Importparts is having a nice clearance sale on the aem big rotor kit and was wondering if having 13" rotors with stock calipers would really offer any increase in breaking performance? again assuimg that i know how to brake and have tires that can hold up

 

According to some of the local scca people, bigger brakes don't necessarily offer better braking. What they do offer is less brake fade due to more surface area. Looking at the ultimate street car challenge in sport compact car, the skyline had stock rotors but better pads while the viper had huge brakes, but they both stopped in basically the same distance. So, if you want better braking, just get better pads and fluid and maybe a set of brembo blanks. HTH

 

well thats kind of an odd comparison since the Viper is probably much heavier and needs more breaking force to bring it down

so for street use the big rotor kit is probably a waste of money huh

and then of course id need to fork over the dough for 17" wheels and tires too

 

Well, if memory serves me correctly, the viper is about 2 tons and the r34 is about 1.5-2 tons as well. I would say that the big brake kit is useless for the street because it won't necessarily stop you faster, but it'll look cooler, and since you don't already have 17" wheels, it'll be too much of a blow to your wallet if you don't get the results you want.

If you want to stop faster, just get the new pads, rotors, and brake fluid. In my car, I went from the stock pads with old dot 3 fluid to hawk hp+ pads and dot 4 fluid, and it feels like I took about 20 feet off of my 60-0.

 

well im gonna be putting in brembo drilled rotors and axxis ceramic pads as well as flushing all the old fluid and replacing with Valvoine SynPOwer DOT5

 

There have been some serious warping issues with the original AEM big rotors, since they use a two-piece iron rotor/aluminum hat design. It's a non-floating design, unlike those used in racing that are floating, and it's not the caliper I'm talking about. The non-floating design causes uneven heat distribution along the iron/aluminum interface, making it very prone to warping. I have a 4mm warp on one of them, so serious that it began jamming against the caliper frame. I have yet to talk to AEM about upgrading to the newer one piece design, but I won't go back to stock for long. Honda/Acura brakes in general are some of the most underengineered brakes I've ever used, and even a little spirited driving will see them fade quite heavily. I still have the AEM big rotors on the rear, and they have helped enough to be noticable, the big fronts were really nice until I had to take them off...

If you go with the AEM, make sure you get the one piece big rotors. As for the brake fluid, doesn't the DOT make for a spongy pedal?

 

That is not true they were just rumors. I have had them for a while and the are perfect under hard braking. An you can use a 16's with that kit

 

The only bonus you are gettting from the AEM Big Rotor OE Caliper Kit is you are getting a larger rotor. Which means you won't stop any faster, but will have less brake fade due to more mass to transfer the heat to.

IMHO, not worth it for street or track car when there are alot better upgrades. I.E. Fastbrakes SpecR 11" kit.