jmason
Go Kart Newbie
- Location
- Frederick, MD
I'm considering replacing my current brake setup. At this point, a Stoptech 355mm BBK is my first choice. Where I am undecided is whether or not I should change my setup at all, will the ST-40 BBK provide all the benefits that I am trying to achieve, or will I regret not going all the way to the ST-60?
Current setup: DD untuned GTI 6MT non-PP. 330mm 4-piston Brembo (with Hawk DTC-60 for track days). Brake ducts. Dust shield removed. ATE-200. 3 track events/year; may increase to 5/year. Tracks most driven are considered technical (many turns, lots of brake use).
What I'm trying to achieve: Longer pad life; good replacement parts availability; headroom for potential power increase; maintain F/R brake bias; shortened braking zone would be nice; no downsides to DD use.
The following is a list of pros, cons, and unknowns. Are there other considerations I have missed? Please provide comment on your experience.
Brembo Pros:
No issues with brake fade or soft pedal
Fits 17" wheel
Pads and rotors reasonably priced
Reasonable rotor life
F/R brake bias unaffected
Brembo Cons:
Limited sources for some replacement parts or not available at all
Rapid brake pad wear (replacement required after two track days with EBC Blue, Hawk DTC-60, or Pagid)
Limited to slotted or cross-drilled one-piece rotors
Rapid deterioration of piston dust boots due to heat (no hi-temp versions available; would require use of Ti shims to mitigate)
Can't fit brakelines such that they don't rub inside edge of barrel of 17" wheels at full steering lock
Brembo Unknowns:
Near performance limit, especially if I get a tune?
Is there better performance (shorter braking zone, better heat mitigation, longer pad life) to be had?
Piston seals near the end of their service life (no signs, just concerned)? Not clear if replacement is a DIY project.
Generic Stoptech Pros:
Larger rotor should provide better heat management and greater brake torque
Wider choice of replacement rotors then Brembo
Two-piece rotor lighter than one-piece
Caliper replacement parts readily available
High temp dust boots and pistons available (no need for Ti shims)
Generic Stoptech Cons:
Acquisition cost (up to $3k for new BBK)
Replacement rotors 50% more expensive than Brembo
Rotor replacement more involved (dismount/mount rotor on hat)
Requires 18" wheels (need to acquire, tires more expensive)
Generic Stoptech Unknowns:
Will replacement yield significantly better performance (shorter braking zone, better heat mitigation, longer pad life)?
Rotor life?
Al hat susceptible to corrosion from salt exposure in winter?
Easier caliper maintenance (can disassemble caliper to service pistons)?
Specific ST-40 Pros:
Pads comparably sized/priced to Brembo
F/R brake bias likely unaffected
Specific ST-40 Unknowns:
Are there sufficient advantages over Brembo to justify expense?
Specific ST-60 Pros:
Larger/thicker pad then either Brembo or ST-40
Specific ST-60 Cons:
Pads more expensive
Higher acquisition cost than ST-40
Caliper heavier than ST-40
Higher maintenance cost due to more pistons
Specific ST-60 Unknowns:
Anticipated longer pad life offset higher cost?
Are there sufficient advantages over ST-40 to justify expense?
Is heavier caliper an issue?
F/R brake bias effected?
Overkill?
Current setup: DD untuned GTI 6MT non-PP. 330mm 4-piston Brembo (with Hawk DTC-60 for track days). Brake ducts. Dust shield removed. ATE-200. 3 track events/year; may increase to 5/year. Tracks most driven are considered technical (many turns, lots of brake use).
What I'm trying to achieve: Longer pad life; good replacement parts availability; headroom for potential power increase; maintain F/R brake bias; shortened braking zone would be nice; no downsides to DD use.
The following is a list of pros, cons, and unknowns. Are there other considerations I have missed? Please provide comment on your experience.
Brembo Pros:
No issues with brake fade or soft pedal
Fits 17" wheel
Pads and rotors reasonably priced
Reasonable rotor life
F/R brake bias unaffected
Brembo Cons:
Limited sources for some replacement parts or not available at all
Rapid brake pad wear (replacement required after two track days with EBC Blue, Hawk DTC-60, or Pagid)
Limited to slotted or cross-drilled one-piece rotors
Rapid deterioration of piston dust boots due to heat (no hi-temp versions available; would require use of Ti shims to mitigate)
Can't fit brakelines such that they don't rub inside edge of barrel of 17" wheels at full steering lock
Brembo Unknowns:
Near performance limit, especially if I get a tune?
Is there better performance (shorter braking zone, better heat mitigation, longer pad life) to be had?
Piston seals near the end of their service life (no signs, just concerned)? Not clear if replacement is a DIY project.
Generic Stoptech Pros:
Larger rotor should provide better heat management and greater brake torque
Wider choice of replacement rotors then Brembo
Two-piece rotor lighter than one-piece
Caliper replacement parts readily available
High temp dust boots and pistons available (no need for Ti shims)
Generic Stoptech Cons:
Acquisition cost (up to $3k for new BBK)
Replacement rotors 50% more expensive than Brembo
Rotor replacement more involved (dismount/mount rotor on hat)
Requires 18" wheels (need to acquire, tires more expensive)
Generic Stoptech Unknowns:
Will replacement yield significantly better performance (shorter braking zone, better heat mitigation, longer pad life)?
Rotor life?
Al hat susceptible to corrosion from salt exposure in winter?
Easier caliper maintenance (can disassemble caliper to service pistons)?
Specific ST-40 Pros:
Pads comparably sized/priced to Brembo
F/R brake bias likely unaffected
Specific ST-40 Unknowns:
Are there sufficient advantages over Brembo to justify expense?
Specific ST-60 Pros:
Larger/thicker pad then either Brembo or ST-40
Specific ST-60 Cons:
Pads more expensive
Higher acquisition cost than ST-40
Caliper heavier than ST-40
Higher maintenance cost due to more pistons
Specific ST-60 Unknowns:
Anticipated longer pad life offset higher cost?
Are there sufficient advantages over ST-40 to justify expense?
Is heavier caliper an issue?
F/R brake bias effected?
Overkill?