endless circuit pads (which you don't need), but Endless also sells just a "brake kit" which is comprised of calipers and lines. From there, you can use any brand of OEM sized rotor you want. OR ... you can do the one-up kit and go for a 12.10 rotor. There are options at least ....

They might cost a bit up front, but consumables (rotors) can be as cheap as you want them to be.

http://www.modacar.com/product....html

Just my $0.02

Cheers.

 

I'm working on an '05+ Acura RL 4-piston caliper setup using a stoptech floating rotor to save a little weight. The pad size on the RL calipers is much larger than the brembos, although currently there is not a lot of support for race pads I expect this will change in the near future. The caliper is made by Advics.

Also, you can use 11.8" RSX rotors (to fit 16" wheels) or 12.6" RL rotors (probably need 17" wheels).

I got the calipers slightly used on ebay for under $250 shipped.

Downside: If you're not handy in fabricating some brackets this isn't really an option. I was told that fastbrakes may be making an adapter.

Upside: OEM quality, pads always available, easily replaceable. Also, the bracket is fairly easy to make because these calipers are radial mounted.

Check out what brakeexpert did on a civic:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2071969

Or a cheaper solution would be NSX/Legend 2-pistons on 28mm thick Legend rotors (I'll be selling my set when I get the RL setup done )

 

Thanks all.

There sure are a bunch of really knowledgeable folks on H-T.

I have a few leads, but feel free to continue the ideas/ conversation.

JW

 

john check this out!

http://endlessusa.com/category.php?c=brakecaliper

 

Have you considered Wilwood?

 

after speaking with some of the people at stoptech on various occasions, i wouldn't think twice about recommending their product. these guys strive to make a perfect product

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Some more than others-

The Stoptech (brembo, too) price tag is strong, but the extra hats and rotor costs are what bug the crap out of me. It feels like they gotcha with the purchase, so lets now soak 'em for every penny.

Stoptech/ Brembo - $500 bucks for a spare set of rotors and a few hundred more for spare hats and hardware. We're talking $750-800 bucks for "spares"!

In this economy you'd think they'd be a bit more flexible... they ain't.

Anyone know anything about the Acura Brembo stuff????

I know speed costs money but damn. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You can contact Kingmotorsports or Real Time acura about the brmbo stuff. When Tran worked at Brembo in Charlotte, he said he pulled the brake set-ups and all the pricing. Would have cost me something like 5,000.00 for the ITR REALTIME brake set-up from Brembo.

so i got spoons, they work with factory backing plate.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I race the Exedy K20a powered ITR </TD></TR></TABLE>


you should talk to brembo and stoptech about racing a exedy brembo or exedy stoptech k20a powerd itr

or try some fancy 2 piece rotors like s2000 size with the big spoon s2000/dc5 calipers with some really gangster pads, i think spoon makes a light 2piece big rotor to use the big calipers.


plus the spoon calipers are really light weight, and probably run under 2k for the full spoon setup.


i know brembo has for forged billet calipers but $$$$$$$

 

by exedy brembo or exedy stoptech, i mean getting sponsored, try for just a discounted purchase price and free replacement parts, that would be a sweet deal for the cost of a few stickers

 

i would be intrested to hear about the draw backs of the spoons ? i dont run them just see alot of people with them and whats the biggest rotor you can run with them ?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by omiehomie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">john check this out!

http://endlessusa.com/category.php?c=brakecaliper</TD></TR></TABLE>

Those look nice, sure appears Endless produces a quality product.

Their "kit" prices are $2-300 bucks more than Stoptech. They're in my purchase range, however.

I take it Endless is big in Japan, does anyone 'race' with their BBK kit state-side?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GO-FIGHT-KILL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Have you considered Wilwood?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes and no.

Wilwood as a company has a long racing heritage and good rep.

My concerns are (from what other racers have have gone through) making them work. I have no interest in changing much of my OEM system. I want to use all the same Acura OEM plumbing, master, booster, ABS, etc. Also, I have zero interest in having to get custom fab brackets and things made. The OEM Acura stuff rocks and I'm not looking to screw it up.

Maybe I'm wrong and Wilwood offers a direct bolt-on kit, but at this point I've seen to many issues and one-off custom things out there.